The RTÉ autumn schedule of 2010 decided to bring two institutions of Irish life together face-to-face. Gay Byrne’s legacy is one that goes beyond the mere art of broadcasting, instead being bound up in the social and cultural life of this country. And the same could be said for one particular guest on a series whose title explored the greatest question of them all.
And so, sandwiched between Ian Paisley and Dana, was the man who rounded off a radio career that saw him feature in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest career as a live commentator? Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. In a show that featured Mary Robinson as a previous guest, ‘the voice’ of Gaelic games was the equivalent of a GAA head of state. A president of the people.
Voice of, and to, a generation. After a lifetime depicting the tableaux of Championship and the actions of so many others, here he took time to lift the veil on his own beliefs. Addressing the question of his own passing head on, he said: ‘I don’t think it’s something to be scared of and I think that’s one of the things that religion teaches you.
’ Typically, his wider answer carried the personal depth and colour that were his trademark, recalling the sudden death of his father. ‘A year or two before he died, I remember buying him a walking stick for Christmas. Gave him the stick and he had a look at it.
Apparently liked it. And he said, “Now I won’t use that. But will you make sure to put it into the coffin with me.
Be.
