Joe Duffy returns this September with a new series of The Meaning of Life, in which public and influential figures reveal how their lives have shaped, or been shaped by, their experiences, choices, values and beliefs.
Joe Duffy:
“I am so proud that in this new series of The Meaning of Life we will reach the 100th episode of the programme on September 3rd 2023. I have always believed that the Meaning of Life style interview – in depth, personal, brilliantly and meticulously researched – has an important place in the schedule of the national public broadcaster.”
An extended interview with former Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin will mark the 100th episode of the programme when the new series starts on September 3rd on RTÉ One.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin talks candidly and emotionally about dealing with the clerical child sex abuse scandals in his former Archdiocese of Dublin, sharing his insights into the behaviour and motivation of perpetrators, their impact on victims, and how publicly addressing that wrong became a priority for him, despite resistance from within the Church. With remarkable honesty, he reveals the difficulties he faced as a seminarian.
Over the course of the 17th season of the programme, Joe also speaks with legendary three-time Eurovision winner, Johnny Logan, popular Irish author, Alice Taylor; former Presidential candidate and founding CEO of Chernobyl Children’s International, Adi Roche, World Champion and Gold Medal-winning sprinter, Jason Smyth, singer-songwriter, Tolü Makay, former Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, and Alliance Party Leader, Naomi Long.
Joe Duffy:
“I was deeply honoured that the interviewees in this series, from former Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, singer Johnny Logan, writer Alice Taylor, the remarkable Adi Roche, the former Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan, and many others opened up in such a frank and intimate way about their understanding of The Meaning of Life.”
The Meaning of Life airs for 8 weeks at 22:30pm on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player from September 3rd.
