Entertainment « Thurles Information

RTÉ Spending Public Donations While Sitting On A €725 Million State Bailout.

For many viewers, RTÉ no longer looks like an independent broadcaster but a taxpayer-supported institution protected by Government funding, despite repeated controversies.

After receiving a €725 million taxpayer-funded rescue package, RTÉ now faces growing criticism that it has become increasingly dependent on the State while asking the public to continue funding both its operations and charitable initiatives.

RTÉ is facing mounting criticism after launching a tender process that could see up to €855,000 spent on outside consultants to manage and distribute Late Late Toy Show Appeal funds, despite the broadcaster already benefiting from a massive taxpayer-funded rescue package worth €725 million over three years.

The national broadcaster is seeking a consultancy firm to oversee grant assessments, compliance, audits, reporting, PR support and fund distribution linked to the Toy Show Appeal, which has raised more than €31 million since 2020. Crucially, the tender documents confirm that the consultancy costs “will be deducted from the Fund” itself — meaning public donations intended for children’s charities will partly finance administration and consultancy fees.

The move is likely to anger many taxpayers and viewers who have already watched RTÉ receive extraordinary levels of state support following the broadcaster’s financial and governance scandals. In July 2024, the Government approved a controversial €725 million public funding package for RTÉ covering the years 2025 to 2027, effectively guaranteeing the broadcaster’s future despite collapsing public trust after the Ryan Tubridy payment controversy.

That bailout followed an earlier emergency rescue package worth €56 million approved in late 2023.

Now, critics are asking why an organisation already heavily dependent on taxpayers and public donations requires nearly another €1 million for consultants to administer a charity fund.

RTÉ insists the appeal operates efficiently, pointing to figures claiming that 96.7% of all Toy Show Appeal money raised has gone directly to frontline charities, with operating costs accounting for 3.3% of funds raised over five years. But opponents argue that almost €900,000 in administration costs remains difficult to justify given the emotional public fundraising campaigns surrounding the annual Toy Show.

The controversy comes as RTÉ also faces backlash over its politically charged decision to boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation. Ireland is among several countries refusing to participate or broadcast the event this year.

The decision is expected to drive large Irish audiences toward rival UK coverage on BBC One, over the coming nights, with BBC broadcasts now becoming the default viewing option for many Eurovision fans in Ireland.

While millions across Europe tune into Eurovision from Vienna this week, RTÉ will instead stupidly air alternative programming including reruns such as ‘Father Ted’ during the final.

For many critics, the optics are increasingly damaging; a broadcaster reliant on hundreds of millions in taxpayer support, deducting consultancy fees from children’s charity donations, while simultaneously walking away from one of Europe’s biggest television events and effectively handing audiences to the BBC.

A Song For A Sunday.

Somebody’s Always Saying Goodbye.

Lyrics: Retired American songwriter Robert Lee McDill McDill.
Vocals: Canadian country-pop artist Anne Murray.

Released in 1982, “Somebody’s Always Saying Goodbye” is one of Ms Anne Murray’s most heartfelt country-pop ballads. Written by Bob McDill, the song beautifully captures the sadness and inevitability of parting, whether in love, friendship, or life itself. With Anne Murray’s warm, emotional vocals and gentle melody, the song became a memorable hit from her album ‘The Hottest Night of the Year’, reaching the top ranks of country and adult contemporary charts in Canada and the United States. Its timeless message about love and loss continues to touch listeners around the world.

Somebody’s Always Saying Goodbye.

Railroad station, Midnight trains,
Lonely airports in the rain,
And somebody stands there with tears in their eyes,
It’s the same old scene, time after time.
That’s the trouble with all mankind,
Somebody’s always sayin’ goodbye.
Taxi cabs leave in the night,
Greyhound buses with red tail lights.
Someone’s leavin’ and someone’s left behind,
Well I don’t know how things got that way,
But every place you look these days,
Somebody’s always sayin’ goodbye.
Take two people like me and you,
We could have made it, we just quit too soon.
Oh the two of us, we could have had it all,
If we’d only tried.
But that’s the way love is it seems,
Just when you’ve got a real good thing,
Somebody’s always sayin’ goodbye.
Somebody’s always sayin’ goodbye.

END

Lovin’ You.

