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The Meaning of Life (TV series)

The Meaning of Life is an Irish television programme, broadcast on RTÉ One. Presented by Gay Byrne, each edition involves the veteran broadcaster interviewing a prominent public figure.[1]

The Meaning of Life

The Meaning of Life with Gay Byrne

Interview

Ireland

English

12

50

19 April 2009 (2009-04-19) –
16 October 2016 (2016-10-16)

Interviews with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and actors Gabriel Byrne and Brenda Fricker during the second series attracted media attention. Ahern spoke of his religious habits, Byrne and Fricker of being sexually abused as children.


Joe Duffy took over as host from Gay Byrne in 2020.[2]

Viewing figures[edit]

An average of 247,000 viewers tuned into the first four episodes of the series, featuring interviews with Farrell, Adams, Binchy and Keating.[3] The episode featuring Keating attracted the most viewers, with a total of 258,000 reported.[3] Next was the Adams interview, with 251,000 viewers.[3] This was followed by the interview with Binchy which had 231,000 viewers.[3]

Official website