Series· 2009· 1h 0m

The Meaning of Life

Name: The Meaning of Life
Released: 2009-04-19
Rating: 7

IMDB7.0

The Meaning of Life is an Irish television programme, the first series of which was broadcast on RTÉ One in 2009. It is presented by the veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne. Each episode involves Byrne interviewing a well-known public figure. The series is broadcast each Sunday night at 22:20. In 2010 The Meaning of Life returned for both a second and, later, a third series. Interviews with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and actors Gabriel Byrne and Brenda Fricker during the second series attracted media attention when they spoke of their religious habits and child sexual abuse respectively. Gay Byrne appeared on The Late Late Show on 18 December 2009 to discuss the programme. A fourth series soon followed. Then a fifth series from January 2012. And a sixth in October 2012. And a seventh in January 2013.

Currently airing

Last airedFinale

S13 · E6Archbishop Charles John Brown

Nov 20, 2016

Seasons

Season 132016

6 episodes

E1John Sheahan
Oct 16, 2016· 29m
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.
E2Garry Hynes
Oct 23, 2016· 27m
Garry Hynes, Tony award winning theatre director and founder of Druid Theatre Company, shares her views on life and matters spiritual.
E3André Rieu
Oct 30, 2016· 46m
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.
E4Joanne O'Riordan
Nov 6, 2016· 27m
Meet the youngest ever guest on The Meaning of Life, Joanne O'Riordan, whose extraordinary life, achievements and attitudes will truly inspire.
E5Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri
Nov 13, 2016· 27m
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.
E6Archbishop Charles John BrownFinale
Nov 20, 2016· 28m
Archbishop Charles John Brown reveals how a Himalayan trek in his twenties ignited his faith and vocation.

Season 122016

6 episodes

E1Ruby Wax
Jan 10, 2016· 26m
Scandalous, irreverent and hilarious, Ruby Wax shares her take on life with Gay.
E2Anna May McHugh
Jan 17, 2016· 27m
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.
E3Dolores Keane
Jan 24, 2016· 27m
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.
E4Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Feb 7, 2016· 27m
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.
E5Eoin Colfer
Feb 14, 2016· 27m
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.
E6Peter SutherlandFinale
Mar 6, 2016· 27m
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.

Season 112015

6 episodes

E1Hozier
Sep 27, 2015· 26m
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'.
E2Joan Burton
Oct 4, 2015· 27m
Tánaiste Joan Burton talks to Gay Byrne about adoption, her early influences, politics and morality.
E3Diarmuid Gavin
Oct 11, 2015· 27m
Gay speaks to gardener and television presenter Diarmuid Gavin.
E4Richard Dawkins
Oct 18, 2015· 32m
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.
E5Sister Stanislaus Kennedy
Oct 25, 2015· 27m
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.
E6Eckhart TolleFinale
Nov 1, 2015· 27m
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’.