| Gay Byrne | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 August 1934 [1] Dublin, Ireland |
| Residence | Sandymount |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Other names | Gaybo[2] Uncle Gaybo[1] |
| Education | Rialto National School, Synge Street CBS, Honorary doctorate in literature from Trinity College Dublin (1988)[1] |
| Occupation | Broadcaster of radio and television |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Employer | RTÉ |
| Notable works | The Late Late Show, The Gay Byrne Show, The Meaning of Life |
| Board member of | Chairman of the Road Safety Authority (2006–) |
| Spouse(s) | Kathleen Watkins (1964–present) |
| Children | Suzy, Crona[1] |
Gabriel Mary "Gay" Byrne (born August 5, 1934; affectionately known as "Gaybo"[2] or "Uncle Gaybo"[1]) is a veteran Irish presenter of radio and television. His most notable role was first host of The Late Late Show over a 37-year period spanning 1962 until 1999.[3] His time working abroad with Granada Television saw him become the first person to introduce The Beatles on screen.
From 1973 until 1998, Byrne presented The Gay Byrne Hour—later The Gay Byrne Show when it expanded to two hours—on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning. Since "retiring" from his long-running radio and television shows Byrne has presented several other shows, including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Big Class Reunion, The Gay Byrne Music Show, Make 'Em Laugh, Gaybo's Grumpy Men and The Meaning of Life on RTÉ One and Sunday Serenade/Sunday with Gay Byrne on RTÉ lyric fm. In 2006 he was elected Chairman of Ireland's Road Safety Authority. Since retiring he has become the "Elder Lemon of Irish broadcasting".[4]
Byrne is credited with being a catalyst in the transformation of Irish society since the 1960s.[5] He has broken several Irish social taboos by discussing topics like contraception, homosexuality, and abortion and is considered "a catalyst for social change".[6] When Barry Galvin, then as Cork's state solicitor, appeared on The Late Late Show with Gay Byrne in 1992 to speak of the increasing problems Ireland was experiencing with the illegal drug trade, he was subsequently given the post of first ever head of the important Criminal Assets Bureau.[6] Byrne is, alongside Terry Wogan, one of Ireland's two most notable broadcasters,[7] but also described as "the most famous Irish broadcaster in history",[2] lauded by the media as "the man who changed Ireland".[6]
According to the Irish Examiner, Gay Byrne has "had more influence on changing life in this country than any of the political leaders", including Taoisigh W. T. Cosgrave, Éamon de Valera and John A. Costello as well as John Charles McQuaid, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland for over 30 years.[6] A 1998 poll found Byrne level with notorious former Taoiseach Charles Haughey as the most hated public figure in Ireland but Byrne was also named the most popular public figure in the same poll.[6] In 2010 The Irish Times said Byrne was "unquestionably the most influential radio and television man in the history of the Irish State".[1]
Contents |
Byrne is the son of Edward Byrne. Edward Byrne joined the Irish volunteers in 1912[citation needed], and subsequently joined the 19th Hussars, Infantry Division, when World War I (1914–1918) broke out. He later fought during the Irish War of Independence. He fought throughout most of the War, including at O'Connell Street.[8] Shortly after the War, Edward Byrne was employed by Guinness' St. James's Gate Brewery where he worked for most of the rest of his life. He worked on the barges that operated on the river Liffey, transporting wooden casks from St. James's Gate Brewery to ships at the North Wall, Dublin.[9] Edward Byrne was the son of Alexander Byrne, a coachman to the Earl of Meath, who lived at a lodge on the Earl's estate near Kilruddery, County Wicklow.[8]
Byrne's father, Edward, married his mother, Annie Carroll (from Bray), at Belfast, in 1917, when briefly home on leave from the War. The two had met near Bray just before the War began. Gay Byrne is the youngest of six children from that marriage. However, one child, his brother Joseph, died as a one-week old infant. Listed in descending order (according to age), the other children are Edward, Al, Ernest, and Mary.
Byrne was born and grew up in Dublin. He was born 5 August 1934.[10][11] He first lived with his family at 17 Rialto Street, Rialto, Dublin, before his parent's moved to 124 (later renumbered 512) South Circular Road, Dublin, in 1944.
