A famous sequence from 1997, when host Gay Byrne spoke with a recently bereaved mother who was chosen at random from among hundreds of thousands of entries for a postal quiz. A unique moment in the history of Irish television.
I was laughing along with the audience at the phone hiccups.....then bang, my jaw dropped and i gasped along with the audience. That poor woman. She held it together so well. May her daughter rest peacefully in Heaven.
Astonishing television. Gay Byrne one of the greatest. Beautiful words from the Nun and the Poet. Could only happen in Ireland and for that the Irish should be very proud.
Tragic loss of life by car accident. As I watch this for first time today three victims of car crash alone today. On dear Boy 9 years old hit and run Bundoran and two young 20 year olds passed RIP. Such human suffering for all involved. God give them solice peace and love. Pray for them all. It's been a most difficult year on Irish Roads. My heart goes out to all victims survivors and loved ones attached. Lost for words like Gay in this clip.
That was my first time watching Gay Byrne. I love him from that one fonecall with Rita. Il bet there is no one can fill his shoes. Rip to Linda, Rita, Martin and Gay. I lost my own daughter on Easter Monday 13th April 2020. She was aged 43 yrs.
RIP to the late great Brendan Kennelly who died just weeks ago on October 17th, 2021, and who's poem could have been commissioned for the circumstances, incredible coincidences all over this incident.
Never seen this before but Gay Byrne just proves what a professional he was don’t think many of today’s TV Presenters could handle a situation like that
Tears poured down my face. How hard life can be. The reflex of the panel who ran automatically and the audience to rally round her. The coincidence of the first caller not being picked and her card coming up. Gay was a brilliant people's person, and mustered up the support of panel and audience.
What an amazing lady to take the question in memory of her daughter. Gay was fantastic and I’m sat here realising how short and precious life is !! RIP Linda 💚
Thanks so much for sharing this incredible piece of television. Only Gay Byrne could have handled such a tragic situation so professionally and with such ease. To have to clarity of thought to turn to Brendan Kenneally for his beautiful poem at the end...another master of his craft.
I agree. How he could even come up with the thought of thinking of asking brendan for the Poem, and knowing to clear it with brendan first, as only performers can know if a piece will fit the mood, is a testament to his sensitivity while still remaining in control of all that is going on. Under all those lights, the audience, the time constraint, and knowing the calls he would get on his radio show on Monday morning. You can't teach this.
HANLEY (Togher, Cork): On September 16th, 2021, peacefully, at the Mercy University Hospital. RITA (née McCarthy) late of Shandon Street, dearly loved wife of the late Noel and much loved mother of Steven, Paul, Neal, Valerie, Sonya, and the late David, Lynda and Ruth, and loving sister of Florrie, Chrissy, Len, Alec, Denise and the late Olive and Nuala.
Different times in 1997...we all miss Uncle Gaybo...and RIP Rita Hanley September 2021..who tragically lost 2 more children since her serendipitous night on The Late Late Show.
God is very much real. God orchestrated all of what you are about to see.. from the other caller not been available.. to there been a nun and poet to offer comfort. Some of the best live television ive ever seen
This is unbelievably sad the brutal loss ending of Linda’s life so young at the same time the Camaraderie - everyone trying with their souls to ease this poor woman’s loss! Thinking about Rita & Linda ❤
That’s a shame. I can understand that her family may find it upsetting, but it’s such a remarkable piece of television that I believe it should be out there for people to see.
To those who attack RTE for whatever reason just take a look at this video and see how well everyone involved handled this. No doubt the same reaction would happen if a situation like this would happen again.
Those who attack RTE have every right to do so ... Especially for never replacing the host ( at great cost to everyone ) .. You should be ashamed of yourself
Perhaps the greatest and most heartbreaking thing I ever saw on live TV, Gay sort of manages it but Brendan Kennelly, knocked it so far out of the park that the sliotar is still sailing through the air. I'd either started or was already in the middle of a study year in France perhaps the greatest year of my life till my children were born and I watched it all with my Mom. RIP to her, to Rita and to her tragically short-lived Daughter.
