Gay Byrne will be Ireland's next president if he runs -- looks more and more likely that he will - VIDEO
By: Niall O'Dowd | Published Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 2:42 PM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:27 PM
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.
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!
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...!
themurphia | Aug 13, 2011, 03:07 PM EDT
The kiss of death on yet another of your dead certs...!
themurphia | Aug 12, 2011, 04:58 AM EDT
superfluous apostrophe mea culpa...!Think I've got typomyopia..!
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....!
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?
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
cillowen | Aug 11, 2011, 11:01 AM EDT
oh no another gay
nobumchumsforpr | Aug 11, 2011, 10:23 AM EDT
At least this Gay is not gay, so thats something...
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.
aoibhinn | Aug 11, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT
God help us. I'M a housewife and CANNOT STAND HIM.
WoundedKnee | Aug 11, 2011, 10:16 AM EDT
From what I hear, this guy Byrne is in it for the money. Job pays more than Obama gets.
LoyalCitizen | Aug 11, 2011, 09:48 AM EDT
Getting it wrong again, Mr O'Dowd. You will be no good at the Galway Tent in the future. The people will boycott this so called election and demonstrate they're contempt for the scum running Ireland.
themurphia | Aug 11, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT
'An Irish solution to an Irish problem'..I think I've rumbled a cunning plan here Niall...every candidate you 'endorse' is spectacularly knocked off his... so far they've all been male middle class and men/opausal...pedestal...!
antoman | Aug 11, 2011, 09:38 AM EDT
Sure tis as easy to boil ten eggs as it is to boil one.I know.Why don't we take a few other Irish celebrities in their seventies and bang them in the Aras...with Gay?There's a huge bed with its own roof and curtains hanging down the side upstairs.Sure you get three of them into that.
franner | Aug 11, 2011, 09:30 AM EDT
Gimme a bucket, Niall. Ireland has moved on rapidly since those Late Late 'pre-sex' days. And I hardly think Gay has a clue about how the "little guy & girl" lives. No more than the rest of them.
butlerreport | Aug 11, 2011, 09:18 AM EDT
An entertainer yes. A president no.
themurphia | Aug 11, 2011, 07:57 AM EDT
'Exoirah and Deloirah' are yeh Niall?...Gaybo/re may well have been the 'housewives choice' back in the day...when conservative Catholic Ireland was the National Demographic (geddit?)...Of course those who will be voting are essentially the same social and political group...Conservative Catholics... The grey vote...those who grew up and grew old with old smarmy...the privileged citizens not disenfranchised by reason of economic migration... It's good that SF have finally woken up and put this item on the Political agenda...I see the 'Independent' candidate is not so politically neutral/independent after all if today's headlines are anything to go by...As the saying goes a camel is a horse designed by a committee..looks like the same might be said of the Presidential Election which is rapidly descending into farce...If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny...Is there really no candidate of calibre in that benighted country...?
Towngate | Aug 11, 2011, 07:22 AM EDT
Niall, a chara: I'm afraid I see signs of cronyism for past favours in your post here. The "Mammies na hEireann" may have loved him and they provided him with a good living. However, in all his long years on the air, he failed to warn his followers of the impending doom facing Ireland. Indeed, he signally failed to see it coming and avoid the pitfalls himself! This is what is prompting him now to go fishing for this 'cushy number'. I sympathise with his personal losses, which he may attribute to 'Europe', but if elected, he will Preside over a Country which today is only functioning on money borrowed from them; ~ including (possibly) his own ridiculously high Presidential Salary!
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.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!
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...!
themurphia | Aug 13, 2011, 03:07 PM EDT
The kiss of death on yet another of your dead certs...!
themurphia | Aug 12, 2011, 04:58 AM EDT
superfluous apostrophe mea culpa...!Think I've got typomyopia..!
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....!
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?
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
cillowen | Aug 11, 2011, 11:01 AM EDT
oh no another gay
nobumchumsforpr | Aug 11, 2011, 10:23 AM EDT
At least this Gay is not gay, so thats something...
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.
aoibhinn | Aug 11, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT
God help us. I'M a housewife and CANNOT STAND HIM.
WoundedKnee | Aug 11, 2011, 10:16 AM EDT
From what I hear, this guy Byrne is in it for the money. Job pays more than Obama gets.
LoyalCitizen | Aug 11, 2011, 09:48 AM EDT
Getting it wrong again, Mr O'Dowd. You will be no good at the Galway Tent in the future. The people will boycott this so called election and demonstrate they're contempt for the scum running Ireland.
themurphia | Aug 11, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT
'An Irish solution to an Irish problem'..I think I've rumbled a cunning plan here Niall...every candidate you 'endorse' is spectacularly knocked off his... so far they've all been male middle class and men/opausal...pedestal...!
antoman | Aug 11, 2011, 09:38 AM EDT
Sure tis as easy to boil ten eggs as it is to boil one.I know.Why don't we take a few other Irish celebrities in their seventies and bang them in the Aras...with Gay?There's a huge bed with its own roof and curtains hanging down the side upstairs.Sure you get three of them into that.
franner | Aug 11, 2011, 09:30 AM EDT
Gimme a bucket, Niall. Ireland has moved on rapidly since those Late Late 'pre-sex' days. And I hardly think Gay has a clue about how the "little guy & girl" lives. No more than the rest of them.
butlerreport | Aug 11, 2011, 09:18 AM EDT
An entertainer yes. A president no.
themurphia | Aug 11, 2011, 07:57 AM EDT
'Exoirah and Deloirah' are yeh Niall?...Gaybo/re may well have been the 'housewives choice' back in the day...when conservative Catholic Ireland was the National Demographic (geddit?)...Of course those who will be voting are essentially the same social and political group...Conservative Catholics... The grey vote...those who grew up and grew old with old smarmy...the privileged citizens not disenfranchised by reason of economic migration... It's good that SF have finally woken up and put this item on the Political agenda...I see the 'Independent' candidate is not so politically neutral/independent after all if today's headlines are anything to go by...As the saying goes a camel is a horse designed by a committee..looks like the same might be said of the Presidential Election which is rapidly descending into farce...If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny...Is there really no candidate of calibre in that benighted country...?
Towngate | Aug 11, 2011, 07:22 AM EDT
Niall, a chara: I'm afraid I see signs of cronyism for past favours in your post here. The "Mammies na hEireann" may have loved him and they provided him with a good living. However, in all his long years on the air, he failed to warn his followers of the impending doom facing Ireland. Indeed, he signally failed to see it coming and avoid the pitfalls himself! This is what is prompting him now to go fishing for this 'cushy number'. I sympathise with his personal losses, which he may attribute to 'Europe', but if elected, he will Preside over a Country which today is only functioning on money borrowed from them; ~ including (possibly) his own ridiculously high Presidential Salary!