Lyrics and Vocals: American singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman Ms Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Some songs speak softly to the heart, and “Lovin’ You” is one of those timeless expressions of devotion and tenderness. Dolly Parton’s gentle words remind us that true love is not only found in happiness, but also in standing beside someone through their broken moments, offering comfort, loyalty, and healing. The following lines beautifully capture that spirit of unconditional love and faithful devotion.

Lovin’ You.

Lovin’ you is my great honour,
Lovin’ you, my pride and joy.
I’ll defend you, I will mend you,
When you’re broken like a toy.
When your burdens get too heavy,
When you’re weary to the bone,
I will help you hold it steady,
Pack it up and head for home.
I will love you come whatever,
I will be there when you call.
I’ll encourage each endeavour,
Be the first one to applaud.
I’ll correct you when you’re sideways,
I will praise you when you win.
I will be there for you always
With a love that never ends.
I will always. (I will always).
I will always. (I will always).
I will always (always) be lovin’ you.
Midst the chaos and confusion,
I am never far behind.
My love is your transfusion,
To restore your soul and mind.
I will nurse you back to freedom,
Doctor up your shattered parts.
Two arms here when you need ’em,
And one lovin’, open heart.
And if the world should end tomorrow,
And we both know that it might.
‘Mongst the darkness and the sorrow,
I will be your guiding light.
And if God sees fit to let us,
Be together ever more,
If I had one question granted,
That’s what I would ask him for.
And I will love you come whatever,
I will catch you when you fall.
I’ll encourage each endeavour,
When your back’s against the wall.
I will hold you when you’re fragile,
I will always let you in.
I will rock you like a sweet child,
Like a lover and a friend.
I will always. (I will always).
I will always. (I will always).
I will always (always) be lovin’ you.
I will always (always), I will always (always).
Yes, I will always be lovin’ you (lovin’ you).
Lovin’ you (lovin’ you), lovin’ you.
Lovin’ you.
I’m lovin’ you.
(Lovin’ you, I’m lovin’ you, lovin you).
I will love you come whatever,
I will always let you in.
I will rock you like a baby,
Be your lover and your friend.
I’ll defend you, I will mend you.
I will always see you through,
And I will always (I will always), I will always love you.

END.

Sir David Attenborough Celebrates 100 Years As World Honours A Voice For Nature.

Legendary British broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough marked his 100th birthday, today Friday, May 8th 2026, receiving an extraordinary wave of tributes from around the world, after more than seven decades spent bringing the wonders of nature into millions of homes.
Born on May 8th, 1926 in Isleworth, Middlesex, England, Sir David has become one of the most respected and recognisable voices in broadcasting history.

In a heartfelt audio message released by the BBC, Sir David said he had expected a quiet celebration but was deeply moved by the global response to his milestone birthday. Messages arrived from children, families, schools and care homes, reflecting the affection generations of viewers feel for the man whose storytelling transformed wildlife filmmaking.

Across Britain, celebrations were organised to honour his remarkable contribution to television and environmental awareness. The BBC scheduled a week of special programming dedicated to his life and work, while events including concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall, museum exhibitions, nature walks and tree-planting ceremonies were held nationwide.

For over 70 years, Sir David has documented the beauty, complexity and fragility of the natural world. His groundbreaking documentaries, including Life on Earth, The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet and Dynasties, revolutionised natural history broadcasting and inspired millions to care about wildlife and conservation.

Some of his most unforgettable moments include a famous encounter with playful mountain gorillas during the filming of Life on Earth, dramatic footage of orcas hunting seals in icy waters, and his emotional narration of the story of “Lonesome George,” the final surviving Pinta Island tortoise whose death marked the extinction of his species. These powerful scenes helped audiences understand both the wonder and vulnerability of life on Earth.

In recent decades, Attenborough has become one of the world’s strongest advocates for environmental protection. His acclaimed 2017 series Blue Planet II highlighted the devastating impact of plastic pollution in the oceans and sparked public pressure for action on waste reduction and conservation measures worldwide.

Despite his global fame, colleagues and friends often describe Attenborough as modest and deeply committed to public service. Producer Mike Gunton said Attenborough viewed himself not as a celebrity, but as someone fortunate enough to speak on behalf of the natural world.

