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A STAPLE OF the airwaves on RTÉ Radio 1, broadcaster Cathal Mac Coille signed off on his last edition of Morning Ireland today.
The presenter and journalist has had a long career in the Irish media, starting off with RTÉ in the 70s and had stints with TG4 and the Sunday Tribune newspaper.
He was a regular on Morning Ireland for four years, from 1986 onwards. After a hiatus, he returned to the RTÉ show, where he was featured since 2001.
“That’s almost it from us,” Rachael English said at around 9am this morning, before listing the usual credits for the show.
Then, Mac Coille said: ”Because this is my last Morning Ireland, I want to say a big thank you to my wonderful colleagues because of all they’ve done for me and with me for the last 16 years.
And of course, I want to thank you – the listener – for listening. That’s what matters most.
English added: “I know you don’t want any fuss so I promise no fuss – well maybe just a tiny bit of fuss just to say – it’s been our absolute privilege to work with you.
Listeners will know your professionalism, your diligence, your determination, your good humour, [and] your fondness of hurling. They mightn’t be as familiar with your decency and kindness, traits that are always welcome but are particularly welcome at 5.30 in the morning.
So, on behalf of your colleagues and on behalf of all of our fantastic, loyal listeners I’d just like to say thanks. My gosh we’re going to miss you.
Finest hour?
Mac Coille has interviewed dozens of politicians over the years, but there may be one that sticks out in particular.
Almost seven years on, the infamous interview with the Taoiseach of the day, Brian Cowen, remains one of the enduring political moments of recent times.
In September 2010, Brian Cowen was forced to deny that he was “either drunk or hungover” after a decidedly lacklustre performance when speaking to Mac Coille on Morning Ireland.
The Taoiseach had been up late at the bar during the Fianna Fáil think-in, and spoke with an unusually deep voice during the interview.
Cowen also mistakenly referred to the Croke Park agreement as the Good Friday agreement during the encounter.
The story was picked up by news outlets around the world. Even Jay Leno took a pop at the Fianna Fáil leader on the Tonight Show.
It is expected that veteran Six One News anchor Brian Dobson will take over from Mac Coille on the most popular radio programme in the country.
In typical fashion, Mac Coille gave no hint that it was his last show in a series of early morning tweets.
Cathal Mac Coille / TwitterCycling in to do @morningireland I checked the time on my phone and took my only selfie ever, by accident.
— Cathal Mac Coille (@CathalMacCoille) July 28, 2017
Like life. pic.twitter.com/YHBVZ2oezR
Tributes
RTÉ later released a statement, with further tributes made to Mac Coille.
Jon Williams, managing director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs, said: “His greatest legacy is the generation of RTÉ journalists who were shaped by working with Cathal.”
Williams said Mac Coille imbued them “with his values of decency, curiosity and rigour” and added that he will “always be part of the RTÉ family”.
His colleague, Aine Lawlor, said that she had asked a colleague what Mac Coille was like when it was announced he was coming back to Morning Ireland in 2001.
That colleague, David Hanley, told Lawlor: “He’s quite mad you know. But he is quite brilliant as you’ll see… he’s also rather nice.”
Lawlor also called Mac Coille a “quiet, brilliant man” who was the “soul of the programme”.
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The bit where the inlaws go home is my personal favorite.
The family around the table and the laugher is the best part of the Christmas Dinner
The End of it.
@Terry Cunningham: yes definitely
Some people mentioned Croquettes. That is a big thumbs up from me. Turkey and Stuffing always wins
Roses and after dinner coma.
I think a vegan option should have been included
@Clark Griswold: completely taking the piss obviously!
@Clark Griswold: You couldn’t help yourself and ruined the joke
@Clark Griswold: feck off with ur vegan humbug
Piggies in Blankets
Everything I can’t just pick one thing my wife is an awesome cook nearly as good as my mother god rest her
Has to be the sausage meat!
Spiced beef. Despite it being available year round, I really only eat it at Christmas, which makes it extra special.
Krabby patty
@Eugene H. Krabbs: I cant hear you
@Jonny Chip: AYE AYE CAPTAIN
Bread sauce.
@Kieran: homemade only
Brussels Sprouts, par boiled for a few minutes and fried with smoked streaky bacon!!!!
Croquettes…..hands down
Stuffing without doubt
All of it, none of it is off limits at any time of the year to be honest. You can get Turkey and ham at any carvery on any given Sunday.
@Reuben Gray: You seem like good craic, do you write the jokes in the crackers
@Reuben Gray: might be able to have it any time during the year, but christmas is the only time we do it with the all out extras!!!
Cabbage
Has to be sausage meat stiffing
All good except the farts on a fork. Aka sprouts.
Sprouts
Just having the one meal a year where I turn on the cooker and cook a meal…
Turkey curry. It means the whole thing was yesterday.
8 hrs later visit to the loo wit the rte guide
Croutons and cream in the soup
The Goose
@David Grey: With you there. Far superior to turkey.
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