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The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE 2FM star in floods of tears following Joe Duffy's final Liveline show as he cries ‘I'm in bits'
AN RTE 2FM star has been left in tears after listening to Joe Duffy's final Liveline show. Emotions ran high as the legendary host 2 Carl Mullan was left in floods of tears after Joe Duffy's final show Credit: Instagram 2 Carl shared a clip of his reaction on Instagram Credit: Instagram The emotional programme was filled with friends, fans and unforgettable past callers sharing their fond memories and praising Joe for being the "voice of the people". And "Love you all. It's been a privilege. Slán go fóill." Radio star , READ MORE IN CARL MULLAN The 2FM host took to Duffy 's farewell. In the video , the Dubliner's lip quivered as he listened to Joe's final statement. The dad-of-three held onto a whiskey glass as tears ran down his face. Carl dramatically shook his hands which made the ice in the glass clink. Most read in The Irish Sun He then lifted the whiskey and walked into the next room with a shocked look on his face as the tears continued to fall. The Joe Duffy bids farewell to listeners Carl captioned his clip: "Ah lads I'm in bits after that. WE LOVE YA JOE." Saddened fans all reacted to Carl's clip with similar emotion. Maggie wrote: "Ah a legend in his lifetime on 'BIG SHOES TO FILL' Tina said: "Couldn't listen, heartbroken." Bruce joked: "Big shoes to fill there Carl HA." Amanda remarked: "So emotional, he will be so missed. We love you Joe." While Lorna added: "I was the same Carl, tears were flowing." And Suzanne commented: "He's a legend."
Irish Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on radio in Ireland: Joe's Liveline made its mark
An era has come to an end with the retirement of Joe Duffy from Liveline. In a medium where presenters tend to come and go, his 27-year stint in the job was remarkable. 'Talk to Joe', that familiar voice intoned. And talk to Joe we did. About all manner of issues, from the most trivial to the most important social concerns. Liveline, initially presented by the late Marian Finucane, grew into a quintessentially Irish mix of light and shade – everything from uproar over the sex in Normal People to harrowing tales of the victims of institutional abuse and the moving stories of the children killed during the 1916 Rising. While Joe's show had its funny moments – its listeners showed an inexhaustible ability to find new and strange things to complain about – its real importance was in giving a voice to people who did not have one. And if something broke through thanks to the Liveline loudspeaker, people in power were forced to listen – and to act. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, in a contribution to Duffy's final show yesterday, spoke of how civil servants would often come running in to his office shouting: 'Liveline's gone mad, we've got to do this, that and the other'. It should not take a radio show to get 'the system' to respond to the needs of ordinary people. But all too often it does. In the early decades after independence, Irish radio played an important role in shaping modern Ireland's developing national identity. In more recent decades, shows such as those presented by Gay Byrne, Marian Finucane and Joe Duffy have themselves been conduits for, and participants in, the evolving national conversation in a country undergoing dramatic change and upheaval. READ MORE Just as the Late Late Show in its heyday was far more than light entertainment, these radio shows had a social and sometimes political importance that went far beyond their ostensible function as daytime talk radio. In an age when radio and television are challenged by technological change and profound shifts in how people stay informed, Liveline's enduring power is a real achievement.
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Joe Duffy not approached about running for Áras an Uachtaráin
Broadcaster Joe Duffy has said that he has not been approached to contest in the next presidential election. Mr Duffy was speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, after his final broadcast of the Liveline programme, which he presented for 27 years. He refused to answer when asked directly whether he was ruling out a presidential bid or not. "I had no idea when I chose today to leave that there would be lots of presidential talk in the air," he said. "I was president of Trinity students union, I still have the posters. I was president of the USI, I still have the posters, but my face has changed a lot, maybe my intellect isn't as strong as it used to be. "There's some great candidates already been mentioned [for the election], and by the way there was some great candidates before who didn't make it and that's the world we live in." He said that his departure from the Liveline programme "hasn't hit me yet", and that he feels similar to his listeners in losing a friend. "It was the listeners who made that programme, I was in the middle, I tried to mediate as best as I can and facilitate, but it was the listeners that rallied 'round and held hands and helped each other," Mr Duffy said. The broadcaster also said that RTÉ's main job was to make programmes. "We have to remind ourselves day after day, content, Irish programmes for Irish audiences, and stay focused on that." "Our job here in RTÉ, and the State through the licence fee help us enormously, our job in RTÉ is to make Irish programmes for Irish people. "And make them as unique and as entertaining and as educational and as political - not party political - as possible," he said.
Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Joe Duffy's last Liveline: A rare acerbic shot at the Taoiseach, then the fabled phone-in show goes full end-of-pier
With its controversial subjects, unpredictable callers and – not least – outspoken host, Liveline (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) has occasionally resembled an on-air circus during Joe Duffy 's stewardship. But as the broadcaster presents his final edition of the fabled phone-in programme on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere evokes light entertainment of a different kind: a variety show. Though broadcasting in front of a studio audience at Montrose's radio centre, Duffy sounds as if he should be MCing a cabaret night in the Braemor Rooms, circa 1978, as a succession of stand-ups, impressionists and musicians take to the stage to perform skits, impressions and classic songs. 'I recognise a lot of faces from Crimecall,' Duffy jokes, surveying the crowd. The only thing missing is the crash of a cymbal. The proceedings are opened by Camembert Quartet, the comic lounge act – 'back together at very little expense' – who have been a familiar fixture on Liveline's regular Funny Friday specials. It sets the tone for the show. Duffy, who remarks that he wasn't allowed into the studio until a couple of minutes before airtime, is then joined by his RTÉ colleague Brenda Donohue, who ebulliently introduces callers who have highlighted issues on the show in the past, from cuts to grants for breast-cancer survivors to menopause awareness. READ MORE Liveline: Joe Duffy presenting his farewell show in studio 1 at RTÉ Radio Centre. Photograph: Andres Poveda Taoiseach Micheál Martin phones in to thank Duffy for passing on tips when he was a student activist. 'You forgot them quick enough,' the broadcaster shoots back, introducing a rare acerbic note to the occasion. It's only a fleeting bump, however, with Duffy displaying his emotional awareness by remembering his encounters with the Taoiseach's late daughter, Léana. At this point the celebrations go full end-of-pier. The comedian June Rodgers delivers a string of corny one-liners in her guise as Oliver Bond, greeted by chuckles from Duffy and deafening silence from everyone else. This is followed by comic impersonations from Al Foran, Pakie O'Callaghan and – in recorded form – Duffy's fellow Radio 1 presenter Oliver Callan . The latter's gentle mockery of Duffy's on-air delivery is as witty as it is brief, a lesson not learned by all his comic peers. [ 'Dublin city centre is turning into an unadulterated kip': Joe Duffy's Liveline highlights Opens in new window ] The musical contributions are similarly eclectic. The Eurovision winner Paul Harrington performs a song by Leonard Cohen, one of Duffy's favourite musicians (which may help explain the presenter's often lugubrious demeanour). The participation of Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band speaks to Duffy's tireless championing of the emergency services – 'When we're having our worst day, you have to have your best day,' he comments – even if the band's massed drones probably sound more stirring at a street parade than on the radio. By the time Harrington delivers a spirited rendition of Wichita Lineman it's time to go, in every sense. While it was unlikely that Duffy would spend his last day fielding calls from the public, an afternoon of broad comedy and crowd-pleasing songs seems like an oddly prosaic and even bathetic way to bid farewell to a broadcaster famed for revealing the hidden secrets of Irish life. [ 'Love you all, it's been a privilege': Joe Duffy presents last Liveline as he retires from RTÉ Opens in new window ] But then finales are more about marking the occasion than breaking new ground – and Duffy has always been in tune with popular opinion rather than critical approval, whether tackling injustice or laughing his way through Funny Friday. In that sense it's an apposite way to bid goodbye. Talk will now inevitably turn to who will succeed him. Duffy reminds the audience that 'the Liveline will remain open', with Philip Boucher-Hayes assuming presenting duties next week. But in terms of pedigree, Duffy's regular stand-in Katie Hannon would seem to be the obvious candidate as permanent replacement. (Callan jokes to this effect in his skit.) That Hannon is departing her current-affairs TV show, Upfront, will surely cause her odds to shorten further. Equally, however, RTÉ recently advertised an 'expressions of interest' process for presenting jobs on Radio 1, suggests that the station might try to cast its net beyond the Montrose talent pool. [ Micheál Martin: 'You will always say you have the kids you lost' Opens in new window ] As for the man himself, Duffy is vague about his post-Liveline plans. But with a vacancy soon arising in Áras an Uachtaráin, his name has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. Speaking to Áine Lawlor on Morning Ireland earlier, Duffy brushes away the suggestion without quite categorically denying it: 'I will not lose the run of myself.' Even so, it seems fitting that his final show should end with his station colleague Shay Byrne reading out a letter from President Michael D Higgins , who commends Duffy for his empathy and commitment to giving voice to ordinary people. With the show running over time, Duffy himself doesn't get the opportunity for a long goodbye. But for the first time all afternoon, his succinct farewell greeting carries an authentically emotional charge. 'Love you all. It's been a privilege.' And with that the great ringmaster of Irish radio is gone.