Byrne attended Rialto National School (since closed) and a number of other schools for short periods. Subsequently, he was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers at Synge Street CBS.[12] Himself and two classmates bought a Jazz record when Byrne was fourteen years old in January 1938, at a time when Radio Éireann refused to play it due to its "licentious" content.[1]
After attending Synge Street CBS he worked at the North Strand cinema.[citation needed] He subsequently became a clerk in an insurance company.[citation needed] He then worked as a sales representative.[citation needed] He also met foreign dignitaries at Dublin Airport, and welcomed them to Ireland.[citation needed] In 2009, whilst celebrating the 250th anniversary of Guinness, he revealed that he had once tried unsuccessfully to earn a job in the brewery near his childhood home.[13]
Byrne's mother, Annie, died in late 1964.[14]
Whilst young, Byrne was inspired by the broadcaster Eamonn Andrews, who had a successful career on British television, and "wanted to be what he was".[15] Andrews was friendly with Byrne's eldest brother.[2] In 1958 he moved over to broadcasting when he became a presenter on Radio Éireann. He also worked with Granada Television and the BBC in England. Whilst at Granada, Byrne became the first person to introduce The Beatles on television when they made their small screen debut on local news programme People and Places.[1]
In 1961, Telefís Éireann (later Radio Telefís Éireann and now Raidió Teilifís Éireann) was set up. He finally worked exclusively for the new Irish service after 1969. He introduced many popular programmes, with his most popular and successful programme being The Late Late Show.
Byrne began his broadcasting career on radio.
Radio Éireann gave him a 15-minute slot on Monday nights which he used to play Jazz, his first broadcast for the staion being in 1958.[1]
He is now best remembered for his two hour morning show, The Gay Byrne Hour, which was later renamed The Gay Byrne Show (1972–1999). For many years the show was produced by John Caden. Joe Duffy was a reporter on The Gay Byrne Show and subsequently succeeded him as presenter.
He continues to play Jazz on radio during his retirement.[1]
“Anonymous, private people to whom something extraordinary had happened whether it was falling out of an aeroplane or escaping from a burning building or a sinking ship and who had the capacity to tell the story and that was always a sure-fire recipe for arresting people's attention.”
On 5 July 1962, the first episode of the The Late Late Show was aired on Irish television.[1] Originally the show was scheduled as an eight-week summer filler. The programme, which is still broadcast, has become the world's longest running chat show. The show became a forum where controversial topics such as the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, contraception,[1] AIDS, unemployment, homosexuality,[1] abortion, divorce, and other hitherto taboo subjects were discussed openly in Ireland, alongside book reviews, celebrity visits, and music acts like The Boomtown Rats, U2, Sinéad O'Connor, Elkie Brooks ,Boyzone, and Noel Gallagher. Other guests included Presidents of Ireland, successive Archbishops of Armagh, minor members of the British Royal Family, politicians, actors, authors and countless others.
The show had much to do in shaping the new Ireland that was emerging from the 1960s. Indeed it was famously said by politician and Papal Knight, Oliver J. Flanagan that, "there was no sex[17] in Ireland until Teilifís Éireann went on the air".[18] Bishop of Galway Michael Browne called him "a purveyor of filth" after asking a female if she had worn anything on her wedding night.[1] However, Byrne saw himself as a presenter, not a radical social reformer, though his style was more challenging and less deferential than the style of his heir as presenter of The Late Late Show, Pat Kenny.[19]
More than a decade after departing his role as host of The Late Late Show Byrne is remembered for conducting memorable interviews with former politician Pádraig Flynn and then Bishop of Galway Eamon Casey's lover Annie Murphy, among others.[1] Another memorable moment to occur on The Late Late Show was when he called the winner of a prize car live on air only to discover the woman's daughter had died since she had entered.[1]
During the early years of Byrne's time hosting The Late Late Show, prior to about 1978 when the second national Irish TV channel was launched, he was employed by RTÉ on a continuously renewing 3-month contract, lest his employer might want to fire him any time they choose.[20]
Byrne and The Late Late Show were central to the development of the careers of figures such as Mary Coughlan.[21]
He was noted for wearing a "Bing Crosby sweater" when presenting The Late Late Toy Show.[1]
On 21 May 1999, Byrne presented his last edition of The Late Late Show. He was presented with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle by Bono and Larry Mullen, Jr.[1] Pat Kenny succeeded Byrne as presenter in September 1999, eventually being replaced by Ryan Tubridy in September 2009. He gave Tubridy his blessing upon taking over the role, saying: "He has all the qualities required, the light deft touch together with a serious mind. I think it's a great adventure that he's setting off on".[16] Byrne returned to The Late Late Show as a guest during Tubridy's first season as presenter.[22]
Byrne compered the finals of the Castlebar Song Contest in 1966 and 1967. He also presented The Rose of Tralee festival for 17 years until 1994. Between 1988 and 2001, Byrne hosted the RTÉ People in Need Telethon several times.
