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.
The Meaning of Life (Season 11)
Hozier (Episode 1)
Air date: 2015-09-27
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: 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'.
Joan Burton (Episode 2)
Air date: 2015-10-04
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: Tánaiste Joan Burton talks to Gay Byrne about adoption, her early influences, politics and morality.
Diarmuid Gavin (Episode 3)
Air date: 2015-10-11
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: Gay speaks to gardener and television presenter Diarmuid Gavin.
Richard Dawkins (Episode 4)
Air date: 2015-10-18
Runtime: 32 min
Overview: 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.
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy (Episode 5)
Air date: 2015-10-25
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: 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.
Eckhart Tolle (Episode 6)
Air date: 2015-11-01
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: 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’.
