The Meaning of Life

Gabriel Byrne

Gay talks to actor Gabriel Byrne about his ongoing struggles with depression and alcohol and about the many events which

Tommy Tiernan

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

Brenda Fricker

Gay Byrne talks to Oscar award-winning actress Brenda Fricker about acting and fame and the depression that has crippled

Bertie Ahern

Gay talks to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about how Catholicism influenced his approach to political and personal event

Mary Robinson

Gay Byrne talks international human rights ambassador Mary Robinson about how her experiences of the world have both cha

Edna O'Brien

Gay Byrne talks to writer Edna O'Brien, who in her 80th year, reflects on the way her turbulent life has shaped her reli

Terry Wogan

Gay Byrne interviews fellow veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan about his thoughts on ageism, religion and a life which has

Fionnuala Flanagan

Emmy and IFTA-winning actress, Fionnula Flanagan, reveals to Gay Byrne how her moral compass owes much more to her ex-co

Deepak Chopra

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

Ian Paisley

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

Micheal O'Muircheartaigh

Gay Byrne meets legendary sports broadcaster Micheál Ó Muicheartaigh.

Dana

Gay Byrne talks to Dana about her beliefs and influences.

Michael Parkinson

In the chair is Gay’s long-time friend and former colleague, Sir Michael Parkinson. The two of them worked together in

Brendan O'Carroll

Brendan O’Carroll tells Gay Byrne, the man who discovered him, how much his TV character Mrs Brown owes to his Mum, an

Abbot Mark Patrick Henderman

The Abbot of Glenstal is a paradox: a priest who never wanted to be a priest, who freely describes the Church to which h

Brian Cody

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

Martin Sheen

On a day when his son, Charlie, appeared to be committing career suicide, Martin Sheen spoke to Gay Byrne with remarkabl

Ben Dunne

Even before the Moriarty tribunal had branded his behaviour "profoundly corrupt", Ben Dunne admitted to Gay Byrne he'd b

Andrea Corr

Gay interviews singer and actress Andrea Corr, who discusses the challenges she has faced in developing a career as a so

Paddy Moloney

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

Fr. Shay Cullen

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Fr Shay Cullen speaks his mind to Gay Byrne about the faith that motivates him to keep going i

Richard Branson

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

Bob Geldof

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

Mary Byrne

Mary Byrne gives her “hero” Gay Byrne an access-all-areas interview about the loves, faith and experiences which hav

Mary McAleese

Mary McAleese gives her first televised interview since leaving office, speaking to Gay Byrne with extraordinary candour

Noel Gallagher

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

Sean Gallagher

In his first televised interview since his presidential campaign, Sean Gallagher tells Gay Byrne what gave an almost-bli

Niall Quinn

One of Ireland’s most successful and best loved footballers, Niall Quinn, tells Gay how a mixture of faith, family and

Norah Casey

In this profoundly moving interview, Norah Casey tells Gay Byrne how her Catholic faith has both been challenged and als

Colm Tóibín

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

JP Donleavy

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

John Lonergan

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

Maureen Gaffney

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

Maria Doyle

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

Christina Noble

Christina Noble reveals to Gay the extraordinary events and inspiration that led her, as a formerly homeless Dublin chil

Bono

Colm Wilkinson

Colm Wilkinson reveals why an absence of faith never stopped him singing his most famous song - the prayer, Bring Him Ho

Emily O'Reilly

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

Fr Peter McVerry

Fr Peter McVerry tells Gay Byrne how work and the homeless inspire, motivate and fulfil him, and why the Church has much

Celine Byrne

Imelda May

Now balancing music with marriage and motherhood, Imelda May tells Gaybo about the things, people, events and beliefs th

Majella O'Donnell

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

Rory O'Neill

Drag queen Rory O'Neill, better known as Panti Bliss, talks about his life, faith, spirituality, and willingness to defe

Sean O'Sullivan

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

Eamon Dunphy

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

David Puttnam

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

Enda Kenny

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

Cecelia Ahern

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

Stephen Fry

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

Barry McGuigan

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

Mary Black

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

Earl Charles Spencer

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and brother of Princess Diana, talks with remarkable openness and candour about hi

Archbishop Rowan Williams

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

Hozier

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

Joan Burton

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

Diarmuid Gavin

Gay speaks to gardener and television presenter Diarmuid Gavin.

Richard Dawkins

Gay Byrne deftly explores the life, beliefs and values of Prof. Richard Dawkins, the High Priest of atheist rationalism

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy

Gay talks to Sr Stanislaus Kennedy about her life-long commitment to the poor and her role as advocate for the homeless

Eckhart Tolle

Gay chats with Mindfulness Guru, Eckhart Tolle, author of ‘The Power of Now’, star of Oprah Winfrey shows and webina

Ruby Wax

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

Anna May McHugh

Anna May McHugh, matriarch of the National Ploughing Championships, shares her love of all things rural and agricultural

Dolores Keane

One of Ireland’s most loved singers, Dolores Keane shares her fight against alcoholism, breast cancer and depression a

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author of ‘Not in God’s Name’, condemns those who kill in God’s name and says religious le

Eoin Colfer

International bestselling children’s author, creator of Artemis Fowl, soon to be a major movie, Eoin Colfer gives his

Peter Sutherland

The late Peter Sutherland, UN Special Representative for Migration, dubbed “the father of globalisation” joined Gay

John Sheahan

Folk musician and composer John Sheahan talks to Gay about his life and the events that have shaped his spiritual belief

Garry Hynes

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

André Rieu

There’s music, waltzes, laughter and a unique insight into the life and love, beliefs and values of the Dutch Master s

Joanne O'Riordan

Meet the youngest ever guest on The Meaning of Life, Joanne O'Riordan, whose extraordinary life, achievements and attitu

Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri

Muslim Imam Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, who hosted an LGBT "Iftar" meal during Ramadan. and who consistently condemns Islamist

Archbishop Charles John Brown

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