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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Gay Byrne will be Ireland's next president if he runs -- looks more and more likely that he will - VIDEO

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Gay Byrne will be Ireland's next president if he runs -- looks more and more likely that he will - VIDEO

Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 07:16 AM

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The news that Ireland's most famous broadcaster, Gay Byrne, will likely run for president of Ireland finally injects some real stature into the race.

Byrne is quite simply Ireland's greatest broadcaster, but much more, a champion of the little guy and girl and their concerns in Irish society.

His voice would be badly needed in a country where the divisions between have and have-nots have never been more evident.

Sure he is now 77, an age when most people are considering the quiet places and withdrawal from public life, but Byrne has never fitted that mold.

He has expressed his interest in running and will decide this weekend by all accounts.

My money is on him running.

If he does I think he will easily win.

His impact on Irish society is hard to imagine in these days of multiple media voices and outlets.

Way back in 1986 or so I was invited on 'The Late Late show' in Dublin to talk about my new magazine Irish America and about illegal Irish emigration - yes, it was happening even then.

It was like an invitation from Mount Olympus. Gay Byrne the host was the Johnny Carson of his day but much more. He tackled the kind of topics Irish people were only trying to get to grips with.

A well known politician remarked in the 1970s that there was no sex in Ireland before television.

He was referring to 'The Late Late Show' which was the first to broach topics such as divorce, naughty sex issues such as honeymoon quizzes which drove the clergy mad and deep social issues that were only surfacing in Ireland at the time.

My mother rarely asserted herself in my house, with four sons and three daughters but on Saturday night, despite her sons thirsting for "Match of the Day" soccer highlights on the BBC she insisted on "The Late Late Show" and woe betide anyone who switched the channel

Byrne was brave and fearless and his show was incredibly popular, especially among women

It was so popular that my mother wouldn't watch me on the show that night long ago she was so nervous. Gay Byrne was simply her God and her son being on his program was an incredible source of pride.

To the day she died she put it right up there with introducing her to President Bill Clinton which I did a few years later.

The following day after being on the show I remember going to a race meeting and perfect strangers coming up by the dozen and shaking my hand . "The Late Late Show" was Ireland's community gathering where, before cable and myriad stations simply everyone listen in.

After he retired from "The Late Late", Byrne hosted a radio show which became a voice for the forgotten in Ireland, where housewives poured out their problems with drunken husbands, errant children and much more.

If Byrne runs he will draw on that massive residue of support from ordinary people he has retained after all these years.

It is hard to see anyone else in the field defeating him.

If he runs we are almost certainly looking at President Byrne. Ireland could do an awful lot worse.

Listen to Niall O’Dowd on Ireland’s Newstalk 106 on In Discussion with Eamon Dunphy here (31st July and 7th August)

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Towngate | Aug 14, 2011, 12:07 PM EDT

Niall, a chara: Great news from Dublin today that Byrne is not to stand ~ citing 'undisclosed reasons' - ' but I might tell you later...' Ireland has had a lucky escape. ... Next!

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themurphia | Aug 14, 2011, 07:16 AM EDT

God! the FF'ers are really having to scrape the bottom of the pork barrel...next thing they'll be considering some oul Grubb Street hack...!

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themurphia | Aug 13, 2011, 03:07 PM EDT

The kiss of death on yet another of your dead certs...!

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themurphia | Aug 12, 2011, 04:58 AM EDT

superfluous apostrophe mea culpa...!Think I've got typomyopia..!

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themurphia | Aug 12, 2011, 04:56 AM EDT

If Gabriel Mary Byrne is elected not only will Ireland have a Gay as President for the first time but also it's third (Hail) Mary...I wrote elsewhere about some of the cringingly embarrassing Late Late Shows...I forgot to mention the insulting sneering derisory introduction when the Pogues appeared at the height of their pomp...I consider Shane MacGowan one of Ireland's greatest ever poets and lyricists...He also tells the emigrant story powerfully..I love the rumbunctious stuff but 'Rainy Night in Soho' is a heartbreaker and as Brendan Behan might have said it would be impertinent to praise 'Fairytale of New York'...gets me everytime...even if there was a bit of artistic license...!The hilarious thing about the vidjo was Shane's attempt to play the role of the main protagonist..!True London Irish...the Diaspora a different class....!

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AengusOg | Aug 11, 2011, 09:59 PM EDT

Isn't a media wonk simply a parasite, living off commenting on the decisions of others? How can someone who has never had to make a tough decision in her/his life be elected chief decision maker of an entire nation?

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peterson | Aug 11, 2011, 08:59 PM EDT

Ireland can use a President that has a sense of humor and the years of knowledge he possesses.

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eiriamach | Aug 11, 2011, 12:37 PM EDT

As an American, I know I don't have any say in this election. But I sense the shade of Hollywood star Ronald Reagan hovering over the Gay Byrne agenda, and I cannot forget the galling cosiness between Reagan and Margaret [expletive deleted] Thatcher. Celebrities stumble in politics-- take it from an American-- butlerreport has it right!

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hyattsville | Aug 11, 2011, 12:25 PM EDT

It’s a nice thought if a little sentimental and impractical. Criteria states that candidates must be over 35 years of age but doesn’t set a limit. For many reasons I think that it should be capped at 70, which I suppose would also prevent Michael D from running. I also think that the best candidate would be someone with experience in public office or someone who as previously served as Ambassador/Chief of Mission on behalf of Ireland.

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RedBranch | Aug 11, 2011, 11:53 AM EDT

Roll it (over) Roisheen. Gaybo who used to play second fiddle on Donahue for a few years as president, I don't think so. As I've said before Niall, YOU are the only man to run for the post.

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Towngate | Aug 11, 2011, 11:52 AM EDT

Niall, a chara: Weiner = Bust! Cowan = Bust! Your Irish Presidential Hopes = Bust! Norris = Bust! Obama = (watch this space!) Gay Byrne = (surely the Irish ar not THAT stupid? His opponents will object that his RTE and connections are giving him an unfair advantage...) ....Oh dear,Niall, I hope your horses run better for you than your politicians! Slainte!

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cillowen | Aug 11, 2011, 11:01 AM EDT

oh no another gay

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nobumchumsforpr | Aug 11, 2011, 10:23 AM EDT

At least this Gay is not gay, so thats something...

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nicgearailt | Aug 11, 2011, 10:21 AM EDT

If Ireland is unable to come up with a better candidate for President...an electable candidate it is not good. This guy has always seemed very insincere.I do not like him at all.However ,if he is endorsed by the Fianna Fail party...lets see what happens.Niall ..you must acknowledge, that you may be biased,as you were invited on the show...and your Mom was a big fan...that was nice.I note that he is ahead in the polls.To get to be a candidate for the office,you have to pass the regulations set up by the parties.That does not seem fair to me,as it removes many very qualified people from having the opportunity to run.It is not a level playing field.That reveals the political aspect of this exercise. I agree with butlerreport..we can do better.

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aoibhinn | Aug 11, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT

God help us. I'M a housewife and CANNOT STAND HIM.

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