
Joe Duffy is leaving Liveline, but who will replace him?
Last week,
Joe Duffy
announced he was leaving his role as presenter of the
RTÉ
radio phone-in show after 27 years in the hot seat.
The 69-year-old broadcaster, whose contract was due to expire this summer, said he was 'deeply privileged and eternally grateful' to have worked for so long presenting the programme. He also said he hoped Liveline had 'made people feel heard'.
[
Joe Duffy to leave Liveline at the end of June after 27 years
Opens in new window
]
Over nearly three decades, Duffy presided over Ireland's court of public opinion, while his tagline, 'talk to Joe', could be seen as either an invitation or a threat.
READ MORE
His weekday radio slot gave a platform to issues that were sometimes ignored by the rest of the media. And some of the most unintentionally hilarious, totally unplanned, moments on Irish radio also emerged through the Liveline phone lines.
[
Joe Duffy retirement: Liveline host presided over Ireland's court of public opinion
Opens in new window
]
What legacy does Duffy leave behind and who has the experience, and kudos, to fill his shoes?
Today, on In The News, Joe Duffy is leaving but who will replace him?
Irish Times radio columnist Mick Heaney discusses the history of Liveline, Duffy's career and the names already in the mix for the much-coveted afternoon slot.
Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Sharon Van Etten at Collins Barracks: Stage times, setlist, ticket information, how to get there and more
American singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten and her backing band the Attachment Theory are set to perform at the National Museum of Ireland , Collins Barracks, in Dublin on August 21st as part of their Wider Than Pictures Concert Series. Van Etten is on a world tour after releasing her seventh studio album, Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory, which was critically acclaimed. Van Etten rose to fame in 2009 when she was secured a record deal and released her first album Because I was in Love after years of releasing handmade CDs. Her music style is described as raspy, elegant and luminous. If you're attending the concert, here's everything you need to know. READ MORE When do they play? Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory will play at the National Museum of Ireland , Collins Barracks, Dublin, on Thursday, August 21st, as part of the Wider Than Pictures concert series. What time should I arrive? Gates open at 6pm. Who are the support acts? Van Etten will be supported by Australian indie singer-songwriter Angie McMahon and Bristol-based country-tinged indie songwriter Katy J Pearson. How do I get there – and home again? The concert organisers have recommended using public transport where possible, and suggested the Luas as the quickest and easiest way to get there. By Luas: The closest Luas stop is Museum, which is on the Red Line. By train: Heuston Station is just a short stroll from the venue. By bus: Dublin Bus has several routes that stop near the venue, including: 124, 39, 39A, 60, 782 and C2. What will they play? At a gig at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment theory played this set list. You can expect this week's gig to look something like this: Live Forever Afterlife Idiot Box Comeback Kid I Can't Imagine (Why You Feel This Way) Somethin' Ain't Right Southern Life (What It Must Be Like) Trouble Every Time the Sun Comes Up Tarifa Seventeen I Want You Here I Wish I Knew Fading Beauty Are there any tickets left? At the time of writing, there are still some tickets available on If these sell out, keep an eye out for resale tickets. [ Sharon Van Etten on making her latest album: 'We were trying to conjure as many ghosts as we could' Opens in new window ] What's the story with security? Entry into the concert is through Liffey Street West. The event is over-18s. Fans have been advised to have their ID available and their ticket ready before entering the grounds. Bags must be A4 size or smaller, and all fans will be subject to searches. The concert promoters have asked concertgoers to respect the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, as a national landmark, and be patient when entering and exiting the grounds. For the safety of everyone at the concert, the following items are prohibited: fireworks, Chinese lanterns, flares, high-power torches, laser pens, alcohol or drugs, animals (except guide dogs), anything which could be considered an offensive weapon, umbrellas, high-visibility clothing and bicycles. Can I take photographs at the concert? Professional photography equipment is not allowed, and this applies to drones, selfie sticks and cameras with detachable lenses. Anyone using professional cameras close to the stage may be intercepted by security, and organisers have recommended fans to use their best judgment. What's the weather forecast? Thursday will be dry for most with a mix of cloud and sunny spells with just a few stray showers occurring. Highest temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees in light variable breezes. Another dry night with clear spells. Some mist and fog patches will develop in the west later in the night. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in a light variable breeze, Met Éireann said.


Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
'We don't need to follow tradition': Katelyn Cummins champions women in trades after Rose of Tralee win
The new Rose of Tralee said she is delighted to raise awareness that women 'don't need to go to college' to succeed in life. Interviewed immediately after winning last night, Katelyn Cummins was asked how she felt about the attention she has received as an apprentice electrician. The 20-year-old, the first-ever Rose of Tralee from Laois, said: 'I absolutely love it. 'I think it's great to get the awareness out there that women can do whatever we want, and we don't need a statement around (it). 'We don't need to follow tradition by going to college or anything like that. 'I think it's just, I think it's amazing that I can just share that.' She added: 'I do hope to raise awareness about women doing whatever they believe they can do, and create awareness that we don't need to go to college, we can do whatever we want to do, and we don't need to follow anybody else.' Asked what advice she would give her six-year-old self, she replied: 'Be confident in yourself and believe in yourself, and know that I'm going to be amazing in future.' She agreed that labelling the Rose of Tralee festival as a Father Ted parody centred around a fictional 'Lovely Girls' competition is 'old hat.' Criticism of the festival as little more than a beauty pageant was raised on stage by RTÉ's Kathryn Thomas. 'I do think that the Rose of Tralee has been an amazing festival for the past 10 days for me and I made friends for life, and I think that's what needs to be shared more,' she said. 'We have such an incredible experience, and we'd make friendships for life, and we really, really do, and the experiences we have, the things we do, the people we meet, it's an experience like no other. 'I don't think there's anything like the rose of tralee.' Katelyn Cummins has been named as the 2025 Rose of Tralee. Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD. Katelyn, who was not one of this year's favourites, appeared shocked and began crying when her name was announced on Tuesday night at the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU. Her first words after being crowned were: 'Oh my God.' Later, she said she thought she was going to fall over in shock. 'To be honest, I was like, Oh my God,' she said. 'I was just thinking of my mum (and family) straight away. 'I could see them down in the crowd. I just want to give them a hug.' She was presented with her sash by the 2024 Rose of Tralee, Kelly O'Grady, just before 11.30pm — becoming the 65th International Rose of Tralee. RTÉ's Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas announced the result live to audiences in Ireland and abroad, with viewers tuning in from countries including New Zealand, Mozambique, Canada, and the United States. As well as the title, she also won a world travel prize worth €25,000 and the use of a €40,000 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid for a year. Katelyn is from the small village of Ballyouskill on the Laois-Kilkenny border. She grew up on a dairy farm and is currently in the third phase of her electrical apprenticeship with Alpha Drives Ltd. She hopes to pursue an engineering degree in the future. On the Rose of Tralee website, she describes herself as 'an outgoing and adventurous individual who truly thrives on socialising and meeting new people.' As well as winning two county finals playing camogie with her local club, she enjoys set dancing and jiving with her family and friends. She is also chairperson of the North Kilkenny Macra club, which she said has allowed her to meet new people and build connections across Ireland.


Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Wunderhorse in Dublin: Young crowd delirious for one of the buzziest live acts around
Wunderhorse Collins Barracks, Dublin ★★★★☆ Wunderhorse arrive onstage at Collins Barracks to a barrage of plastic cup missiles hurled high into the air or pinged laterally at specific targets. Whether or not you like being soaked in lager, it is a roaring sign of approval from tonight's young crowd. They chant the opening riff to Midas like a football song, punching the air and digging claws into nearby shoulders. The guitar line is a microcosm for much of what is to come: simple, but snarling and effective. The project revolves around frontman Jacob Slater, who penned Wunderhorse's debut album alone in 2022 before inviting the band in for its sequel. While the first record was hailed for its gritty and introspective power rock, the second LP is stronger and more expansive. Slater once said the intent was to sound like the listener has their face pressed up against an amp. Therein lies the juxtaposition of the set. Older songs like Purple, Leader of the Pack and Girl Behind the Glass generate more emotion. The lyrics are riddled with youthful angst and supplemented by thrashing, four-chord chugs. Slater's right arm swings like a forceful handshake in single strums; attendees seem to know every word he has ever written. READ MORE Musically, the newer songs are more interesting. Their frenzy is punctured by uncluttered spotlights on Slater's vocal. This is most effective on one of the night's closers, Superman, which echoes sweetly around the barracks before the clutter is welcomed back in for a ceremonial, melancholic swell. In some respects, Wunderhorse's range should come as no surprise. Over the last few years, the group has been senselessly likened to a range of their contemporaries, partly owed to formative touring slots alongside Fontaines DC and Sam Fender . Those two acts could not be equated, but both seem to crop up as recommended reading for Wunderhorse's sound. Slater himself has not been shy about listing major influences. Elliott Smith , Joni Mitchell and Neil Young are all cited, linked by lyrical fluency and a tight, intuitive grasp of authentic melody. The energy is what he brings, connecting the dots to end up with a rock band that is as heavy as it is sentimental. You would wonder then, what he makes of the flying pints. Though the Wunderhorse merch is a highly popular uniform, a not insignificant number of fans in the audience are wearing Oasis T-shirts. Maybe Slater feels happy and at home in terrace culture, but it doesn't seem a totally natural fit. [ I've seen the future of live music – and it isn't Oasis Opens in new window ] Oasis certainly never wrote a song like Teal, which arrives during the encore to satisfied delirium. It bears the story of a teenage relationship, addiction and the vicissitudes of young life, ultimately concluding in a realisation of life's beauty and the possibility of recovery. This is Wunderhorse's home – unflinchingly earnest guitar music, made truly evocative by clever melodies. It is not without reason that they are one of the buzziest live acts around, and that reputation is cemented in Dublin.