The Meaning of Life

1. Colin Farrell

Air Date: 2009-04-19

Gay talks to action film hero Colin Farrell about what has shaped his beliefs about faith, spirituality and the bigger questions about life.

2. Gerry Adams

Air Date: 2009-04-26

In a remarkably revealing interview, Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President talks to Gay Byrne about issues of personal faith and morality and how they have impacted on his role within the Republican movement.

3. Maeve Binchy

Air Date: 2009-05-03

Gay Byrne talks to Maeve Binchy about the big questions of life and death and gets some unexpected answers.

4. Ronan Keating

Air Date: 2009-05-10

Singer-songwriter and charity campaigner Ronan Keating talks with Gay Byrne about the events which have shaped his life and beliefs.

5. Sinéad O'Connor

Air Date: 2009-05-17

Singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor talks about the impact that her religious upbringing had on her life and the evolution of her spiritual beliefs.

6. Neil Jordan

Air Date: 2009-05-24

Oscar-winning writer and director, Neil Jordan, tells Gay Byrne that he doesn’t see himself as religious… and yet he believes he’s seen proof that there’s an after-life.

1. Gabriel Byrne

Air Date: 2010-01-17

Gay talks to actor Gabriel Byrne about his ongoing struggles with depression and alcohol and about the many events which have occurred across his life which shape his beliefs.

2. Tommy Tiernan

Air Date: 2010-01-24

Gay talks to controversial comedian Tommy Tiernan about the strong role religion and spirituality play in his approach to life and comedy.

3. Brenda Fricker

Air Date: 2010-01-31

Gay Byrne talks to Oscar award-winning actress Brenda Fricker about acting and fame and the depression that has crippled her for so much of her adult life.

4. Bertie Ahern

Air Date: 2010-02-07

Gay talks to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about how Catholicism influenced his approach to political and personal events in his life.

5. Mary Robinson

Air Date: 2010-02-14

Gay Byrne talks international human rights ambassador Mary Robinson about how her experiences of the world have both challenged and enriched her faith.

6. Edna O'Brien

Air Date: 2010-02-21

Gay Byrne talks to writer Edna O'Brien, who in her 80th year, reflects on the way her turbulent life has shaped her religious beliefs and personal values.

1. Terry Wogan

Air Date: 2010-09-26

Gay Byrne interviews fellow veteran broadcaster Terry Wogan about his thoughts on ageism, religion and a life which has had its highs and lows, its moments of tragedy, laughter and success.

2. Fionnuala Flanagan

Air Date: 2010-10-03

Emmy and IFTA-winning actress, Fionnula Flanagan, reveals to Gay Byrne how her moral compass owes much more to her ex-communicated, alcoholic revolutionary father than to the nuns who educated her.

3. Deepak Chopra

Air Date: 2010-10-10

Gay Byrne talks to prolific author and spiritual guide Deepak Chopra about his beliefs and influences.

4. Ian Paisley

Air Date: 2010-10-17

Gay Byrne talks to Ian Paisley about his beliefs and influences.

5. Micheal O'Muircheartaigh

Air Date: 2010-10-24

Gay Byrne meets legendary sports broadcaster Micheál Ó Muicheartaigh.

6. Dana

Air Date: 2010-11-07

Gay Byrne talks to Dana about her beliefs and influences.

1. Michael Parkinson

Air Date: 2011-03-06

In the chair is Gay’s long-time friend and former colleague, Sir Michael Parkinson. The two of them worked together in the early days of Granada TV, including the night The Beatles made their television debut. Paul McCartney asked Parky for his autograph… for his Mum. The band also asked the young Gay Byrne to manage them. He said ‘No’!

2. Brendan O'Carroll

Air Date: 2011-03-13

Brendan O’Carroll tells Gay Byrne, the man who discovered him, how much his TV character Mrs Brown owes to his Mum, an ex-nun, pioneering Labour T.D. and widowed mother of eleven.

3. Abbot Mark Patrick Henderman

Air Date: 2011-03-20

The Abbot of Glenstal is a paradox: a priest who never wanted to be a priest, who freely describes the Church to which he has given his life as "a dinosaur". Expect the unexpected, as Gay asks him life's big questions.

4. Brian Cody

Air Date: 2011-03-27

Kilkenny GAA legend, Brian Cody tells Gay Byrne why he's never been tempted to leave the faith - or for that matter, the county - of his upbringing.

5. Martin Sheen

Air Date: 2011-04-03

On a day when his son, Charlie, appeared to be committing career suicide, Martin Sheen spoke to Gay Byrne with remarkable openness about his family, his faith and his film career - three strands which come together in his latest movie, The Way.

6. Ben Dunne

Air Date: 2011-04-10

Even before the Moriarty tribunal had branded his behaviour "profoundly corrupt", Ben Dunne admitted to Gay Byrne he'd been "a complete eejit" in his past dealings with politicians. His colourful life has included several brushes with death, an IRA kidnapping and a chequered relationship with Charlie Haughey. He reveals how it was the infamous events in a Florida hotel room that put him on the road to redemption.

