Gay Byrne to receive award to mark 50 years in broadcasting

LEGENDARY presenter Gay Byrne is to receive a coveted accolade as a mark of his 50 years in broadcasting.

The RTÉ star is set to be presented with an outstanding achievement Phonographic Performance Ireland (PPI) radio award today.

One of Ireland’s best loved broadcasters, Gay Byrne has entertained, informed and provoked Irish audiences for more than 50 years.

Dick Doyle chief executive officer of PPI said: “As he celebrates his 50th year in broadcasting, Gay Byrne remains a consummate professional and it is in recognition of his long-standing and incredibly successful career that he is being nominated for this year’s PPI Outstanding Achievement Award. We are delighted to acknowledge this talent.”

In its fifth year, the top award is seen as the best broadcasting award. Previous four winners included Marian Finucane (2008), Des Whelan of WLR (2007), Jimmy Magee (2006), Michael O Muircheartaigh (2005).

Gay joined Radio Éireann (now RTÉ) in 1958 and as a broadcaster became best known for his daily radio show, The Gay Byrne Hour, later renamed The Gay Byrne Show, which ran for more than 20 years and which is credited with breaking many Irish social taboos.

Over the years, he has become a legendary figure and he has been referred to as “the most famous man in Ireland”.

Gay Byrne’s willingness to tackle and discuss difficult issues and not to run from controversy made him a unique broadcaster in his time.

His programmes were wide-ranging – from Christmas celebrations on Grafton Street to reuniting long-lost relatives from Australia.

All the winners of the PPI awards will be a closely guarded secret until midnight tonight when the results will go live on www.ppiradioawards.com