RTE: Late Date

ford fiesta

Mr Sea Wolf wrote: »

McCarthy has only been presenting late date since autumn 2009 so it's not really a big deal like when val Joyce was leaving.

Yes, but he had over 35 years with RTE and Cork listeners are remembering him in particular from his 20 years with RTE Cork.

Although having 6 years in the one radio slot is a rarity in RTE these days

Mr Sea Wolf

ford fiesta wrote: »

Yes, but he had over 35 years with RTE and Cork listeners are remembering him in particular from his 20 years with RTE Cork.

Although having 6 years in the one radio slot is a rarity in RTE these days

He didn't seem to be doing much except stand in work from 2000 till 2009.

AwaitYourReply

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

I would be surprised if Late Date came directly from Cork if certain presenters are on the roster such as: Aonghus McAnally or Fiachna Ó Braonáin as I don't believe that they are based out of Cork most of the time.

However; it has tended to come from the South when Cork based presenters like Alf McCarthy, Lillian Smith or John Creedon are in hot seat.

I must correct an earlier post as I've since discovered from an Irish Examiner news article covering the retirement of Alf McCarthy as a presenter of Late Date after more than 10 Years in the hot seat. Alf had been Cork based for many years but he later relocated to Dublin four years ago to join his partner. I understand that Alf had wished to continue working on Late Date but RTÉ would not bend the rules even though he had been on contract with the station since 15th of November last which had marked his 65th birthday. Prior to that he was a member of RTÉ Staff.

Fascinating article and background about Alf McCarthy on the below link taken from the Irish Examiner newspaper:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/rte-presenter-alf-mccarthy-hangs-up-his-microphone-for-the-last-time-tonight-373583.html

AwaitYourReply

Mr Sea Wolf wrote: »

He didn't seem to be doing much except stand in work from 2000 till 2009.

Alf McCarthy did a lot more both inside and outside of RTÉ which some people may/may not recall or perhaps just did not know. I had forgotten about his involvement on some shows because I was either always at work during PM Live (a daytime TV show) back in mid-late '90s and I was often out of the house in the evenings when shows like The Lyrics Board were broadcast. He was also heavily involved with a programme called Down Here With a View To Above which gave a unique Cork perspective at a time when most media and official TV/Radio in Ireland nearly always came out of Dublin 4 apart from occasional short reports from Regional News Reporters here and there. "Down Here With A View To Above" would have given rare critical exposure for almost 30 minutes once a week on prime time RTÉ 1 tv schedules back in the mid-late '80s. If anything Alf probably made it a little easier for other Cork based colleagues to expand into other projects both within RTÉ or at other media outlets at a later stage. Other colleagues included: John Creedon, Tony O'Donoghue, Mary Wilson, Geri McLoughlain, Tim Desmond, Lillian Smith and so on etc; Alf was still doing his hugely popular lunch-time radio show "Cork About Noon" on RTÉ Cork Local Radio in those years too as far as I recall. He worked a lot with people like Donna O'Sullivan, Barry Mescall, Caimin Jones, Dan Collins, Steve Bolger and many more.

Alf McCarthy will be sorely missed once he finishes up for the very last time at 02:00am on Thursday 31st December. I hope Alf has a happy (yet busy) retirement as he sure did Cork, Munster and indeed Ireland some valuable service down through the years.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/rte-presenter-alf-mccarthy-hangs-up-his-microphone-for-the-last-time-tonight-373583.html

Mr Sea Wolf

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

I must correct an earlier post as I've since discovered from an Irish Examiner news article covering the retirement of Alf McCarthy as a presenter of Late Date after more than 10 Years in the hot seat. Alf had been Cork based for many years but he later relocated to Dublin four years ago to join his partner. I understand that Alf had wished to continue working on Late Date but RTÉ would not bend the rules even though he had been on contract with the station since 15th of November last which had marked his 65th birthday. Prior to that he was a member of RTÉ Staff.

Fascinating article and background about Alf McCarthy on the below link taken from the Irish Examiner newspaper:

.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/rte-presenter-alf-mccarthy-hangs-up-his-microphone-for-the-last-time-tonight-373583.html[/url]

I'd have never guessed he was broadcasting from Mountrose. He defiantly hasn't presented late date for more then 10 years. I'm afraid he comes across as a tad attention seeking in that article, reminds me of those articles about Nicki Hayes in the 00s.

