Aonghus McAnally

Aonghas McAnally
Born (1955-06-20) 20 June 1955 (age 69)
NationalityIrish
Occupation(s)Broadcaster, Actor, Musician, Magician
Known forAnything Goes
The Lyrics Board
WebsiteAonghusMcAnally.com

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]

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][23]

Other activities

McAnally is an accomplished magician.[24] McAnally performed a number of stand-up gigs in the early 2000s.[25] 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][26] He has spoken publicly about his father's battle with alcoholism,[27] creating the Irish language documentary Ray McAnally - M'Athair ("My Father") for TG4 in 2009.[28][4] He has had hair replacement treatments.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b c d e f "My cultural life: Aonghus McAnally". independent. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Broadcaster Aonghus McAnally reveals he recently got a hair transplant: 'My hair always defined me'". independent. 20 June 2015. 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. ^ a b "The family business: the next generation of the McAnally acting dynasty". independent. 17 September 2017. 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. ^ a b 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. ^ "Snooker star Murphy enthrals the locals at New Institute". Nenagh Guardian. 1 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Backissues - 0476 - MagicWeek UK Magic News". MagicWeek.co.uk. 2010. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010.
  25. ^ Burke, Brendan (29 April 2004). "Around the World in 80 Gags". Hotpress. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Thrilled RTE star Aonghus is a grandad -- twice over". Evening Herald. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  27. ^ "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. 24 September 2023.
  28. ^ McAnally, Aonghus (20 February 2017) [2009]. Ray McAnally M'athair. TG4 – via YouTube.