'Thank you very much': Irish broadcaster Pat Kenny departs from weekday Newstalk show
The former Late Late Show presenter hosted 'The Pat Kenny Show' every weekday from 9am to 12pm for 12-and-a-half-years
Legendary Irish broadcaster Pat Kenny has officially departed from his mid-morning show on Newstalk after 12-and-half-years.
The former Late Late Show presenter hosted 'The Pat Kenny Show' every weekday from 9am to 12pm. He is now gearing up to begin his new weekend show, to be aired on Saturdays and Sundays, this coming March.
Pat Kenny pictured with members of his production team following his final weekday show on Newstalk
Reading out just one of these many messages live on air, he said: "This one comes from someone who arrived here in Dublin 20 years ago: 'When I came here, I didn't know much about Ireland and Irish. My presumption was all Irish people do is play football and go to the pub every weekend and of course, sing beautifully. Little I knew before I started to listen to Pat Kenny's Newstalk morning show. I got to learn not only about Irish people's culture but so many things across the world. Listening to his programme, it changed my assumptions about Irish in whole so thank you, Mr Kenny. Your show will be missed so much.'"
The radio presenter went on to thank his team, many of which had been with him since the beginning.
Pat Kenny said, "My founding editor, Emer Bradley, who is a rock of sense and when I might be running off a bit, she would steady the ship beautifully for me. Cormac McDonough, who has been my sound operator for 12-and-a-half-years. He's been there and he's still here and he'll probably be here next week, doing the same job but for somebody else and he's been fantastic. He has the dump button in case I say something I shouldn't say and in fairness, he's never had to use it in 12-and-a-half-years but that finger is always poised over the button.
"Anne Marie Kane is our broadcast assistant who was there from the very beginning as well. A monument to changing hairstyles, I have to say and also, she is our podcast Maestro so thanks to her. My senior producer is Claire Darmody and her energy and her general good cheer, her recommendations as to what I should be watching on television or what I should be reading have been valueless but she makes coming into work every day an absolute joy.
"Our most recent producer is Niamh Dunne, who came relatively recently to the show but she came from a standing start to being at full speed in jig time so great thanks to Niamh and our researcher, Cian Burns, a revelation in terms of the scope of his talents and his abilities. They're the current crop. My thanks, especially to all of them, but going back over the years, to reporters and producers and researchers who have worked on the show, I have to say to one and all, thank you very much.
"And of course, most of all, to you, the listeners, for moving the dial 12-and-a-half-years ago and staying with us," he concluded.
Giving his last ever sign-off, the host shared a snippet of multiple interviews he has conducted since the show began in 2012. These included quotes from Bono, US President George W Bush, members from the Irish travelling community and international football player Amber Barrett who commented on the Creeslough tragedy, among others.
Tánaiste Simon Harris paid tribute to the show and Mr Kenny himself in a social media post, saying, "I wanted to thank you for the years of insight, balance and thoughtful discussion you brought to the programme. Your voice has been a constant and trusted presence in Irish broadcasting.
"I have always enjoyed engaging with you on the show and valued the opportunity for informed, respectful and meaningful exchange. You are not going too far, I know. I look forward to hearing you in your new role at the weekends," he stated.
Claire Byrne's new show is now set to replace 'The Pat Kenny Show' on weekdays from 9am to 12pm. She will take over from the iconic broadcaster on Tuesday, February 3.