Lady Chatterton

I want to wish Alf well in his retirement. However, I preferred when Lilian was presenting. I'd love if she returned to presenting the programme on a regular basis.

I used to get irritated at the amount of times Alf ignored my requests but I wasn't alone, he seemed to read out lots of requests but failed to play the tune that was requested. Having said all that I do think that there are lots of lonely/bereaved people who will miss his company and his banter. Over the last few weeks it got a bit much, every second or third note he read out referred to how brilliant he was, every night was a tribute show lol.

Oops69

I'm glad he's going. He was painful to listen to and never played requests so I don't know why people bothered texting him in, akso he's only there a wet weekend , what's the big deal , you'd swear it was the end of an era the way people are ****eing on .
I wish him well in his retirement , hopefully it's a proper retirement and not an "rte retirement " , with plenty of locum jobs and other gigs .

Odyssey 2005

Oops69 wrote: »

I'm glad he's going. He was painful to listen to and never played requests so I don't know why people bothered texting him in, akso he's only there a wet weekend , what's the big deal , you'd swear it was the end of an era the way people are ****eing on .
I wish him well in his retirement , hopefully it's a proper retirement and not an "rte retirement " , with plenty of locum jobs and other gigs .

Have to agree Thank god. What's in the pipeline though

Losty Dublin

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

I understand that Alf had wished to continue working on Late Date but RTÉ would not bend the rules even though he had been on contract with the station since 15th of November last which had marked his 65th birthday. Prior to that he was a member of RTÉ Staff.

I brought Val Joyce into work a few times and God knows he had to have been a lot older than 65 and he was kept on. Or maybe he just looked a lot older

Mr Sea Wolf

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I brought Val Joyce into work a few times and God knows he had to have been a lot older than 65 and he was kept on. Or maybe he just looked a lot older

He was 77 when he did his final gig.

Euphoria Intensifies

Any word on who'll be taking over from Alf?

padd b1975

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

Alf McCarthy did a lot more both inside and outside of RTÉ which some people may/may not recall or perhaps just did not know. I had forgotten about his involvement on some shows because I was either always at work during PM Live (a daytime TV show) back in mid-late '90s and I was often out of the house in the evenings when shows like The Lyrics Board were broadcast. He was also heavily involved with a programme called Down Here With a View To Above which gave a unique Cork perspective at a time when most media and official TV/Radio in Ireland nearly always came out of Dublin 4 apart from occasional short reports from Regional News Reporters here and there. "Down Here With A View To Above" would have given rare critical exposure for almost 30 minutes once a week on prime time RTÉ 1 tv schedules back in the mid-late '80s. If anything Alf probably made it a little easier for other Cork based colleagues to expand into other projects both within RTÉ or at other media outlets at a later stage. Other colleagues included: John Creedon, Tony O'Donoghue, Mary Wilson, Geri McLoughlain, Tim Desmond, Lillian Smith and so on etc; Alf was still doing his hugely popular lunch-time radio show "Cork About Noon" on RTÉ Cork Local Radio in those years too as far as I recall. He worked a lot with people like Donna O'Sullivan, Barry Mescall, Caimin Jones, Dan Collins, Steve Bolger and many more.

Alf McCarthy will be sorely missed once he finishes up for the very last time at 02:00am on Thursday 31st December. I hope Alf has a happy (yet busy) retirement as he sure did Cork, Munster and indeed Ireland some valuable service down through the years.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/rte-presenter-alf-mccarthy-hangs-up-his-microphone-for-the-last-time-tonight-373583.html

Alf comes across like an Irish Noel Edmunds from that article.

The man's ego is off the chart at this stage.

thesandeman

Have to say I've always been a fan of Alf. He is very knowledgeable about music and seems to love what he is doing (which is more than can be said about some of the other overpaid presenters on Radio 1). Lillian has improved since her return but I still find her a bit disinterested. I love Fiachna as a musician but as a DJ not so much. The other lads are just background sounds for me.
Carol does a brilliant job and is playing a blinder tonight. She knows her music and has the chat as well. I hope she has her name in the hat for the future.

