‘It’s life-affirming, I am mad about her’ – Marty on becoming a grandfather

“The buzz is different because we are now in the final”

Marty Whelan

RTÉ broadcaster Marty Whelan has described becoming a grandfather as “life-affirming” and “life-changing”.

Whelan’s daughter Jessica gave birth to her daughter Lily Nora, who is named after both of her grandmothers.

Lily Nora arrived six weeks before her due date, and Whelan, who is currently in Malmo for the 68th Eurovision, said he missed her terribly.

“This is going to sound ridiculous. I am finding it [being a grandparent] weird because I miss her,” he said.

“I only know her… [she’s] six weeks old. She came early. She was due to be born last Saturday, she came early.

“She is a tiny little thing and beautiful like her mother.

“It is a real thrill… everyone would say to you that it will be a great moment. And I threw it away and I thought, ‘nah, don’t be ridiculous’. But it is. It is lifeaffirming and life-changing. I am mad about her.”

Whelan (67) has been providing commentary for the Eurovision Song Contest for 25 years.

Reflecting on that time, he said the most memorable year was in 1987 when Johnny Logan won with Hold Me Now.

“It was my first one and you can’t top that. It was Johnny Logan’s second win and I was with Larry Gogan and it was special and those moments… it is hard to recapture that.”

However, he said he was as “high as a kite” when Ireland’s act Bambie Thug made it through to the grand final on Tuesday with their song Doomsday Blue.

As a commentator, he said it is much more rewarding when “you have a part to play” in the grand final.

“The buzz is different because we are now in the final. But for me it is always a buzz. When you are not in it, you don’t care who wins,” he said.

When asked how Bambie Thug’s performance differs from previous entrants, such as 2008 contestant Dustin the Turkey, he replied: “We have tried to put the turkey behind us.

“Bambie is making a statement about who they are and I think that is very refreshing… think the fact that Bambie is representing us is a good thing. And says a lot about us as a nation and a broadcaster… be loud and proud.”