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 7)
Colm Tóibín (Episode 1)
Air date: 2013-01-06
Runtime: 28 min
Overview: Multi award-winning writer Colm Tóibín is Gay Byrne's guest in the first programme in the new series.
JP Donleavy (Episode 2)
Air date: 2013-01-13
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: Gay Byrne talks to JP Donleavy about his origins in the Bronx and the experiences, ideas and beliefs that have shaped his work.
John Lonergan (Episode 3)
Air date: 2013-01-20
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: Gay Byrne interviews John Lonergan about the values and beliefs which shaped – and were shaped by - his career in Irish prisons.
Maureen Gaffney (Episode 4)
Air date: 2013-01-27
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: Gay Byrne meets psychologist Maureen Gaffney to hear what gives her life meaning.
Maria Doyle (Episode 5)
Air date: 2013-02-03
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: Award-winning actor and singer, Maria Doyle Kennedy, talks to Gay Byrne.
Christina Noble (Episode 6)
Air date: 2013-02-10
Runtime: 27 min
Overview: Christina Noble reveals to Gay the extraordinary events and inspiration that led her, as a formerly homeless Dublin child rape victim, to devote her life to helping Asian street children.
Bono (Episode 7)
Air date: 2013-06-25
