Ian Dempsey Tribute

heybaby

Terrific tribute programme to Ian on Today FM, hosted by Matt Cooper now, it's in the style of this is your life, great idea with some of the old names making contributions like Mike Maloney, John Clarke

July Rain

Is he retiring or something ?

fred funk }{

Thought he'd died when I read the title.

razorblunt

Acknowledging his 25 years in the industry.
Very nostalgic feel, the ABU club with Des Cahill especially and very much deserved.

sudzs

fred funk }{ wrote: »

Thought he'd died when I read the title.

so did I.

ford fiesta

It was to mark his 25 years on breakfast radio, though he started in radio and in RTE long before that.

Mario was incorrect when mentioning the year Gift Grub started (he said 1997 when Ian was still at RTE) and in the Mike Murphy tribute he remembered when Ian started in RTE 25 years ago (he started there 33 years ago).

July Rain

ford fiesta wrote: »

It was to mark his 25 years on breakfast radio, though he started in radio and in RTE long before that.

Mario was incorrect when mentioning the year Gift Grub started (he said 1997 when Ian was still at RTE) and in the Mike Murphy tribute he remembered when Ian started in RTE 25 years ago (he started there 33 years ago).

I think giftgrub started before Ian came, on the mark Byrne breakfast show.

Declan A Walsh

As it happens, if you include Ian's pirate radio period, you could say he is 35 years or so involved in radio.

I heard before that Gift Grub started during Mark Byrne's time presenting the breakfast show. Mark Byrne joined in December 1997 in the last month of Radio Ireland. The name changed to Today FM on January 2nd (AFAIK) 1998. Mark was presenter until some point in July 1998 which means that Gift Grub had to start somewhere between December 1997 and July 1998.

Ian Dempsey left 2FM in the middle of July 1998 for Today FM but did not start his first show until September 22nd that year. I think there may have been a period in 1989 when Ian was switched to lunchtime on 2FM before returning to breakfast. So, taking the above two into the account and excluding holidays, he did not have a complete unbroken period of 25 years presenting breakfast.

However, none of this takes away from the number of years that Ian has been a breakfast presenter, and it is some achievement.

Itssoeasy

http://www.todayfm.com/player/podcasts/The_Ian_Dempsey_Breakfast_Show/The_Ian_Dempsey_Breakfast_Show/6028/1/ian_dempsey__this_is_your_radio_life

ford fiesta

ford fiesta wrote: »

It was to mark his 25 years on breakfast radio, though he started in radio and in RTE long before that.

Mario was incorrect when mentioning the year Gift Grub started (he said 1997 when Ian was still at RTE) and in the Mike Murphy tribute he remembered when Ian started in RTE 25 years ago (he started there 33 years ago).

I just listened again and yes, Mario says Ian was on board with Paul McLoone and himself planning Gift Grub in 1997. Probably a slip of the tongue...

The Princess Bride

This was a very enjoyable show- nice to share the memories.
Ian came across as genuine and humble.

wnolan1992

I just googled Gift Grub because I'd no idea McLoone was involved so wanted to know more, and LOL at the Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gift_Grub

Ciaran_B

Were Zig and Zag on?

heybaby

yes the loveable aliens were on the show couldn't leave them out.

Skid X

I enjoyed that.

I thought Des Cahill's contribution was notable - Ian encouraged him to develop the 'ABU' slot and other features because he saw the potential was there, at a time when the Sports People didn't really get involved as they do now.

Ian Dempsey has always has a great ear for what people want to listen to at Breakfast - It is very difficult to find the winning formula at Breakfast (as 2FM have found out since he left), but he has done it consistently and at different stations.

Henwin

Ya Ian is a very good presenter. been listening to him for years, switched from 2fm to today fm when he moved. a bit bored of mario though

RachaelVO

Was a good listen alright. As already pointed out, Des Cahill was the most notable slot. The role of the sports presenter really did change drastically with the ABU dynamic. Love the bit hearing him when he as 5 singing with his friends, that was just adorable!