End of an era as Joe Duffy to close out 37-year radio career with final Liveline show today
RADIO VETERAN JOE Duffy will present his final Liveline episode today, bringing an end to a 37-year career in radio broadcasting at RTÉ.
The Ballyfermot native announced his departure in May after almost three decades of presenting the hit show, which, according to official figures for 2025, is regularly listened to by 305,000 people.
The iconic voice in Irish radio has been described by show producer Brenda Donohue as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' broadcaster.
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Hailing from a working class background, Duffy became one of the first from his locality to attend Trinity College, where he studied social work, and was actively involved in student politics before serving as President of the Union of Students in Ireland.
During his announcement in May, Duffy thanked Liveline listeners for the 'honour' of presenting for them every day.
'People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories, sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories,' Duffy said.
'I never took that for granted, not for a single minute. RTÉ has been a great place to work. Public service has always been at its heart. And now, after many happy years, I've decided the time has come to move on.
'I would like to thank you the listener for tuning in each and every day, it has been an honour to sit in this seat and hear your stories,' he added.
Duffy's last hurrah will air in the usual 1:45pm spot today on RTÉ Radio 1.
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Extra.ie
32 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Taoiseach Micheál Martin leads tributes as Joe Duffy bids emotional farewell to Liveline
After nearly three decades of giving a voice to the nation, Joe Duffy signed off from Liveline for the final time on RTÉ Radio One this afternoon, marking the end of one of Irish broadcasting's most iconic chapters. With his trademark empathy, urgency, and unmistakable argumentative nature, Joe's last show was a tapestry of gratitude, reflection, and unscripted chaos that has defined the programme since he first took to the mic in 1998. From tearful callers from days gone by to surprise guests, the final episode was more than a goodbye — it was a national moment to honour a broadcasting legend. Joe Duffy presenting his final farewell show in Studio 1 at the RTÉ Radio Centre. Pic: Andres Poveda Friday saw RTE craft a carefully woven tribute: a chorus of familiar voices, from longtime friends to unforgettable callers, each sharing memories, thanks, and the kind of emotion that Duffy has spent a career coaxing from the nation. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, a long-time Liveline regular, shared a tribute which struck a delicate balance: warm and emotional, but laced with the kind of teasing camaraderie that only comes from decades of friendship. 'Thank you sincerely, you are and were the voice of the people. You were authentic. You gave the people a platform,' he said. Brush Shiels speaking with Joe Duffy as he presented his final farewell show in Studio 1 at the RTÉ Radio Centre. Pic: Andres Poveda 'I can remember many a civil servant coming into me in the afternoon saying 'Liveline has gone mad.'' He added: 'Your personal acts of kindness have always been quite extraordinary and something that has touched our family quite a lot.' The Taoiseach also thanked the broadcaster greatly for his kindness after the death of his daughter, recalling a day of crab-fishing in Co Cork where Duffy took a number of photos of Mr Martin holding his daughter Léana in his arms. From tearful callers from days gone by to surprise guests, the final episode was more than a goodbye — it was a national moment to honour a broadcasting legend. Pic: Andres Poveda The Liveline host subsequently sent them to the family after her death, aged 7, in 2010. 'That's something Mary and I have always treasured,' the Taoiseach added. In another emotional moment, Liveline caller Caroline Davis travelled to the studio to say thank you to the broadcaster for his contribution to restoring the BreastCare Allowance after she appeared on the programme. 'That is the real Joe Duffy, looking after the ordinary people in Dublin,' added musician Brush Shields. Similarly, we heard from a woman named Sallyanna, who in 2021 sent a 'powerful' email to Liveline about her experience of menopause. 'I remember that I was shocked that somebody was listening to me. Joe listened to me and nobody else had,' she said. There were a number of comedic, poetic and musical tributes to the star, but most notably, was the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, who presented Joe with a gift and a song to send him on his way. Lastly, President Michael D Higgins penned a touching letter to the broadcaster, thanking him profusely for his impact on our airwaves and his furthering of major social justice campaigns. 'Dear Joe, as you prepare to take your leave from the national airwaves, after so many years of dedicated service, may I, mar Uachtarán 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,' he began. ' From your early days as a student of social work at Trinity College through to your time as president of Trinity College Students Union in 1979 and later as President of the Union of Students in Ireland, you have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and public service. ' Through your work, you have born witness to the struggles and triumphs of the Irish people, often giving voice to those on the margins. And creating a space in which silence could be broken and solidarity expressed.' ' Since you first presented Liveline in 1998, the program has served not merely as a radio program, but as a civic space. A forum for the voicing of concerns, active public engagement, democratic dialogue, and the expression of that rich and complex tapestry, which constitutes Irish society. Your stewardship of that space with your distinctive blend of compassion, curiosity, and courage has been both passionate and principled, marked by a rare empathy,' the president added. ' May this new chapter bring you the same richness of engagement and meaning that you have given to so many throughout your long and remarkable career,' he concluded. While the president's goodbye was a complex and lengthy one, Joe chose to keep it simple, stating 'it's been a privilege,' and 'slán go fóill.'
