Aonghus McAnally explained

Aonghas McAnally
Birth Date:20 June 1955
Nationality:Irish
Known For:Anything Goes
The Lyrics Board
Occupation:Broadcaster, Actor, Musician, Magician
Website:AonghusMcAnally.com

Aonghus McAnally (born 20 June 1955) is an Irish radio and television producer and presenter, as well as an actor, musician, magician and billiards champion. He worked on both sides of the mic and camera for public service broadcaster Irish: [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]|italic=no for over 40 years, retiring in June 2020.[1]

Early life

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

Music

McAnally has been a guitarist[2] in a number of bands including Mushroom,[3] [4] [5] Maxband, Starband, and Crackers/The Crack[6] As a solo artist he released a novelty record I am Alergic to Christmas (written by fellow broadcaster Shay Healy) in 1981.

A friend of singer-songwriter Christie Hennessy, he delivered his eulogy at his funeral. He created a touring show as tribute to Hennessy.[7]

Television

McAnally's first presenting work was on young people's programming, including Anything Goes young adult affairs show Borderline,[8] and magazine show Evening Extra.[9]

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.

As a screen actor he had appearances on Wanderly Wagon in 1979 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.[10] He was a regular presenter of RTÉ Radio 1's Late Date.[11] [12] As a radio producer,[13] he worked on Spectrum with former South African Ambassador, Melanie Verwoerd,[14] [15] and was the series producer on the daily phone-in show Liveline until his retirement in 2020.[16] [17]

Cue sports

McAnally has played billiards at an international level.[18] McAnally also covered snooker as an announcer and commentator.[19] [20]

Other activities

McAnally is an accomplished magician.[21] McAnally performed a number of stand-up gigs in the early 2000s.[22] He created a one-man show based on his own life in 2019.

Personal life

Aonghus married Billie Morton, and they have sons.[23] [24] He has spoken publicly about his father's battle with alcoholism,[25] creating the Irish language documentary Ray McAnally - M'Athair ("My Father") for TG4 in 2009.[26] He has had hair replacement treatments.[27]

