Celebrity friends pay special tribute to beloved architect Hugh Wallace
Celebrity friends of Hugh Wallace, who passed away suddenly on Sunday night, paid special tribute to the beloved architect at a gathering in Newbridge Silverware this week.
Choking back tears, Hugh’s agent and devoted friend Aileen O’Brien told the gathering that Hugh had been due to attend the Newbridge Crustier lunch.
‘We can’t let today pass without paying very special tribute to a very special person,’ Aileen began. ‘Hugh Wallace, who we all know passed away suddenly this week, was actually supposed to be here today,’ she told the room.
Hugh Wallace. Pic: Animo TV
‘I was Hugh’s agent, but much more than that, he was my friend,’ said a clearly emotional Aileen.
‘Hugh loved life, he loved being in rooms like this, he would just light up every room with his gregarious personality.’
Personality and hotelier Noel Cunnigham joined in saying: ‘Hugh Wallace was larger than life, he loved and loved every minute of his life. He will be so dearly missed by everyone.’
Hugh Wallace. Pic: Tom Honan
RTÉ presenter and celebrity architect Hugh Wallace died ‘suddenly’ at the age of 68 on December 1, leaving his husband ‘heartbroken’.
The beloved Home of the Year judge passed away at his home in Dublin, with his husband of 13 years, Martin Corbett, announcing the news.
Martin wrote on social media: ‘It is with deep sadness and shock that I share the news that my beloved husband and soulmate, Hugh Wallace, passed away suddenly at home last night. I am heartbroken.
Hugh Wallace with his husband Martin Corbett. Pic: Instagram
Tributes flooded in from those who knew Hugh, with Lucy Kennedy writing: ‘I loved Hugh, so much fun always. I’m so sorry for your loss, Martin.’
James Patrice wrote: ‘This is such heartbreaking news. What a wonderful man,’ while Deric Ó h’Artagáin said: ‘Omg only out with you both on Saturday night at the HIV Ireland Red Ball. We laughed so much with Hugh. Such tragic news, RIP.’
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst also paid tribute to Hugh Wallace, who presented two shows on RTÉ: Home Of The Year and The Great House Revival, saying he was a ‘hugely popular figure with audiences and across the industry’.
Hugh Wallace. Pic: Instagram/Sara Cosgrove
He said: ‘On RTÉ’s hugely popular Home of the Year, Hugh, with his fellow judges, not only opened the door to the most extraordinary homes in Ireland, but he also inspired viewers to engage with the vast possibilities of innovative design.’
Mr Bankhurst continued: ‘Our thoughts are with his husband Martin, his family, his colleagues in Shinawil, Animo and RTÉ, and his many close associates for whom Hugh was a beloved colleague, inspiring mind, and the warmest of friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.’
As well as his work in television, Hugh led a busy architectural firm, Douglas Wallace Architects, of which he was a founding partner, and was a regular commentator on housing and design.