The Journal
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
'Wash your hands': Joe Duffy revives Covid-era sign-off as he hangs up Liveline mic for final time
'THANK YOU FOR Being a Friend' opened Joe Duffy's last Liveline show today as a live band played to a live studio audience to bid farewell to the veteran broadcaster. Duffy signed off from RTÉ after 37 years on air, during which he became one of the most enduring and well-known voices in Irish media. He has hosted Liveline since 1998. He announced his departure in May after almost three decades of presenting the hit show, which, according to official figures this year, is regularly listened to by 305,000 people. The Camembert Quartet tweaked some of the lyrics of the famous tune as the show began. 'You'll write a book, or maybe three, but most of all you will be free from RTÉ' they sang. 'And the license fee,' Duffy chimed in. The Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band also dropped in to pay tribute to Duffy with a song, as well as a gift of a t-shirt, a patch that they wear on their uniform, and a commemorative coin. Joe Duffy with the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band. Andres Poveda Andres Poveda RTÉ Radio Centre's Studio One was full of people, including those working at the broadcaster and former guests who called in to 'Talk to Joe' over the years. One of those was Caroline Davis, who had called the show over proposed cuts to allowances for women who had breast cancer. 'Within being on the show, we got the allowance reversed back to the way it was to be,' she told Duffy. Advertisement 'But to let you know, Joe, we're really delighted to say that this year, the allowance has changed. It has been drastically increased, and people are now getting two bras every year. They're getting a prosthesis, a swimsuit and a swimming prosthesis, if required.' 'Voice for the voiceless' Musician Brush Shiels, who was also in the studio, said the story demonstrated 'the real Joe Duffy'. 'Looking after the ordinary people of Ireland who can get nothing done. He is a voice for the voiceless,' he said. Brush Shiels in Studio 1 during Joe Duffy's last Liveline. Andres Poveda Andres Poveda Show producer Brenda Donohue then told Duffy that there was a famous caller on the line. 'Hello Joe, how are you?' came the voice of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said he wanted to take the opportunity to thank him sincerely. You were and are the voice of the people. You're authentic, you gave to people a platform, and I think you never left your roots. 'Your working class background stood to you. The values that your parents and family gave to you, I think, were the reason why you were unique. You had a unique capacity to mediate between the people and authority and allow them to tell their stories.' Martin said he had learned a lot from Duffy who he had known since his student days, with their paths crossing later in life in West Cork as well. 'Your personal acts of kindness have always been quite extraordinary, and something that has touched our family quite a lot, because I think it's your kindness and your compassion rings through on the radio, but also in personal life.' 'Personal kindness' There was a touching moment when Duffy recalled swimming with Martin in West Cork, and said he had the pleasure of meeting his daughter Léana Martin there. Léana, who had a heart condition, died in 2010 when she was seven years old. 'One of the last great days we had with Léana was at the crab fishing competition at Courtmacsherry. Unknown to me, you took some beautiful photographs of Léana in my arms looking out at the pier there,' the Taoiseach said. 'You sent them on to me afterwards after Léana passed, and that's something Mary and I have always treasured, and we thank you. That's what I meant by your personal kindness.' Related Reads How Joe Duffy shut down head shops (and why all drugs were legalised for one weird day in 2015) Joe Duffy leaves window open on Áras run as he closes door on RTÉ career Joe Duffy presenting his final farewell. Andres Poveda Andres Poveda There was more music, with Paul Harrington performing Leonard Cohen's Song for Bernadette and Jimmy Webb's Wichita Lineman, and Claudia Boyle singing Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine from Showboat. Poet Bob Carley wrote a 'final mass' for Duffy, with the response 'Ahhhh'. 'Not for him, the good news, he's the king of the blues, of the morbid, the shock and the bleak. What a national treasure who, beyond any measure, could wreck your head week after week,' went one line from the poem. Tributes were also paid to Duffy from a cast of (impersonated) characters, from Danny Healy Rae, Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch and Michael D Higgins to Roy Keane, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. As the show wrapped up, presenter Shay Byrne read a letter from President Michael D Higgins which he said had been delivered to the studio by a member of the Defence Forces. Some of the letter read: 'As you prepare to take your leave from the national airwaves after so many years of dedicated service, may I, mar Uachtaráin na hÉireann, extend to you the warmest of thanks on behalf of the Irish people for your remarkable contribution to public life, one that you have shaped with empathy, insight and an unwavering commitment to the voices of ordinary people.' Duffy harked back to the days of the Covid-19 pandemic as the show came to an end by repeating a phrase he became known for at the time: 'Wash your hands'. Signing off, he said: 'That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands. 'Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... 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