Irish Independent
36 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
‘It's been a privilege' – RTÉ's Joe Duffy signs off Liveline for a final time after 37 years
There was an audience present in RTÉ Studio 1 for his final show, including past callers and former colleagues. Signing off on his final show, he reminded listeners that the liveline "stays open", Duffy said: "Slán go foill. That's all from me from Liveline. Love you all, it's been a privilege. It's been a privilege." Fellow broadcaster Shay Byrne presented Duffy with a letter written by President Michael D Higgins, who wished him "every happiness" in the next chapter of his life following a "long and remarkable career". He offered his "warmest of thanks on behalf of the Irish people " for Duffy's "remarkable contribution to Irish life", which showed an ongoing commitment to justice, equality and giving a "voice to those on the margins and creating the space where silence could be broken and solidarity could be expressed". Mr Higgins praised the broadcaster for his "rare empathy" and "commitment to the dignity of each individual life" throughout his work and through his "refusal to let forgotten voices go unheard". The Camembert Quartet and Paul Harrington performed the song 'Wichita Lineman' to close out Duffy's final episode of Liveline. RTÉ's Philip Boucher-Hayes will fill in on the show next week, but no permanent replacement has yet been announced. At the beginning of the show, Duffy said: "I was not allowed in the studio until about two minutes before," walking into the room to see many "familiar faces". Taoiseach Micheál Martin called in to thank Duffy for giving the public a voice, spoke about their friendship and his kindness after the death of his daughter. 'Thank you sincerely, you are and were the voice of the people. You were authentic. You gave the people a platform,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT "I can remember many a civil servant coming into me in the afternoon saying 'Liveline has gone mad'." He added: "Your personal acts of kindness have always been quite extraordinary and something that has touched our family quite a lot." During a day of crab-fishing in Co Cork, Duffy took a number of photos of Mr Martin holding his daughter Léana in his arms. He sent them to the family after her death, aged 7, in 2010. "That's something Mary and I have always treasured," said Mr Martin. Former Liveline caller Caroline Davis travelled from Tullow, Co Carlow to say thank you to the broadcaster for his contribution to restoring the BreastCare Allowance after she appeared on the programme. "That is the real Joe Duffy, looking after the ordinary people in Dublin," added musician Brush Shields. A special edition of Callan's Kicks was played, where comedian Oliver Callan did an impression of Duffy speaking to Callan's versions of Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Trump, Michael D Higgins, Bono, Tyson Fury and Katie Hannon, who is the rumoured frontrunner to take over the programme. While Duffy praised the comedian's impressions, he said: "He still hasn't got the hang of me, has he?" In 2021, a woman named Sallyanne sent a "powerful" email to Liveline about her experience of menopause. "I remember that I was shocked that somebody was listening to me. Joe listened to me and nobody else had," she said, adding that Duffy has since "changed the landscape" for Irish women by facilitating the conversation. There were a series of musical tributes to Duffy during the programme performed by the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, Paul Harrington and Paddy Cullivan. Meanwhile, Duffy has played down rumours that he will launch a presidential bid. He will host the show, which he has fronted since 1998, for the final time this afternoon. Despite speculation that the veteran broadcaster would be well-placed to enter the race to succeed President Michael D Higgins later this year, Duffy said he has not been asked to run. Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the Liveline host said: "Ah no, I could see the Áras from Claddagh Green [in Ballyfermot], I'd say that's the closest I'll ever get to it.' Asked whether he has been approached about mounting a presidential bid, he said: 'Ah no, I haven't. No, I haven't. "And even if… I'm still a part of RTÉ until Monday, effectively, and if I say…if I had... Anyway, no, I will not lose the run of myself. I will not lose the run of myself. "There's some great, great names that have been mentioned so far.' Tánaiste Simon Harris is among those paying tribute to the presenter ahead of his last show today today, describing it as 'the end of an era'. In a letter to the veteran broadcaster, he said: 'I know today is a day of mixed emotions for you and your family as it marks the end of one chapter and the start of a new one. 