Notes and References

  1. News: Corr . Alan . 19 June 2020 . Aonghus McAnally retires after 41 years working in RTÉ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723154101/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0619/1148520-aonghus-mcanally-retires-after-41-years/ . 23 July 2020 . 29 July 2020 . RTÉ TEN.
  2. Web site: Hannigan . Mary . TV View: Merson conjures the Twilight Zone to help Sky Sports News fill schedule . Irish Times.
  3. News: 8 January 2020 . Renowned fiddle player Pat Collins has died . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200913061808/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0108/1105026-renowned-fiddle-player-pat-collins-has-died/ . 13 September 2020 . 23 July 2020 . RTÉ TEN.
  4. Web site: 8 January 2020 . Tributes pour in following the death of Irish violinist Patrick Collins . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723042257/https://www.hotpress.com/music/tributes-pour-following-death-irish-violinist-patrick-collins-22799828 . 23 July 2020 . 28 July 2020 . Hot Press.
  5. Web site: 21 January 2019 . My cultural life: Aonghus McAnally . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723012456/https://www.independent.ie/life/my-cultural-life-aonghus-mcanally-37726201.html . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . independent.
  6. Web site: Irish Rock Discography: Aonghus McAnally . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200221194116/http://irishrock.org/irodb/bands/mcanally-aonghus.html . 21 February 2020 . 23 July 2020 . www.irishrock.org.
  7. News: Clayton-Lea . Tony . Me & My Money: Aonghus McAnally, performer and RTÉ presenter . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111172540/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/personal-finance/me-my-money-aonghus-mcanally-performer-and-rt%C3%A9-presenter-1.2933696 . 11 November 2020 . 23 July 2020 . The Irish Times.
  8. Book: Mordaunt, John . Facing Up to AIDS . . 1989 . 978-0-86278-191-0 . Dublin . 107.
  9. Web site: Fungi The Dolphin . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723012455/https://www.rte.ie/archives/2013/0502/389959-30-years-with-fungi-the-dolphin/ . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . RTÉ Archives.
  10. Book: O'Brien, Matthew J. . Irishness in Great Britain and the United States: Transatlantic and Cross-channel Migration Networks and Irish Ethnicity, 1920-90 . . 2001 . Madison, Wisconsin . 446, 447 . 25 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200812210452/https://books.google.com/books?id=78jQAAAAMAAJ . 12 August 2020 . live.
  11. Web site: Feighan . Irene . 22 September 2017 . Shape I'm In: Aonghus McAnally on his Christy Hennessy tribute tour . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200724021856/https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-20459423.html . 24 July 2020 . 29 July 2020 . IrishExaminer.com.
  12. Web site: Nolan . Larissa . 8 October 2017 . Aonghus McAnally: I will not let my finances go to pot . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723034306/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/aonghus-mcanally-i-will-not-let-my-finances-go-to-pot-x6ncvs5rp . 23 July 2020 . 29 July 2020 . TheTimes.co.uk.
  13. Book: LucyB Lightner . Susan Boyle, Professional Singer: The Sixth Six Months . 1 September 2012 . . 978-1-300-11881-7 . 93, 94, 299, 488 . 25 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200729014142/https://books.google.com/books?id=JCfsAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA94 . 29 July 2020 . live.
  14. Book: Verwoerd, Melanie . Melanie Verwoerd . When We Dance: A Memoir . 10 October 2012 . . 978-1-907593-73-4 . Dublin . 168 . 25 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204235155/https://books.google.com/books?id=mq58AwAAQBAJ&pg=PT168 . 4 December 2021 . live.
  15. RTÉ Radio 1 To Broadcast A Polish Spectrum Special . . . 29 July 2020 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081210074420/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/pressreleases/1131842.html . 10 December 2008 . 2007.
  16. News: Ryan . Jennifer . 'Secret RTÉ Producer tweeter needs a good slap,' says Aonghus McAnally . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020758/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/secret-rt%C3%A9-producer-tweeter-needs-a-good-slap-says-aonghus-mcanally-1.3238181 . 12 November 2020 . 23 July 2020 . The Irish Times.
  17. Book: Dooley, Aidan . Travels with Tom Crean . 1 September 2016 . . 978-1-84889-594-2 . Dublin . 166–168 . 25 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200812041052/https://books.google.com/books?id=SQiWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT166 . 12 August 2020 . live.
  18. Web site: 24 May 2015 . McAnally Wins Intermediate Billiards Championships . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723033329/https://www.ribsa.ie/?p=2210 . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020.
  19. Web site: Aonghus McAnally takes on the Blue Ball Challenge for the HSE in Ireland! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200726201741/https://www.facebook.com/WorldSeniorsSnooker/videos/aonghus-mcanally-takes-on-the-blue-ball-challenge-for-the-hse-in-ireland/2581453738802564/ . 26 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . . Facebook.
  20. Web site: 1 December 2023 . Snooker star Murphy enthrals the locals at New Institute . Nenagh Guardian.
  21. Web site: 2010 . Backissues - 0476 - MagicWeek UK Magic News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100420024145/http://www.magicweek.co.uk/backissues_0450-0499/0476.htm . 20 April 2010 . MagicWeek.co.uk.
  22. Web site: Burke . Brendan . 29 April 2004 . Around the World in 80 Gags . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723001202/https://www.hotpress.com/culture/around-the-world-in-80-gags-2725004 . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . Hotpress.
  23. Web site: 17 September 2017 . The family business: the next generation of the McAnally acting dynasty . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200724042906/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/theatre-arts/the-family-business-the-next-generation-of-the-mcanally-acting-dynasty-36128128.html . 24 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . independent.
  24. Web site: Thrilled RTE star Aonghus is a grandad -- twice over . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723012527/https://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/thrilled-rte-star-aonghus-is-a-grandad-twice-over-27963182.html . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . Evening Herald.
  25. Web site: 24 September 2023 . Aonghus McAnally: 'I grew up in a house that was full of AA. I saw every facet of alcoholism – the good and the bad' . Independent.ie.
  26. Ray McAnally M'athair . 20 February 2017 . McAnally . Aonghus . Aonghus McAnally . . . 2009.
  27. Web site: 20 June 2015 . Broadcaster Aonghus McAnally reveals he recently got a hair transplant: 'My hair always defined me' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200723034305/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/radio/broadcaster-aonghus-mcanally-reveals-he-recently-got-a-hair-transplant-my-hair-always-defined-me-31316826.html . 23 July 2020 . 23 July 2020 . independent.

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