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Gay Byrne, public service broadcaster to the core


AN APPRECIATION By Séamus Dooley


Louis Armstrong once said of jazz, "If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know.” Gay Byrne loved jazz and he held a special place in his heart for Satchmo. They shared a sunny disposition, a wonderful ability to look on the bright side of life, even in dark days, and an ability to bring joy to large audiences. When I think of public service broadcasting I think of Gaybo. It’s hard to describe exactly what it is but when we think of the very best of public service broadcasting we think of programmes which challenge, which provoke, which entertain, and which frequently make a difference. In his long career Gay Byrne did all that, and so much more.


His death, after a long illness, really does mark the end of an era and comes at a difficult time for RTÉ, which he served so faithfully but never uncritically.


Gay was in many ways the father of public


service broadcasting in Ireland. A broadcaster of courage, vison and boundless energy he helped shape modern Ireland and used his talents to help create a more caring, compassionate, and inclusive society.


He was often infuriating, annoying, and


provocative, but Gay was never dull. In his career he brought light, laughter, and humanity to television and radio debates. It would be impossible to agree with everything he said or did – he was innately conservative and he rode a few hobby horses – but you could never doubt the sincerity of his convictions. Gay believed in the precepts of public service


broadcasting and his passion for RTÉ was reflected in every aspect of his career: from his early radio career, to the Late Late Show, his pioneering morning radio programme to his


Never dull: the late Gay Byrne


wonderful Sunday music and musings on Lyric FM. He especially enjoyed Lyric FM and the opportunity to share his love and knowledge of his beloved jazz. In his biography, The Time of My Life, he wrote


tongue-in-cheek about RTÉ head honchos in the administration block (which he referred to as The Hilton), who seemed to feel everything would be all right if only they did not have to deal with programme makers and the like! He was also a strong advocate for public funding of public servicing broadcasting while respecting commercial competitors. We in the NUJ were proud of his membership


of the union – he remained a fully paid up member throughout his life. He encountered opposition when he first set about joining the union and there were those who viewed him as an entertainer rather than a serious journalist. Gaybo was a man for all seasons and made a fine contribution to print journalism as a newspaper columnist. The best way to salute Gay’s legacy is to


protect public service broadcasting. He was, above all else, a public service broadcaster to the core. We extend condolences to Kathleen,


daughters Suzy, Crona, grandson Cian and to his many friends and colleagues.


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