This is so sad was going post it on Facebook but maybe it's to personal my heart felt so sad for the next caller start funny but end up sad I think every bady was there that night remember this night so many people are gone that was there that night .this will stay with me .
After 40 years I made this video about one of the countries that I Love the Most… Ireland. My daughter just visited the Green Emerald last week and that was my driver to make this video!!! If I have to mention two events that marked my life while in Ireland … Taking part in Saint Patrick’s Parade was one of them and secondly to be invited to the Late Late Show magically conducted by the best TV presenter I ever met! Gay Byrne!!! With my most sincere and warm feelings for my friends in Ireland! May this New Year bring Health and Happiness to All Irish people!! Gustavo Vélez ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q1-xmFGf7L0.html
Why are people here saying what a pro Gay Byrne was.....he interrogated a woman whose daughter had been killed the night before: was she single? Was she driving? How did she die? Did she die instantly? Disgusting behaviour, disrespectful probing, all for a good show?? Thankfully Brendan Kennelly was there.
@Michelle Ryan How exactly?, he was asking questions and trying to form an empathetic connection under the burdensome glare of live television. If Pat the plank or Twitcher Tubridy encountered a situation like this they would have handled it like a guy in a neck brace falling backwards down an escalator. Gaybo demonstrated something that is being lost to an increasingly individualist younger generation here, the ability to connect with someone through showing an interest in their plight and developing from there through pertinently effective communication technique, not summarily dismissing them because their plight is "awkward" for you.
@@paddypenman2682 You tell m Paddy ... He wanting to know was she married and maybe leaving a family of her own behind ... I wouldn't be wanting them at my funeral Instagraming it
@@paddypenman2682 Well said Paddy. It was an incredibly emotion piece of live broadcasting. The joy & fun of the first part and then smack between the eyes with this heartbreak. I believe Gay himself felt a shock that he manifested himself out of very well with empathy and comfort for the poor woman. Even in an admission...'I'm lost for words' and deligated response from his guests. Remarkable. May the light of heaven shine on them. God bless.
@@catherinedaly3382she was a love! But im sure she was very glad the other lady was picked instead. And that lovely poem. Her daughter was surely sending a message to her mom.
A daughter sends in her mother's entry to a competition to win a car, then walks to catch a bus, but gets knocked down and killed by someone driving a car, then the following day her mother wins the car. A very difficult moment in television, certainly, but what an unforgettable chain of events to arrive at the call. And who plays tennis at 11pm on a Friday night? It started out so funny - "Turn on the TV! Turn on the bloody TV!". And there were bound to be a few regrettable moments ... "And was she killed instantly?" / "It's kind of grotesque but however, pick a number". Thankfully a nice call for the mother, not only winning a car but having so many people grieve with her. But to have a real poet on the show? With a beautiful poem at the ready? A nice ending too - "God love you in your sorrow and we're all with you ... God bless you, love, goodbye".
I just watched this episode of the Late Late Show my Wife and I were both watching that night live as it happened the unexpected turn of events you just could not have imagined we went from laughter to floods of tears but watching it now with the added memory of my own sweet brother Martin who only two years later suffered the same terrible fate his life taken away from his young Wife and four young Sons by a careless driver whilst he was walking along the road. I remember the sadness I felt on hearing Rita telling us about the death of her daughter Lynda but I hadn't a clue of the depth of pain Rita was feeling until it came to our home and it really takes your breath away you cannot breath you don't know if you are going to cope or get over such depth of emotion but Rita like me and others will know that the sadness will always stay with us but the depth of pain eases with time. I miss Gay Byrne the quality of the show no longer has that sparkle for me nor the presence of a genius in control Gay was up there with the rest of the World and anyone who was anyone wanted to be on the Late Late Show I pray one day Ireland will find a new Gay Byrne someone who will have that Charisma and pump life back into this once great great show. I once would never miss a Late Late Show and now I never watch one. Rip Gay , Lynda and Martin God keep you all close.
