In Memoriam: Avril MacRory

Former IMZ President, Head of BBC Music Programmes, and founder of Silverapples Media has passed away on 14 July at the age 69.

MacRory began her career in 1979 as a trainee producer at RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster. Her first major breakthrough came when she was chosen to direct the first 34 episodes of the new Irish drama Glenroe.

She then served as commissioning editor for music at Channel 4 for four years, followed by five years as head of music programmes at the BBC. There, she managed projects like the BBC’s global Millennium Event, a 28-hour live broadcast watched by over 2.7 billion people in 125 countries. During this time MacRory served as IMZ President for two consecutive terms, from 1992 to 1998. Subsequently, she took on the role of co-executive producer of the Global Broadcaster Consortium from 1998 to 2000.

Music was a lifelong companion in MacRory’s career and personal life. A skilled harpist, cellist, and pianist, she toured in the 1970s with artists such as Rory Gallagher, Clannad, and Paul Brady, later producing programmes with many of them.

She will be remembered as a trailblazer who not only shaped the industry but also paved the way for those who followed.