Titan of Ulster journalism, Jim McDowell, to make final journey through heart of Belfast tomorrow
Jim McDowell is to make his final journey through heart of Belfast tomorrow, as the city bids farewell to a titan of Northern Irish journalism.
The former editor of the Sunday World, who got his start as a reporter with the News Letter, is to be laid to rest in St George’s Church on High Street – the oldest Church of Ireland place of worship in the city.
His funeral service will be held at 11am, followed by a private family service in Roselawn crematorium. The family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers to either Belfast City Centre Food Bank or the Welcome Organisation.
Speaking to the News Letter several years ago, he recalled a lifelong passion for the industry dating all the way back to his childhood. His father, a greyhound racing fanatic, bought all of Belfast’s main papers every morning to get coverage of the dogs.
Said Jim: “I fell in love with newsprint. Aside from the stories I just love the feel of a paper – the scent of the ink, the ink coming off on your fingers.”
Recalling the “real romance” of his time at the News Letter, the tough-minded hacks often working hard beats of the Troubles, he said: “I remember fondly those old days, the almighty rows and making up afterwards with pints of stout down at the old Duke of York.”
After the News Letter, Jim went on to become editor of its now-defunct sister paper, the Sunday News. In 1994 he set up the Ulster Press Agency, which he later ran in tandem with the Sunday World before taking over as the latter’s northern editor, a position he held for 25 years.
Aged 76, he passed away on April 24, survived by his wife and three children.