I'm sorry for your loss. This is the reason and others I wish the automobile had never been invented. The catastrophe and heartache it continues to inflict is just awful
What an incredible live television moment, and so uniquely irish, Gay Byrne, a nun and a great poet, all finding just the right words, when everyone else is left speechless.
Everything wrong with Irish TV you mean. Two hours of awkwardness and misery on a Friday evening. As if it's some sort of mortal sin to enjoy yourself at the weekend.
Tears flowing like a waterfall. So many layers here. The professionalism the empathy ...the sheer openess and engagement. A stunning piece of television history. Mr Byrne was rightly revered. Never mawkish. Always engaged. I just hope Rita knows how future generations see this and feel her loss and long for her to be comforted.
Couldn't have said it better. Somewhere in Ireland there is a little lady, who this Christmas morning doesn't know I am crying tears for her and her family. I hope with time she found solace and great comfort in those around her.
Only true professionals and genuine hearts could handle this awful situation so well. I'd say Gay was relieved to have Brendan to call upon for support. May they all rest in peace.
It was a beautiful moment for sure. The poem was just EVERYTHING in that moment when mundane condolences could never prove their worth. Very Irish indeed. Hope the prayers helped to lighten the load for dear Rita. 💔.
The first name they pulled out, Peter Lavelle, had an address on the North Circular road in Limerick and was at the tennis club, likely the Limeick Lawn near the North Circular. That road is a very affluent area of Limerick. By contrast, Rita lived in Togher which would not be considered a very affluent area of Cork. The right person won the prize.
Handled as only Gay could do , I loved the late late when Gay was at the Helm , the guests all participated & audience joined in ,, nothing like it since …
Ireland The realist place on Earth Lived there From 1981 to 1989 15 yrs to 23 yrs old as my parents were Irish Been back in NYC for 33 yrs now After seeing this show (we never missed it back then) It reminds me of how we were all connected in Ireland...4 million people living in the country and we practically all knew each other or had someone in common...Such a sad unexpected moment handled in the best possible way as the Irish do.. very moved by this...makes me realize I should have never left to return here..I love NYC..but its moments like this that reinforce the fact that I made a bad choice...
@@SuperJimbell I didn't have a choice moving there.. so I resented it at 1st....but looking back....I was too young to appreciate Ireland.... Couldn't afford to move back now..
I’ve never seen this before and it was incredibly moving. How we as strangers can show kindness and love and prayer for those in times of need. We don’t appreciate how precious life is and how simple a kind word is to someone. This entire exchange, is incredibly poetic. I love my island nation and I miss it. This makes me feel closer to my homeland.
Wow, amazingly handled situation. That poor woman. Not one for religion at all but seemed like truly comforting words from the nun, that was nice. Wonderful poem too, very emotional. Never seen this show in UK, been looking at some clips on RU-vid, would have liked something of that quality here.
Gay Byrne, an amazing host, man & a super human being. I don’t believe in accidents either & Linda was giving her mother a beautiful message. Rest in peace Linda & peace to the heart of your lives mother Rita.
Rita,!, in dublin ireland ,was living in London 97 I hope you have had a great life I'm sorry too hear about your daughter you were picked for a reason 😣😣😣😥😥😥 I hope heaven is everything to your daughter, how did this happen you get picked! I cycle by sutton grave cemetery, a lot on my way up to howth were gay is buried near fergal Quinn and Phil lynott, l will drop in and say hello for you and a prayer for your daughter, so sad only hearing about this now all these years later 😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇
This guy was and still is a true star. Personable and very talented he sure knew how to keep a crowd happy. I always liked Gilbert and always will. This track has always been my favourite.
