The Meaning of Life

Archbishop Charles John Brown reveals how a Himalayan trek in his twenties ignited his faith and vocation.

Muslim Imam Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, who hosted an LGBT "Iftar" meal during Ramadan. and who consistently condemns Islamist radicalisation and violence, joins Gay on the show.

Meet the youngest ever guest on The Meaning of Life, Joanne O'Riordan, whose extraordinary life, achievements and attitudes will truly inspire.

There’s music, waltzes, laughter and a unique insight into the life and love, beliefs and values of the Dutch Master showman and violinist, André Rieu, as he welcomes Gay Byrne into his Maastricht castle.

The late Peter Sutherland, UN Special Representative for Migration, dubbed “the father of globalisation” joined Gay Byrne to discuss his take on the Meaning of Life.

International bestselling children’s author, creator of Artemis Fowl, soon to be a major movie, Eoin Colfer gives his take on the ‘meaning of life’ to veteran broadcaster, Gay Byrne.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author of ‘Not in God’s Name’, condemns those who kill in God’s name and says religious leaders need a new message of peace and tolerance.

One of Ireland’s most loved singers, Dolores Keane shares her fight against alcoholism, breast cancer and depression and her joy in music making with Gay Byrne.

Gay chats with Mindfulness Guru, Eckhart Tolle, author of ‘The Power of Now’, star of Oprah Winfrey shows and webinars and deemed the ‘most influential spiritual author in the USA’.

Gay talks to Sr Stanislaus Kennedy about her life-long commitment to the poor and her role as advocate for the homeless as well as her criticisms of an overly clerical church of today.

Gay Byrne deftly explores the life, beliefs and values of Prof. Richard Dawkins, the High Priest of atheist rationalism and author or The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion.

Gay speaks to gardener and television presenter Diarmuid Gavin.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury and now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, Dr Rowan Williams joins Gay to discuss faith.

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and brother of Princess Diana, talks with remarkable openness and candour about his sister’s tragic death, his controversial oration at her funeral, their difficult childhood together and the challenge of guarding his own privacy, as the brother of the world’s most famous woman.

Mary Black talks about her disillusion with the Church, her struggles with depression, and her mystical experiences.

Former boxer Barry McGuigan talks to Gay about his strong Catholic faith.

Enda Kenny talks to Gay Byrne about the people, events, ideas and beliefs that give his life meaning.

Oscar-winning movie producer, Lord David Puttnam, talks to Gay Byrne in his adopted home in Skibbereen, West Cork.

Eamon Dunphy tells Gay Byrne about the people, events and beliefs that have shaped his life and values.

Entrepreneur, inventor, investor and former Dragon Sean O'Sullivan talks to Gay Byrne about being more interested in values than profits.

Now balancing music with marriage and motherhood, Imelda May tells Gaybo about the things, people, events and beliefs that give her life meaning.

Fr Peter McVerry tells Gay Byrne how work and the homeless inspire, motivate and fulfil him, and why the Church has much to learn from the poor about the real point of Christianity.

Gay talks to Emily O'Reilly shortly after she was appointed the new European Ombudsman.

Christina Noble reveals to Gay the extraordinary events and inspiration that led her, as a formerly homeless Dublin child rape victim, to devote her life to helping Asian street children.

Award-winning actor and singer, Maria Doyle Kennedy, talks to Gay Byrne.

Gay Byrne meets psychologist Maureen Gaffney to hear what gives her life meaning.

In this profoundly moving interview, Norah Casey tells Gay Byrne how her Catholic faith has both been challenged and also sustained her, in the year since her husband's death.

One of Ireland’s most successful and best loved footballers, Niall Quinn, tells Gay how a mixture of faith, family and luck enabled him to “swim in the river without getting wet,” in a sport that was rife with drink, gambling and how he survived the kind of post-career depression that killed his friend Gary Speed.

In his first televised interview since his presidential campaign, Sean Gallagher tells Gay Byrne what gave an almost-blind schoolboy the self-belief to run for the highest office in the land.

Oasis musician Noel Gallagher discusses his career, and his relationship with his brother Liam.

Mary Byrne gives her “hero” Gay Byrne an access-all-areas interview about the loves, faith and experiences which have given her life meaning.

Bob Geldof reveals all to Gay Byrne about the people, things and ideas which have given his life meaning.

Gay Byrne talks to non-believer, entrepreneur and adventurer Richard Branson.

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Fr Shay Cullen speaks his mind to Gay Byrne about the faith that motivates him to keep going in the face of evil.

Even before the Moriarty tribunal had branded his behaviour "profoundly corrupt", Ben Dunne admitted to Gay Byrne he'd been "a complete eejit" in his past dealings with politicians. His colourful life has included several brushes with death, an IRA kidnapping and a chequered relationship with Charlie Haughey. He reveals how it was the infamous events in a Florida hotel room that put him on the road to redemption.

On a day when his son, Charlie, appeared to be committing career suicide, Martin Sheen spoke to Gay Byrne with remarkable openness about his family, his faith and his film career - three strands which come together in his latest movie, The Way.

Kilkenny GAA legend, Brian Cody tells Gay Byrne why he's never been tempted to leave the faith - or for that matter, the county - of his upbringing.

The Abbot of Glenstal is a paradox: a priest who never wanted to be a priest, who freely describes the Church to which he has given his life as "a dinosaur". Expect the unexpected, as Gay asks him life's big questions.

Gay Byrne talks to Dana about her beliefs and influences.

Gay Byrne meets legendary sports broadcaster Micheál Ó Muicheartaigh.

Gay Byrne talks to Ian Paisley about his beliefs and influences.

Gay Byrne talks to prolific author and spiritual guide Deepak Chopra about his beliefs and influences.

Gay Byrne talks to writer Edna O'Brien, who in her 80th year, reflects on the way her turbulent life has shaped her religious beliefs and personal values.

Gay Byrne talks international human rights ambassador Mary Robinson about how her experiences of the world have both challenged and enriched her faith.

Gay talks to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about how Catholicism influenced his approach to political and personal events in his life.

Gay Byrne talks to Oscar award-winning actress Brenda Fricker about acting and fame and the depression that has crippled her for so much of her adult life.

Oscar-winning writer and director, Neil Jordan, tells Gay Byrne that he doesn’t see himself as religious… and yet he believes he’s seen proof that there’s an after-life.

Singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor talks about the impact that her religious upbringing had on her life and the evolution of her spiritual beliefs.

Singer-songwriter and charity campaigner Ronan Keating talks with Gay Byrne about the events which have shaped his life and beliefs.

Gay Byrne talks to Maeve Binchy about the big questions of life and death and gets some unexpected answers.