Shay Healy on life and work since he composed the Eurovision Song Contest winner, 'What's Another Year'.
Songwriter, broadcaster and journalist penned 'What's Another Year’, the song which won the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland, performed by Johnny Logan.
While fame and fortune did not materialise on the scale that was expected for Shay Healy, he has no regrets and is grateful that this chapter in his life gave him the opportunity to pursue his passion.
I got a life in music out of the Eurovision.
This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 2 May 1986. The presenter is Gay Byrne.
'The Late Late Show' was intended to be a summer "filler" but proved so successful with the public that it became part of the regular schedule. The idea for the programme came from the show's producer, Tom McGrath, who wanted to present an Irish version of the American talk show 'The Tonight Show'.
Gay Byrne was to be the show's presenter and would remain so for the next 37 years. Tom McGrath's original idea was that the show would be informal and have the feel of people dropping in for a chat.
'The Late Late Show' became an important forum for the airing and debating of many issues in a changing Irish society.
The first programme of 'The Late Late Show' was broadcast at 11.20 pm, 6 July 1962. At the time, it was unusual to have a live talk and entertainment show on so late in the day's viewing. On that first show, the guests were Count Cyril McCormack, Ken Gray, George Desmond Hodnett and Harry Thuillier. McGrath would go on to pioneer many other successful variety shows on Irish television.
Pat Kenny replaced Gay Byrne as presenter in 1999 and remained in that position for 10 years. The programme was presented by Ryan Tubridy from 2009 to 2023. Patrick Kielty became the presenter in 2023.
