Meeting the Queen inspired Tubridy’s book on Irish in UK

With his family’s staunch republican background and his posh “West Brit” like tones that have proven a hit with BBC listeners, Ryan Tubridy is in many ways the perfect choice for chronicling the lives of Irish people who have made it big in Britain.

The RTÉ star highlighted how his own personal history replicated the changing nature of the relationship between the two neighbouring countries at the launch of his new book The Irish Are Coming last night.

Tubridy, who previously wrote JFK in Ireland: Four Days That Changed A President, said the genesis for his latest book was meeting Queen Elizabeth at the Guinness Hopstore during her State visit to Ireland in 2011.

“I thought how much things had changed between Ireland and Britain since my grandfather’s times,” he explained.

Among the famous Irish people who made it big across the Irish Sea whose stories are documented by Tubridy are media stars Eamonn Andrews, Graham Norton, Des Lynam, Terry Wogan and Dara O Briain; actors, Richard Harris, Peter O’Toole, Michael Gambon and Chris O’Dowd, as well as many other writers, politicians and businessmen.

“The book is a bit of fun but there’s a serious message underlying it,” said the broadcaster.

Tubridy said two of his favourite stories of successful Irish people in Britain related to men who were not household names — Paddy Farrell, an Irish footballer who became a RAF hero during World War II, and Martin Grace who acted as a stunt double for Roger Moore in the James Bond movies.

Liveline presenter, Joe Duffy, who launched the book at a function in Dublin last night, said its subject matter would probably fuel further speculation that the Late Late Show host was preparing to move to Britain himself after successful stints on BBC Radio 2 in recent years.

Although Tubridy stressed that he loved his occasional work with the BBC and the opportunity to travel to Britain for work, he insisted he “adored” his TV and radio shows with RTÉ and his family who are based in Ireland.

However, he added: “I wouldn’t rule it out in the future.”

Tubridy dedicated the book to his mother, Dot, and his father, Patrick, who died in January.

Among the guests attending last night’s launch were 2FM colleague, Colm Hayes; businessman Bill Cullen; celebrity chef Derry Clarke; and children’s TV presenter Emma O’Driscoll. Also in attendance was girlfriend and fellow presenter, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin whom Tubridy praised for keeping him “afloat when times are tough”.