1. Andrea Corr

Air Date: 2012-01-08

Gay interviews singer and actress Andrea Corr, who discusses the challenges she has faced in developing a career as a solo performer, her happy childhood in Dundalk filled with music and starting The Corrs when she was 15.

2. Paddy Moloney

Air Date: 2012-01-15

The Chieftains’ frontman, Paddy Moloney, bares his soul to Gay Byrne.

3. Fr. Shay Cullen

Air Date: 2012-01-22

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Fr Shay Cullen speaks his mind to Gay Byrne about the faith that motivates him to keep going in the face of evil.

4. Richard Branson

Air Date: 2012-01-29

Gay Byrne talks to non-believer, entrepreneur and adventurer Richard Branson.

5. Bob Geldof

Air Date: 2012-02-05

Bob Geldof reveals all to Gay Byrne about the people, things and ideas which have given his life meaning.

6. Mary Byrne

Air Date: 2012-02-12

Mary Byrne gives her “hero” Gay Byrne an access-all-areas interview about the loves, faith and experiences which have given her life meaning.

1. Mary McAleese

Air Date: 2012-10-07

Mary McAleese gives her first televised interview since leaving office, speaking to Gay Byrne with extraordinary candour about how her life has shaped - and been shaped by - her beliefs and attitudes.

2. Noel Gallagher

Air Date: 2012-10-14

Oasis musician Noel Gallagher discusses his career, and his relationship with his brother Liam.

3. Sean Gallagher

Air Date: 2012-10-21

In his first televised interview since his presidential campaign, Sean Gallagher tells Gay Byrne what gave an almost-blind schoolboy the self-belief to run for the highest office in the land.

4. Niall Quinn

Air Date: 2012-10-28

One of Ireland’s most successful and best loved footballers, Niall Quinn, tells Gay how a mixture of faith, family and luck enabled him to “swim in the river without getting wet,” in a sport that was rife with drink, gambling and how he survived the kind of post-career depression that killed his friend Gary Speed.

5. Norah Casey

Air Date: 2012-11-04

In this profoundly moving interview, Norah Casey tells Gay Byrne how her Catholic faith has both been challenged and also sustained her, in the year since her husband's death.

1. Colm Tóibín

Air Date: 2013-01-06

Multi award-winning writer Colm Tóibín is Gay Byrne's guest in the first programme in the new series.

2. JP Donleavy

Air Date: 2013-01-13

Gay Byrne talks to JP Donleavy about his origins in the Bronx and the experiences, ideas and beliefs that have shaped his work.

3. John Lonergan

Air Date: 2013-01-20

Gay Byrne interviews John Lonergan about the values and beliefs which shaped – and were shaped by - his career in Irish prisons.

4. Maureen Gaffney

Air Date: 2013-01-27

Gay Byrne meets psychologist Maureen Gaffney to hear what gives her life meaning.

5. Maria Doyle

Air Date: 2013-02-03

Award-winning actor and singer, Maria Doyle Kennedy, talks to Gay Byrne.

6. Christina Noble

Air Date: 2013-02-10

Christina Noble reveals to Gay the extraordinary events and inspiration that led her, as a formerly homeless Dublin child rape victim, to devote her life to helping Asian street children.

7. Bono

Air Date: 2013-06-25

1. Colm Wilkinson

Air Date: 2013-10-06

Colm Wilkinson reveals why an absence of faith never stopped him singing his most famous song - the prayer, Bring Him Home from Les Miserables, which was written for him - with total conviction.

2. Emily O'Reilly

Air Date: 2013-10-13

Gay talks to Emily O'Reilly shortly after she was appointed the new European Ombudsman.

3. Fr Peter McVerry

Air Date: 2013-10-20

Fr Peter McVerry tells Gay Byrne how work and the homeless inspire, motivate and fulfil him, and why the Church has much to learn from the poor about the real point of Christianity.

4. Celine Byrne

Air Date: 2013-10-27

5. Imelda May

Air Date: 2013-11-03

Now balancing music with marriage and motherhood, Imelda May tells Gaybo about the things, people, events and beliefs that give her life meaning.

1. Majella O'Donnell

Air Date: 2014-05-04

Majella O'Donnell talks about her battle with cancer, her upbringing and faith, as well as her marriage to famous singer Daniel.

2. Rory O'Neill

Air Date: 2014-05-11

Drag queen Rory O'Neill, better known as Panti Bliss, talks about his life, faith, spirituality, and willingness to defend his critics' freedom of speech.

3. Sean O'Sullivan

Air Date: 2014-06-01

Entrepreneur, inventor, investor and former Dragon Sean O'Sullivan talks to Gay Byrne about being more interested in values than profits.

4. Eamon Dunphy

Air Date: 2014-06-08

Eamon Dunphy tells Gay Byrne about the people, events and beliefs that have shaped his life and values.

