RTÉ
GERRY RYAN
It is with profound sadness that RTÉ has learned of the sudden death of broadcaster Gerry Ryan.
The thoughts and prayers of all RTÉ staff are with Gerry Ryan’s family and his friends.
RTÉ has been asked by Gerry Ryan’s family to say:
“Gerry Ryan died today. Morah and his children are in complete shock. Please respect their privacy at this time.”
Kevin Dawson
Head of Corporate Communications, RTÉ
RTÉ
GERRY RYAN
Tom Savage, Chairperson, RTÉ
“When someone comes to write the history of RTE and of broadcasting at the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries, they will have to devote a special analytical section to the phenomenon that was Gerry Ryan because he was – in fact – a phenomenon and an icon in the evolution of Irish broadcasting.”
Cathal Goan, Director General RTÉ:
“This is a moment of inexpressible grief. We have lost a broadcasting colleague whose presence, voice and work defined a broadcasting genre in Ireland and defined a generation. Those who had the privilege of working with him will have a sense of bewilderment at the suddenness of his leaving us, and an abiding affection for a broadcaster who was a one-off.”
Clare Duignan, Managing Director, RTÉ Radio:
“It is with immense shock that I learned earlier of the death of Gerry Ryan. Gerry was not only one of Ireland’s finest broadcasters, he was a beloved friend and colleague to so many in RTÉ Radio and Television. Our thoughts at this time are with Gerry’s family, his children and his friends. Gerry was at the heart of RTÉ for over 20 years – he was a highly entertaining larger-than-life broadcaster and colleague. He is truly, truly irreplaceable.”
Gerry Ryan
Gerry Ryan was born in Dublin. He studied law at University College Dublin and went to work as an apprentice solicitor. During his time at college he worked in pirate and community radio and decided law was not for him.
Having started his broadcasting career as a rock and pop music DJ on pirate radio in Dublin, he graduated to RTÉ Radio 2 where he shared a late night slot with Dave Fanning and Mark Cagney. His talent for talk radio led to his appointment to RTÉ 2fm’s mid morning programme where he has established himself as a household name and Ireland’s premier ‘shock jock’ for nearly 20 years.
Gerry was one of Ireland’s top broadcasters on primetime television and radio. Gerry hosted Ireland’s leading daytime radio show, The Gerry Ryan Show, on RTÉ 2fm which attracted over 305,000 listeners and was part of everyday life for many Irish people.
On television, Gerry appeared as host of numerous light-entertainment shows on RTÉ and has just recently started a new series of Ryan Confidential, his own unique late-night chat show where he spoke one-on-one with some of the world’s most famous people from the areas of sport, politics and entertainment. Gerry also presented one of RTÉ’s very successful shows, Operation Transformation.
Morah Ryan and family have requested that their their privacy be respected at this time.
Corporate Communications
RTÉ