The Meaning of Life

Gay talks to action film hero Colin Farrell about what has shaped his beliefs about faith, spirituality and the bigger questions about life.

In a remarkably revealing interview, Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President talks to Gay Byrne about issues of personal faith and morality and how they have impacted on his role within the Republican movement.

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

Gay talks to actor Gabriel Byrne about his ongoing struggles with depression and alcohol and about the many events which have occurred across his life which shape his beliefs.

Gay talks to controversial comedian Tommy Tiernan about the strong role religion and spirituality play in his approach to life and comedy.

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.

Gay Byrne interviews fellow veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan about his thoughts on ageism, religion and a life which has had its highs and lows, its moments of tragedy, laughter and success.

Emmy and IFTA-winning actress, Fionnula Flanagan, reveals to Gay Byrne how her moral compass owes much more to her ex-communicated, alcoholic revolutionary father than to the nuns who educated her.

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

In the chair is Gay’s long-time friend and former colleague, Sir Michael Parkinson. The two of them worked together in the early days of Granada TV, including the night The Beatles made their television debut. Paul McCartney asked Parky for his autograph… for his Mum. The band also asked the young Gay Byrne to manage them. He said ‘No’!

Brendan O’Carroll tells Gay Byrne, the man who discovered him, how much his TV character Mrs Brown owes to his Mum, an ex-nun, pioneering Labour T.D. and widowed mother of eleven.

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 interviews singer and actress Andrea Corr, who discusses the challenges she has faced in developing a career as a solo performer, her happy childhood in Dundalk filled with music and starting The Corrs when she was 15.

The Chieftains’ frontman, Paddy Moloney, bares his soul to Gay Byrne.

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.

Mary McAleese gives her first televised interview since leaving office, speaking to Gay Byrne with extraordinary candour about how her life has shaped - and been shaped by - her beliefs and attitudes.

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

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.

Multi award-winning writer Colm Tóibín is Gay Byrne's guest in the first programme in the new series.

Gay Byrne talks to JP Donleavy about his origins in the Bronx and the experiences, ideas and beliefs that have shaped his work.

Gay Byrne interviews John Lonergan about the values and beliefs which shaped – and were shaped by - his career in Irish prisons.

Colm Wilkinson reveals why an absence of faith never stopped him singing his most famous song - the prayer, Bring Him Home from Les Miserables, which was written for him - with total conviction.

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

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.

Majella O'Donnell talks about her battle with cancer, her upbringing and faith, as well as her marriage to famous singer Daniel.

Drag queen Rory O'Neill, better known as Panti Bliss, talks about his life, faith, spirituality, and willingness to defend his critics' freedom of speech.

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

Cecelia Ahern talks to Gay Byrne about growing up with Bertie.

Comedian, actor, writer, presenter and all round renaissance man Stephen Fry discusses his views on faith.

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

Gay talks to Hozier whose hit Take me to Church made him a worldwide star. They talk life, religion and human rights and 'that song'.

Tánaiste Joan Burton talks to Gay Byrne about adoption, her early influences, politics and morality.

Gay speaks to gardener and television presenter Diarmuid Gavin.

Scandalous, irreverent and hilarious, Ruby Wax shares her take on life with Gay.

Anna May McHugh, matriarch of the National Ploughing Championships, shares her love of all things rural and agricultural and her deep faith with Gay Byrne.

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.

Folk musician and composer John Sheahan talks to Gay about his life and the events that have shaped his spiritual beliefs in a programme recorded for his 77th birthday.

Garry Hynes, Tony award winning theatre director and founder of Druid Theatre Company, shares her views on life and matters spiritual.

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.

Joe Duffy talks to more public figures about how their lives have been shaped by their experiences, choices, values and beliefs. In this first edition, Taoiseach Micheál Martin talks about his family and dealing with the loss of two of his children, and also discusses the motivation and principles that help him face the storms of political life

In episode one,  Joe Duffy speaks with CEO of Tilting the Lens, disability advocate and accessibility consultant, Sinéad Burke.  

Joe Duffy speaks to the much loved former RTÉ broadcaster and journalist, Bryan Dobson, who talks openly about his reasons for retiring early from Radio & TV News.

Joe Duffy speaks with Brookside and Royle Family actor, writer and trade unionist Ricky Tomlinson.