Farrell in the frame for last time

JACK Lynch capitulating live on television and conceding the 1973 general election. Charlie and Garret going head to head in 1982 in the first of their “great debates”.

Haughey confronted by Des O’Malley in the RTÉ studio in 1989 after failing to achieve an overall majority.

Great political moments, all linked by a common thread: Brian Farrell, the venerable presenter synonymous with the high drama of general election coverage; much respected for his erudite broadcasting style, much loved for the ever-so-slightly eccentric dickie bows he sported.

But after more than 30 years of fronting RTÉ's election and current affairs coverage, Farrell is bidding adieu.

Tonight, he will present a special one-hour programme looking back at some of the most memorable moments from the 11 elections where he was in the studio hot seat.

And then he will quietly take his leave.

“Lights, Camera, Farrell! - Elections, Television and Irish Politics” (9.30pm, RTÉ One), will feature a blend of archive footage, interview and anecdote, illustrating the blood sport that is election night.

In addition to the famous coverage already mentioned, highlights will include footage from the 1969 election campaign when Jack Lynch took to the roads and canvassed the country in presidential style; the Spring Tide election in 1992 which surprisingly resulted in a Labour/Fianna Fail coalition; and the studio showdown between Bertie Ahern and Michael Noonan in 2002.

Contributors to the programme include former taoisigh Garret FitzGerald, John Bruton and Albert Reynolds, former Tanaiste Dick Spring, ministers Michael McDowell and Seamus Brennan, and former government press secretary PJ Mara.

Born in Manchester in 1929, he was educated at UCD and Harvard. In 1955, he joined the administrative staff of the former, going on to become director of extramural studies. He later served as senior lecturer in the Department of Politics, before being made an associate professor in 1985.