'Talk to Joe' - Outgoing RTE broadcaster spotted locally - Kilkenny Live Highlights
Did you see Joe Duffy on the streets of Kilkenny in May?
Outgoing RTE broadcaster Joe Duffy felt right at home in the Marble City in May, popping into well known hotel the Clubhouse on Patrick Street.
It's not known what brought the RTE stalwart to Kilkenny's streets but he was certainly met by plenty of beaming smiles by locals, none more so than by broadcasting legend Seamus Brophy.
Mr Brophy or 'The Big Fella' stopped to pose for a picture with the Liveline host, who was dawning a stylish cowboy hat in the pic.
Shockwaves were sent across the country earlier this year when the RTE Radio 1 presenter announced his retirement from the State Broadcaster later this month.
During his tenure, Liveline has been a vital outlet for citizens. He has also hosted a wide range of programmes for television including Liveline Callback and The Meaning of Life, as well as several acclaimed documentaries.
Mr Duffy has been a recipient of many awards during his acclaimed career, including a Jacob’s Award in 1992 for his work on The Gay Byrne Show, various IMRO Awards and he was also inducted into the PPI Hall of Fame in 2013. Joe has written his autobiography 'Just Joe' and two other award-winning history books, 'Children of the Rising' and 'Children of the Troubles' (with Freya McClements).
Joe Duffy spoke candidly on the news, saying, "After 37 wonderful years here in RTÉ, and 27 years presenting Liveline, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to be part of a programme that relied entirely on trust: the trust of our listeners. People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories.
"I never took that for granted, not for a single minute. RTÉ has been a great place to work. Public service has always been at its heart. And now, after many happy years, I’ve decided the time has come to move on. I would like to thank you the listener for tuning in each and every day, it has been an honour to sit in this seat and hear your stories," he added.