Mr Sea Wolf

Lillian Smith was on last night and she said that she is taking over just for 3 or 4 weeks. My guess is a surplus to requirement older 2fm presenter to get the gig.

Losty Dublin

Mr Sea Wolf wrote: »

Lillian Smith was on last night and she said that she is taking over just for 3 or 4 weeks. My guess is a surplus to requirement older 2fm presenter to get the gig.

If she is as unhealthy tonight as she was yesterday then she may not last a week. The poor gal was in bits.

PacMan

I heard that a lady presenter, who currently works on local radio is getting the gig.

Mr Sea Wolf

Speaking of Late Date, why on earth was Lillian Smith replaced at weekends with that dull boring man ? I know Lillian isn't very exciting either but Jesus that guy is bland.

dixiefly

Why is Lilian not getting the gig?

heybaby

dixiefly wrote: »

Why is Lilian not getting the gig?

Not a big enough name I'd say. Still think it'll be Rick o Shea myself, unless they move creedon to late date and rick into creedons slot.

P. Breathnach

dixiefly wrote: »

Why is Lilian not getting the gig?

heybaby wrote: »

Not a big enough name I'd say....

I don't think Late Date needs a big name presenter: it's a niche programme. For those, like me, who inhabit that niche, Lillian has plenty of name recognition, more than Alf had when he was given the gig.

heybaby

P. Breathnach wrote: »

I don't think Late Date needs a big name presenter: it's a niche programme. For those, like me, who inhabit that niche, Lillian has plenty of name recognition, more than Alf had when he was given the gig.

Oh believe me I think Lilian is a great presenter, but the bosses clearly dont think she's heavyweight enough to give her the job fulltime, its the only thing I can think of thats working against her as she is perfect for that time of night.

Euphoria Intensifies

heybaby wrote:

Not a big enough name I'd say. Still think it'll be Rick o Shea myself, unless they move creedon to late date and rick into creedons slot.

Creedon apparently hated doing Late Date, so can't see him moving back to it. I think you could be right about Rick O'Shea. He has the poetry show on R1 (which is surprisingly quite good) and I thought he was decent when he did later slots on 2fm. His voice suits that time of day.

seachto7

Love the late night music shows on weekend Radio 1.

Losty Dublin

P. Breathnach wrote: »

I don't think Late Date needs a big name presenter: it's a niche programme. For those, like me, who inhabit that niche, Lillian has plenty of name recognition, more than Alf had when he was given the gig.

Agreed that Lilian had more recognition in the slot, which she has been co-hosting for a long time now. She has a young family as well to consider; who's to say that she wasn't offered the chance?

P. Breathnach

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Agreed that Lilian had more recognition in the slot, which she has been co-hosting for a long time now. She has a young family as well to consider; who's to say that she wasn't offered the chance?

I'm fairly sure that it wasn't offered to her, although I don't know for sure.

Isn't she based in Cork? I had the impression that RTÉ was happy enough to have Late Date come from Cork. Then, almost perversely, they gave it to a Corkman based in Dublin.

I think the reason was money. Lillian is a contractor, and Alf was a staffer. As they were paying Alf anyway, the probably decided to use him in that slot rather than take on the cost of paying Lillian.

We might get lumbered with another staffer for whom they don't have a clear role. Derek Mooney? John Murray?

Trebor176

I'm bumping the thread, as there doesn't seem to be any more word on whether there will be a new presenter doing Monday-Friday. Lillian finished up her current stint on Wednesday, having been presenting Monday-Friday, then Monday-Wednesday since January, with Fiachna doing weekends and then Thursday and Friday for the last few weeks.

Aonghus McAnally has been doing a few shows over the last week or two, but I don't think he's going to become the permanent presenter. I guess it will probably be himself Monday-Wednesday and Fiachna for the rest of the week for the time being.

Euphoria Intensifies

Someone posted a thread last week saying that Cathal Murray had tweeted to say he was leaving the Weekend on One early morning slot. Few of us thought he might end up at Late Date in some capacity. No word of as yet though, either confirming or denying.

thesandeman

Euphoria Intensifies wrote: »

Someone posted a thread last week saying that Cathal Murray had tweeted to say he was leaving the Weekend on One early morning slot. Few of us thought he might end up at Late Date in some capacity. No word of as yet though, either confirming or denying.