5. David Puttnam

Air Date: 2014-06-15

Oscar-winning movie producer, Lord David Puttnam, talks to Gay Byrne in his adopted home in Skibbereen, West Cork.

6. Enda Kenny

Air Date: 2014-06-22

Enda Kenny talks to Gay Byrne about the people, events, ideas and beliefs that give his life meaning.

1. Cecelia Ahern

Air Date: 2015-01-25

Cecelia Ahern talks to Gay Byrne about growing up with Bertie.

2. Stephen Fry

Air Date: 2015-02-01

Comedian, actor, writer, presenter and all round renaissance man Stephen Fry discusses his views on faith.

3. Barry McGuigan

Air Date: 2015-02-08

Former boxer Barry McGuigan talks to Gay about his strong Catholic faith.

4. Mary Black

Air Date: 2015-02-15

Mary Black talks about her disillusion with the Church, her struggles with depression, and her mystical experiences.

5. Earl Charles Spencer

Air Date: 2015-03-22

Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer and brother of Princess Diana, talks with remarkable openness and candour about his sister’s tragic death, his controversial oration at her funeral, their difficult childhood together and the challenge of guarding his own privacy, as the brother of the world’s most famous woman.

6. Archbishop Rowan Williams

Air Date: 2015-03-01

The former Archbishop of Canterbury and now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, Dr Rowan Williams joins Gay to discuss faith.

1. Hozier

Air Date: 2015-09-27

Gay talks to Hozier whose hit Take me to Church made him a worldwide star. They talk life, religion and human rights and 'that song'.

2. Joan Burton

Air Date: 2015-10-04

Tánaiste Joan Burton talks to Gay Byrne about adoption, her early influences, politics and morality.

3. Diarmuid Gavin

Air Date: 2015-10-11

Gay speaks to gardener and television presenter Diarmuid Gavin.

4. Richard Dawkins

Air Date: 2015-10-18

Gay Byrne deftly explores the life, beliefs and values of Prof. Richard Dawkins, the High Priest of atheist rationalism and author or The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion.

5. Sister Stanislaus Kennedy

Air Date: 2015-10-25

Gay talks to Sr Stanislaus Kennedy about her life-long commitment to the poor and her role as advocate for the homeless as well as her criticisms of an overly clerical church of today.

6. Eckhart Tolle

Air Date: 2015-11-01

Gay chats with Mindfulness Guru, Eckhart Tolle, author of ‘The Power of Now’, star of Oprah Winfrey shows and webinars and deemed the ‘most influential spiritual author in the USA’.

1. Ruby Wax

Air Date: 2016-01-10

Scandalous, irreverent and hilarious, Ruby Wax shares her take on life with Gay.

2. Anna May McHugh

Air Date: 2016-01-17

Anna May McHugh, matriarch of the National Ploughing Championships, shares her love of all things rural and agricultural and her deep faith with Gay Byrne.

3. Dolores Keane

Air Date: 2016-01-24

One of Ireland’s most loved singers, Dolores Keane shares her fight against alcoholism, breast cancer and depression and her joy in music making with Gay Byrne.

4. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Air Date: 2016-02-07

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author of ‘Not in God’s Name’, condemns those who kill in God’s name and says religious leaders need a new message of peace and tolerance.

5. Eoin Colfer

Air Date: 2016-02-14

International bestselling children’s author, creator of Artemis Fowl, soon to be a major movie, Eoin Colfer gives his take on the ‘meaning of life’ to veteran broadcaster, Gay Byrne.

6. Peter Sutherland

Air Date: 2016-03-06

The late Peter Sutherland, UN Special Representative for Migration, dubbed “the father of globalisation” joined Gay Byrne to discuss his take on the Meaning of Life.

1. John Sheahan

Air Date: 2016-10-16

Folk musician and composer John Sheahan talks to Gay about his life and the events that have shaped his spiritual beliefs in a programme recorded for his 77th birthday.

2. Garry Hynes

Air Date: 2016-10-23

Garry Hynes, Tony award winning theatre director and founder of Druid Theatre Company, shares her views on life and matters spiritual.

3. André Rieu

Air Date: 2016-10-30

There’s music, waltzes, laughter and a unique insight into the life and love, beliefs and values of the Dutch Master showman and violinist, André Rieu, as he welcomes Gay Byrne into his Maastricht castle.

4. Joanne O'Riordan

Air Date: 2016-11-06

Meet the youngest ever guest on The Meaning of Life, Joanne O'Riordan, whose extraordinary life, achievements and attitudes will truly inspire.

5. Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri

Air Date: 2016-11-13

Muslim Imam Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, who hosted an LGBT "Iftar" meal during Ramadan. and who consistently condemns Islamist radicalisation and violence, joins Gay on the show.

6. Archbishop Charles John Brown

Air Date: 2016-11-20

Archbishop Charles John Brown reveals how a Himalayan trek in his twenties ignited his faith and vocation.