Tubridy turns over a new leaf with podcast
Broadcaster reveals new ‘passion project’ is on books
BROADCASTER Ryan Tubridy has said his new weekly podcast about books is a ‘passion project’.
The former RTÉ presenter, who is taking days off from his Virgin Radio UK show, said last week that there was ‘big news’ coming.
He told listeners to his show yesterday: ‘You’ve guessed it, I’ve got a podcast. And you’ve guessed it, it’s about books. It’s called The Bookshelf With Ryan Tubridy – it had to, it’s obvious.’
The podcast, which is in partnership with Eason bookstores, publishes its first episode on podcast apps on Tuesday.
In addition, the 50-year-old presenter is a weekly columnist with our sister newspaper, the Irish Mail on Sunday.
Last week, he told his Virgin Radio listeners that he was ‘taking a few days off’ but said that there was ‘big news’ coming.
Tubridy explained the concept for the podcast in an Instagram post: ‘The guest comes along with three books from their very own bookshelf: The book from their childhood, the book that made them cry and the book that changed their life. And over the course of a conversation, we have a chat about the people and their lives through the prism of these three beautiful, important books.’
A video podcast of The Bookshelf With Ryan Tubridy will also be available on YouTube.
Tubridy also said: ‘This has been a passion project of mine for a couple of years now but I could never quite find enough time to put it all together. Harold Macmillan used to talk about “events, dear boy, events”. Those times in life when the least expected things happen. Such events happened to me last summer. ‘Despite it being an exceptionally difficult time, it made me reassess and explore new opportunities to realise some dreams I’ve long held in my heart. One was to work on the radio in the UK, which I am currently doing and loving. The other was to bring The Bookshelf With Ryan Tubridy to fruition, which is where we are today. I always say, you’ll never be lonely or bored with a book in your hand. They bring company, enlightenment and enrichment whether you’re reading a comic, a cereal box or a crime novel. The world of reading is rarely dull and lends itself to the most intriguing conversations, of which I’ve had many putting season one together. The first of these conversations drops on Tuesday. I can’t wait to share it with you.’
Eason group head of marketing Brendan Corbett said: ‘Eason has a long-standing reputation for promoting great books, so partnering with this show and Ryan, who has been such a champion of reading and an advocate for the Irish book industry, is a great match for us.
‘We’re really looking forward to hearing all the guests in conversation over the coming weeks.’
‘A dream I’ve long held in my heart’