'I know I can speak for many of us when I say you will be sorely missed.' He said Duffy has served as 'a friend, a therapist, an advocate, and a voice for many people across the country every lunchtime' and hopes he knows the impact his work has had. 'I will 'Talk to Joe' has become a phrase used by many in times by people across the country when at their lowest or in the most trying of circumstances.' The broadcaster reflected on some of the major issues covered on the show while he was at the helm, including how it contributed to the closure of "head shops' in 2010. "The head shop campaign was the only time – out of all the things we've done over the years thanks to the listeners – that I was physically threatened,' he said. Earlier this morning speaking to Morning Ireland, Duffy said he was threatened twice – once in an underground car park and another on the street when he was 'spat at'. He said it was an issue he was 'very passionate about' and while he couldn't go to the protests, he "painted every single placard" for an event held in Clontarf. "It's the voices on Liveline. The less I talk the better, I find. It's the voices of the callers and it's a privilege.' He said his career in RTÉ started 'almost accidentally' as he was working as a probation officer with the hopes of becoming a producer when he became a reporter for Gay Byrne's programme. Duffy said he received a number of letters in the early days of being on air for his Ballyfermot accent, but that Byrne was 'such a supporter'. "He was very private. And we bounced off each other. He used to give out to me when he retired, he used to text me on Liveline, giving out to me.' He added that Byrne was 'so intense' on the idea that it was the public that 'pay our wages'. Byrne told him: "People trust us, keep it that way. Stop on the street if people want to chat to you, what's the big deal? Just stop, enjoy." 'And I do – I do like meeting people and I do like being on the Luas and talking to people, and being on the 130 and talking to people,' Duffy added. Duffy said he made a habit of sending cards to those who called in to the show to thank them, describing it as 'a joy'. During yesterday's show, listeners were calling to say goodbye to him and wish him a good retirement, while the presenter teased today's programme and described it as "special". "I know nothing about it. I will be here, and I hope you will join us," he said. Speaking during the show in May, when he announced he would retire at the end of June, he said: "After 37 wonderful years here in RTÉ, and 27 years presenting Liveline, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to be part of a programme that relied entirely on trust: the trust of our listeners. "People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories – sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories. "I never took that for granted, not for a single minute. RTÉ has been a great place to work. Public service has always been at its heart. And now, after many happy years, I've decided the time has come to move on. "I would like to thank you the listener for tuning in each and every day. It has been an honour to sit in this seat and hear your stories.' Born in January 1956, in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, and raised in Ballyfermot, Duffy originally pursued social work at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). He became one of the first from his area to go to TCD and was actively involved in student politics and went on to serve as President of the Union of Students in Ireland. He led protests on campus, highlighting access to education, and spent two weeks in Mountjoy Prison as a result. After working in the probation service, he joined RTÉ as a radio producer in 1989 and made his name on The Gay Byrne Show. He presented programmes like Soundbyte before taking over Liveline in 1998. In his 27 years in the Liveline hot seat, both Duffy and the programme itself have become national institutions, with the programme frequently attracting 400,000 listeners. RTÉ Radio One's flagship phone-in show will now welcome a new host, with Katie Hannon tipped to take over from Duffy, who she has regularly filled in for in recent years. The speculations increased after it was announced on Tuesday that the Upfront with Katie Hannon TV show will not return in September, possibly paving the way for her to take over the Liveline gig. It is understood that a stand-in presenter will host the show on Monday, with the permanent successor being announced over the summer.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Line-up revealed as Magic Nights By The Lee returns to Cork with pop-up nightclub
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