Michael Viney facts for kids

Michael Viney (born February 6, 1933 – died May 30, 2023) was a talented Irish artist, writer, and journalist. He was born in Britain but lived most of his life in Ireland. He was famous for writing about nature, and his articles appeared in The Irish Times newspaper starting in 1962. He was also a member of the Royal Irish Academy, a group of top experts in Ireland.

Early Life and First Jobs

Michael Viney was born in Brighton, England, on February 6, 1933. His parents owned a cafe. Even though he really wanted to be an artist, he started working at a newspaper called the Brighton and Hove Herald when he was just 16. After that, he worked for a few other newspapers and magazines.

In 1962, he decided to take a break from work and moved to a place called Tully Cross in Connemara, Ireland. He loved it so much that he decided to stay in Ireland for good. He started writing articles for The Irish Times as a freelance writer, meaning he wasn't a full-time employee. Later, he became a regular journalist for the newspaper.

Career Highlights

Working with The Irish Times and RTÉ

In the 1960s, Michael Viney wrote many articles for The Irish Times. He focused on important social issues, like how people in special care homes were being treated.

He also started working at RTÉ Television, which is Ireland's national TV station. He presented shows that talked about social issues, consumer advice, and topics for families and homes. He even trained to become a TV director and later became a production editor in 1976.

Moving to County Mayo

In 1977, Michael Viney, his wife Ethna, and their daughter left Dublin. They wanted a simpler life and moved to their holiday home in County Mayo. This home was in a peaceful area called Thallabawn, Murrisk, close to the coast near Louisburgh.

Writing About Nature

From 1977, Michael Viney wrote a weekly column for The Irish Times called "Another Life." At first, his column talked a lot about how to live in a way that protects the environment, which is called sustainability. Over time, he started writing more about natural history, sharing amazing facts and stories about plants, animals, and the natural world. His very last column was published in February 2023.

Personal Life and Recognition

Michael Viney married Ethna McManus in 1965, and they had one daughter. He passed away on May 30, 2023, when he was 90 years old.

In 1966, Michael Viney won a special award called a Jacob's Award. He received it for a TV show he made for RTÉ called Too Many Children. This show was a documentary, which means it was a non-fiction film about real events.

He was also a member of Aosdána, which is a special group in Ireland for very talented artists. In May 2017, he was chosen to be a member of the Royal Irish Academy, which is a big honor for people who have done great things in science or learning.