Joe Duffy has been joined by friends, fans, and well-wishers as he said goodbye to Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1.
Watch: Joe Duffy signs off from Liveline
Live from Studio One in the RTÉ Radio Centre for what the host described as "the hullabaloo", Joe Duffy welcomed Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Callan's Kicks, Paul Harrington, Brush Shiels, June Rodgers, Claudia Boyle, Declan O'Rourke, The Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, The Camembert Quartet, and more to the show.
Read more: Joe Duffy hailed as a 'broadcasting genius' ahead of RTÉ Radio 1 departure
President Michael D Higgins led the tributes to the veteran broadcaster with a special message delivered to RTÉ on the day, which was read out on the programme by Joe Duffy's RTÉ Radio 1 colleague Shay Byrne.
President Higgins saluted Joe Duffy for "so many years of dedicated service" and extended "the warmest of thanks on behalf of the Irish people for your remarkable contribution to public life".
"One that you have shaped with empathy, insight, and an unwavering commitment to the voices of ordinary people," he wrote.
Listen: Joe Duffy's last Liveline
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President Higgins said the Liveline host had "demonstrated a lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and public service".
"Since you first presented Liveline in 1998, the programme has served not merely as a radio programme but as a civic space; a forum for the voicing of concerns, active public engagement, democratic dialogue, and the expression of that rich and complex tapestry which constitutes Irish society," President Higgins continued.
"Your stewardship of that space, with your distinctive blend of compassion, curiosity, and courage, has been both passionate and principled, marked by a rare empathy, making an enduring contribution to our public discourse."
President Higgins and his wife Sabina wished Joe Duffy "every happiness and fulfilment in the years ahead".
"May this new chapter bring you the same richness of engagement and meaning that you have given to so many throughout your long and remarkable career."
Read more: How Joe Duffy changed Irish radio forever
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described Joe Duffy as "the voice of the people".
"You are authentic. You gave the people a platform," he continued as he joined the programme on air.
"I think you never left your roots. Your working-class background stood to you. The values that your parents and family gave to you, I think, were the reason why you were unique.
"You had a unique capacity to mediate between the people and authority and allow them to tell their stories.
"On a personal level, we've known you going back to my student days, where you taught me a few things when I was a student activist."
"You forgot them quick enough, Mick!" quipped the man of the hour.
"I learned a lot from you," An Taoiseach continued after the laughter had subsided.
"And later on in life, in west Cork and elsewhere, our paths crossed... Your personal acts of kindness have always been quite extraordinary and something that has touched our family quite a lot. And I just wanted to say that to you, because I think it's your kindness and your compassion that rings true on the radio but also in personal life - that's the kind of person you are."
"You kept us all on our toes over the years," Mr Martin recalled. "And I can remember many a civil servant coming running into me in the afternoon, saying: 'Liveline's gone mad! It's after going on fire! We've got to do this, that, or the other!'
"But one difference between you and social media, if I may say: you had balance on every show. Somebody else got to give the other side of the story, or at least you gave them the opportunity.
"Look, you were just a wonderful platform for people. Survivors of institutions, people who may not often get the opportunity, who didn't have PR people or anything like that. They just picked up the phone, they rang you, and you guided them through to tell their story. People will be forever in your debt."
"As I am to them," replied the host, wishing An Taoiseach, "your colleagues and your family good health and godspeed in this very, very difficult world that we live in at the moment".
Fittingly, the programme's last musical number was the Jimmy Webb classic Wichita Lineman, performed by Paul Harrington and The Camembert Quartet.
Joe Duffy reminded listeners: "Liveline goes on on Monday with PBH - Philip Boucher-Hayes is there on Monday."
He signed off: "Love you all, it's been a privilege."
Liveline, weekdays, RTÉ Radio 1, 1:45pm
Sin é 👏👏 thanks for everything Joe 💙#Liveline @rteliveline @joeliveline pic.twitter.com/u9e9HtavaB
— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) June 27, 2025