Byrne was involved in a famous television moment with colleague Mike Murphy when a disguised Murphy conned him into believing he was a French tourist.[1]
Byrne published his autobiography co-written with Deirdre Purcell.[23]
Byrne has not completely retired and continues to feature occasionally on radio and television. He hosted for one season, the Irish version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He also hosted The Gay Byrne Music Show and Make 'Em Laugh, a series about comedy in Ireland, Gaybo's Grumpy Men and a series Class Reunion.
In April 2009, RTÉ One began broadcasting a series called The Meaning of Life during which Gay Byrne interviewed public figures about issues of meaning and life.[24] He prefers not to discuss his own faith:
| “ | I am not going to say, because it would compromise me in terms of the show if people knew I had a position. What you find is that they are all searching. No one has the truth.[1] | ” |
In March 2006, Byrne was appointed as the Chairman of the Irish Road Safety Authority,[25][26][27] a public body given the task of improving road safety in the Republic of Ireland. The role has seen him visit hospitalised survivors alongside President of Ireland Mary McAleese.[28] In retirement Byrne has continued to make his political views known, including questioning Brian Cowen and "whether you can be Taoiseach and still sit up and have a pint in the local pub. You have to dignify the office".[29] Bookmakers suggested he might become Mayor of Dublin.[30]
In December 2009, Byrne returned to his old primary school on Dublin's Synge Street to launch an online children's book club.[12] He read an extract from Marita Conlon-McKenna's storybook In Deep Dark Wood.[12]
Byrne has featured on radio occasionally during his retirement; in 2006[citation needed] he began presenting a weekly Sunday afternoon show entitled Sunday Serenade on RTÉ lyric fm. In 2010 he can be heard playing Jazz on Sunday afternoons on lyric fm.[1] This show began after an encounter with Head of lyric fm Aodán Ó Dubhghaill at the National Concert Hall.[1] Sunday with Gay Byrne attracted 55,000 listeners through "word of mouth": no advertising and no mention in the RTÉ Guide.[1] Byrne once commented on the emptiness of RTÉ at this time of the week:
| “ | As soon as Marion finishes at one [o' clock], there is a clear-out. There are a couple of fellas down the corridor doing sport, and that is about it. You have the place to yourself and it is wonderful".[1] | ” |
Byrne is married to Kathleen Watkins,[31][32] formerly a well-known harpist. Byrne first met Kathleen Watkins in 1957. They married in 1964.[33][1] The couple have two daughters (both adopted).[34] They are both called Suzy and Crona.[1] The Byrne family initially lived on Howth Head in Dublin but later moved to Sandymount in Dublin.
Byrne became a grandfather on September 15, 2004 when Suzie gave birth to a boy at Holles Street Hospital.[35]
Byrne relied on an accountant friend, Russell Murphy, to manage his finances, and was personally distraught when upon the accountant's death in 1986, it was found that most of his savings had been squandered, and this had been hidden from him. [36]
His interests include Jazz.[1]
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ----- |
Host of The Late Late Show 6 July 1962 – 21 May 1968 |
Succeeded by Frank Hall |
| Preceded by Frank Hall |
Host of The Late Late Show September 1969 – 21 May 1999 |
Succeeded by Pat Kenny |
| Preceded by N/A |
Host of The Rose of Tralee 1978 – 1994 |
Succeeded by Derek Davis |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
   | NSC - Road Safety Authority Home Page |
| | BBC News - BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Lifetime award for TV's Gay Byrne |
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Facts
Map
Search
