Sky high memory for Gerry

Later this month a Mullingar man will be marking 30 years since he and his wife embarked on an adventure that took them into the stratosphere.

From erecting towering masts in the midlands to flying aboard the supersonic Concorde, Gerry Doran has lived a life shaped by instinct, innovation and an unshakable belief in his own expertise.

Now in his later years, speaking from his home in Mullingar, Gerry reflects on a career that spanned the early days of Irish broadcasting, the expansion of cable television, and the rapid technological shifts of the late 20th century.

“I always knew my game,” he says simply. “I knew my technical expertise, and I applied it.”

Having grown up in Castlepollard, Gerry began his career with RTÉ in the early 1970s, at a time when television technology was evolving quickly. Working in research and development, he quickly grew frustrated with the broadcaster’s reliance on external repairs.

“They were sending equipment back to England,” he recalls. “And I said, ‘Why are we doing this when we can repair it properly ourselves?’.”

With the backing of a senior engineer, he established an in-house workshop, an initiative that would prove both cost-effective and more reliable. “We did it better,” he says. “And we knew what we were doing.”

But security was never enough to hold him. Against his mother’s advice, Gerry left his permanent position to establish a cable television network in Mullingar. That was an ambitious move at a time when the medium was still in its infancy.

“She said, ‘You’re just like your father ‘why leave a permanent job?’,” Gerry laughs, “but I told her, ‘The difference is, this will work.’.”

His work saw him leave his home to take up a role in the UK with major telecommunications firms, including the North American company Videotron. Based in London from the late 1980s, Gerry’s line of work involved him in large-scale infrastructure projects around the English capital.

His technical knowledge made him a valuable asset in an industry undergoing constant transformation. That expertise brought him an unexpected opportunity. While attending a trade show in London in 1995, he entered a competition for a once-in-a-lifetime journey, what the organisers called a ‘Champagne Flight for Two on Concorde’.

That November a letter came in the post: he broke the news to his wife Maureen, and the couple got to stay in a hotel near Heathrow Airport before the supersonic flight.

“It was unbelievable,” he says, recalling the experience. “The plane went up to about 40,000 feet. You looked out and it was dark. No turbulence, nothing. Just smooth.”

Travelling at more than 2,000 miles per hour, the flight left a lasting impression. “Most people on board weren’t as excited,” he adds with a grin. “But I was thrilled. We had Champagne on board and a meal, I still have the menu.”Despite the glamour, Gerry remained grounded. “I was poor compared to them,” he says of his fellow passengers. “But I got it for nothing and I appreciated it.”

The final Concorde flight took place on November 26, 2003, a little over seven years after Gerry and Maureen enjoyed their Champagne sky experience. The final flight marked the end of the aircraft’s operations, concluding 27 years of supersonic service.

“I suppose I did feel a little sad when I heard about the last flight. It brought back memories. I was one of very few Irish people who had a chance to fly on Concorde.”

The Dorans’ time in London lasted nearly a decade, during which Gerry became involved in launching Tara Television, a venture that ultimately led to his departure from his employer due to a conflict of interest.

“They said I couldn’t be on both sides of the fence,” he explains. “So that was the end of that.”

Eventually, it was family life that brought him home. His wife, Maureen, grew homesick and the couple returned to Mullingar after nine years abroad.

“I could have stayed,” Gerry admits. “But she wanted to come home.” The transition back was not without its challenges. “I found it hard to adjust,” he says. “But I’ve made good friends since.”