That's interesting. He just got a mention on Late Date about his sleeping pattern.
You could be on the right track.

Cube98

Alfie still feels hard done by because RTE dispensed with his services https://www.echolive.ie/corklives/arid-40218665.html

Brendan Bendar

Amazing how many of these lads think they can stay in bosom of RTE till they are carried out.

Odyssey 2005

Brendan Bendar wrote: »

Amazing how many of these lads think they can stay in bosom of RTE till they are carried out.

It's working well for the useless ones. At least Alf came across as an affable man. Enjoyed his show.

Pelvis Parsley

Cathal Murray is making a fine job of it.

I don’t get to listen as often as I like but he’s a great man to engage with a tweet or a text, as is John Creedon.

Cube98

Remember tho after Alf left, Late date went about 18 months without a permanent host, every man and his dog hosted it at one stage during that time. I wonder why they didn't give Alf a freelance contract? He wouldn't be my cup of tea but it sounded very unprofessional for an national radio station to leave a show without a permanent host for that long

Nadine O'Regan really killing it tonight (in a good way). I don't get to hear a lot of Late Date these days, I'm not sure how often she's in the seat. Just has a really great voice for this slot, playing an eclectic, chilled-out selection of music.

ArtSmart

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Nadine O'Regan really killing it tonight (in a good way). I don't get to hear a lot of Late Date these days, I'm not sure how often she's in the seat. Just has a really great voice for this slot, playing an eclectic, chilled-out selection of music.

Yeah, gonna have to disagree there (to paraphrase Office Space). Nice enough personality, but waaaay too much "chat". AND, she cut short two songs in my listening time (She's rarely on, to ans ur q)


She's more rte 2 material. No cruelty meant towards her, but...nah. Not for Late Date (and esp not for Lyric!)

ETA And I mean cut short so she could chat, not for the news etc.

ford fiesta

ArtSmart wrote: »

She's more rte 2 material. No cruelty meant towards her, but...nah. Not for Late Date (and esp not for Lyric!)

rte 2..you mean 2FM?

pm1977x

I really like her voice and presenting style, she plays some great stuff, although she played Blind Melon last night which is nearly unforgivable. Has a touch of the Pat O’Mahony about her when it comes to cueing up the weather/news sometimes but she’s a pleasant change.

ArtSmart

ford fiesta wrote: »

rte 2..you mean 2FM?

Lol. Ok, I'm an Oldie...lol

ArtSmart

pm1977x wrote: »

I really like her voice and presenting style, she plays some great stuff, although she played Blind Melon last night which is nearly unforgivable. Has a touch of the Pat O’Mahony about her when it comes to cueing up the weather/news sometimes but she’s a pleasant change.

Guess I like me late night 100% mellow. She has a lovely voice, but it's just to bright for Night.

ArtSmart

Shame they cut the Lyric hours

Going podcasting the bauld Mr Kelly
nite all

ford fiesta

aware she has had her own shows on Independent radio stations, though it feels like I'm listening to college radio.

I guess she's just being herself.

ford fiesta

former today fm presenter louise duffy filling in on Late Date tonight.

They must be REALLY getting desperate for presenters at this stage...

There's plenty of experienced radio presenters (staffers), already wandering around RTE who could be called to fill in on this slot..

Trebor176

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119278657#Comment_119278657

Louise is on again tonight.

thesandeman

Lovely stuff tonight. I don't normally get to listen at this hour.

Sinéad ? covering.

deise man

Nadine o regan covering last 2 nights on late date. Lovely presentation style and really enjoyed the music selection.

RINO87

Ha, came on here to ask if that was her just now

gluppers

Bumping this thread:

Is late date turning into the best music show on RTE radio?

Cathal Murray playing some great stuff these nights

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/late-date/programmes/2022/1115/1336374-late-date-tuesday-15-november-2022/

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119880863#Comment_119880863

For my money, John Creedon takes that title.

But Late Date can be an absolute pleasure to listen to too!

Electric Gypsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119880883#Comment_119880883

Creedon plays the same handful of artists about 50% of the time. It's a joke.

Electric Gypsy

I asked Cathal if he'd play Ryan Adams but he didn't reply to my email. I wonder do RTE black-list certain artists, and thereby forbid their presenters from playing their songs?