Even at 100, Attenborough remains actively involved in filmmaking. One of the latest BBC projects celebrating his centenary is Secret Garden, a series exploring the hidden wildlife thriving in Britain’s gardens and green spaces.

Attenborough’s career began at the BBC in the early 1950s, before he rose through the organisation to become a senior television executive. However, his passion for storytelling and wildlife drew him back in front of the camera, leading to the creation of Life on Earth in 1979 — the landmark series that established him as a household name around the globe.

Today, Sir David Attenborough is regarded not only as a pioneering broadcaster, but also as one of the most influential communicators of science and conservation in modern history. His work has inspired generations to appreciate the natural world and to recognise the urgent need to protect it for the future.

Senior Irish Journalist, Teacher, Author & Producer Brendan O’Brien Dies Aged 82.

It was with a great personal sadness that I learned of the passing of prominent senior Irish journalist, history teacher, author and producer, Mr Brendan O’Brien at the age of 82. Same marks the loss of a remarkable figure whose influence reached far beyond the world of media.

I first encountered Mr O’Brien in the late 1960s, when he was my history teacher during my final secondary school years. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, never seeking attention, yet commanding respect effortlessly. His lessons were always thoughtfully prepared, and through both his teaching and daily interactions, it became clear that he was a man of deep honesty. His words were simple, direct, and sincere, never crafted to impress, only to reflect truth. That authenticity earned the instinctive trust of his students, and it was from him that I personally developed a lifelong love of history.

Integrity defined him. He stood firmly by his beliefs, never swayed by convenience or the need for approval. At our boarding school, he introduced the first debating society, organising one of its earliest public debates in 1969, on Ireland’s proposed entry into the European Union; a debate in which I spoke against the motion.

Mr O’Brien’s abilities were equally striking. Sharp-minded and adaptable, he approached challenges with determination and focus, consistently turning effort into meaningful achievement. He was never loud or boastful, yet his presence was always felt.

From 1974 to 2002, he became a respected reporter on RTÉ One Prime Time, producing notable documentaries on the IRA. One particularly significant moment in his career was his decision to follow and confront Mr Martin Cahill, “The General”, on camera in the street, reflecting his fearless approach to journalism.

I later met him again in the canteen at RTÉ. Recognising me immediately, he invited me to record my first voice-over for Hall’s Pictorial Weekly. He handed me a short script requiring an American accent, and I was paid £17 for just 15 minutes’ work, a memorable and generous gesture at the time.

In 1983, he received a Jacob’s Award for his reporting on ‘Today Tonight‘, one of many honours he earned for his investigative journalism. After retiring from RTÉ, he continued to contribute meaningfully through lectures on the Northern Ireland conflict and the peace process.

As an author, he wrote The Long War: The IRA and Sinn Féin, and the children’s book The Story of Ireland, which won the Irish Children’s Book of the Year Award in 2008.
“The Long War“ tells the story of the IRA and Sinn Fein from their beginnings right up to the Good Friday Agreement in Easter 1998 and beyond. It tracks the IRA’s military strategy, their bombing and killing campaign, coupled with massive arms supplies from Libya and the long, torturous, at times secret, journey led by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness through two ceasefires to a negotiated compromise. The Long War contains major source material and details the roles of key peacemakers in Ireland, Britain and America and also of the dissident militarists who intend continuing the war against Britain.

“The Story of Ireland” begins ‘After the Ice’ and lasts 9000 years. It tells the story of the whole island and its people. The book’s 27 chapters chronicle the big picture of invasions, wars, Christianity, famine and a divided island, mixed with tales of Celtic head hunters, mysterious stone tombs, the Vikings, the black death, life in castles, the Titanic tragedy, music, mobiles and computers. When it ends a new story is just beginning.

Our paths crossed again when he visited the former now closed Great Famine and War Museum in Thurles, County Tipperary, where he attended a lecture I gave on World War II, during a visit by a Fine Gael Minister.

A graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the University of Ulster, he later worked with Newstalk from 2005 to 2010, presenting ‘The Saturday Edition‘.

Mr Brendan O’Brien is survived by his wife, five children, and three grandchildren. He will be remembered not only for his distinguished career, but for the quiet strength, integrity, and inspiration he brought to all who knew him.

May He Rest In Peace.