Aonghus McAnally

Aonghus McAnally (born 20 June 1955)[1] is an Irish radio and television producer and presenter, as well as an actor, musician, magician and billiards champion.[1][2] He worked on both sides of the mic and camera for public service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann for over 40 years, retiring in June 2020.[2][1]

Aonghas McAnally
Born (1955-06-20) 20 June 1955
NationalityIrish
Occupation(s)Broadcaster, Actor, Musician, Magician
Known forAnything Goes
The Lyrics Board
WebsiteAonghusMcAnally.com

Early life

Aonghus is one of four children born to Abbey Theatre actress Ronnie Masterson and screen-actor Ray McAnally.[3][4] Film and television producer Conor McAnally is his only brother.[5]

Music

McAnally has been a guitarist[6] in a number of bands including Mushroom,[7][8][3] Maxband, Starband, and Crackers/The Crack[5] As a solo artist he released a novelty record I am Alergic to Christmas (written by fellow broadcaster Shay Healy) in 1981.[9]

A friend of singer-songwriter Christie Hennessy, he delivered his eulogy at his funeral.[2] He created a touring show as tribute to Hennessy.[4][2][10]

Television

McAnally's first presenting work was on young people's programming, including Anything Goes[1][3][11] young adult affairs show Borderline,[12] and magazine show Evening Extra.[13]

Moving away from youth programming, into light entertainment, McAnally presented The Big Top TV Show, a variety show based in a circus big top.

McAnally was the presenter of the first few season of the RTÉ One song lyrics game show The Lyrics Board.[1][3]

As a screen actor he had appearances on Wanderly Wagon in 1979[1][14][4] and a regular role in the Fir Bolg drama on TG4.

Radio

McAnally presented Both Sides Now, an interview series with members of the Irish diaspora.[15] He was a regular presenter of RTÉ Radio 1's Late Date.[4][2] As a radio producer,[16] he worked on Spectrum with former South African Ambassador, Melanie Verwoerd,[17][18][19] and was the series producer on the daily phone-in show Liveline until his retirement in 2020.[20][1][3][19]

Cue sports

McAnally has played billiards at an international level.[21][1] McAnally also covered snooker as an announcer and commentator.[22]

Other activities

McAnally is an accomplished magician.[23] McAnally performed a number of stand-up gigs in the early 2000s.[24] He created a one-man show based on his own life in 2019.[3]

Personal life

Aonghus married Billie Morton, and they have sons.[14][25] He has spoken publicly about his father's battle with alcoholism, creating the Irish language documentary Ray McAnally - M'Athair ("My Father") for TG4 in 2009.[26][4] He has had hair replacement treatments.[11]

References
  1. Corr, Alan (19 June 2020). "Aonghus McAnally retires after 41 years working in RTÉ". RTÉ TEN. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  2. Nolan, Larissa (8 October 2017). "Aonghus McAnally: I will not let my finances go to pot". TheTimes.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  3. "My cultural life: Aonghus McAnally". independent. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  4. Feighan, Irene (22 September 2017). "Shape I'm In: Aonghus McAnally on his Christy Hennessy tribute tour". IrishExaminer.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  5. "Irish Rock Discography: Aonghus McAnally". www.irishrock.org. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  6. Hannigan, Mary. "TV View: Merson conjures the Twilight Zone to help Sky Sports News fill schedule". Irish Times.
  7. "Renowned fiddle player Pat Collins has died". RTÉ TEN. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  8. "Tributes pour in following the death of Irish violinist Patrick Collins". Hot Press. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  9. "I Am Alergic To Christmas" at Discogs
  10. Clayton-Lea, Tony. "Me & My Money: Aonghus McAnally, performer and RTÉ presenter". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  11. "Broadcaster Aonghus McAnally reveals he recently got a hair transplant: 'My hair always defined me'". independent. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  12. Mordaunt, John (1989). Facing Up to AIDS. Dublin: O'Brien Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-86278-191-0.
  13. "Fungi The Dolphin". RTÉ Archives. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  14. "The family business: the next generation of the McAnally acting dynasty". independent. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  15. O'Brien, Matthew J. (2001). Irishness in Great Britain and the United States: Transatlantic and Cross-channel Migration Networks and Irish Ethnicity, 1920-90. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 446, 447. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  16. LucyB Lightner (1 September 2012). Susan Boyle, Professional Singer: The Sixth Six Months. Lulu.com. pp. 93, 94, 299, 488. ISBN 978-1-300-11881-7. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  17. Verwoerd, Melanie (10 October 2012). When We Dance: A Memoir. Dublin: Liberties Press. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-907593-73-4. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  18. "RTÉ Radio 1 To Broadcast A Polish Spectrum Special" (Press release). RTÉ News. 2007. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2020 – via Wayback Machine.
  19. Dooley, Aidan (1 September 2016). Travels with Tom Crean. Dublin: Gill Books. pp. 166–168. ISBN 978-1-84889-594-2. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  20. Ryan, Jennifer. "'Secret RTÉ Producer tweeter needs a good slap,' says Aonghus McAnally". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  21. "McAnally Wins Intermediate Billiards Championships". 24 May 2015. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  22. "Aonghus McAnally takes on the Blue Ball Challenge for the HSE in Ireland!". World Seniors Snooker Championship. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020 – via Facebook.
  23. "Backissues - 0476 - MagicWeek UK Magic News". MagicWeek.co.uk. 2010. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010.
  24. Burke, Brendan (29 April 2004). "Around the World in 80 Gags". Hotpress. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  25. "Thrilled RTE star Aonghus is a grandad -- twice over". Evening Herald. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  26. McAnally, Aonghus (20 February 2017) [2009]. Ray McAnally M'athair. TG4 – via YouTube.
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