The Meaning of Life

Synopsis

The Meaning of Life is an Irish television programme, the first series of which was broadcast on RTÉ One in 2009. It is presented by the veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne. Each episode involves Byrne interviewing a well-known public figure. The series is broadcast each Sunday night at 22:20. In 2010 The Meaning of Life returned for both a second and, later, a third series. Interviews with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and actors Gabriel Byrne and Brenda Fricker during the second series attracted media attention when they spoke of their religious habits and child sexual abuse respectively. Gay Byrne appeared on The Late Late Show on 18 December 2009 to discuss the programme. A fourth series soon followed. Then a fifth series from January 2012. And a sixth in October 2012. And a seventh in January 2013.

First Air Date: 2009-04-19

Last Air Date: 2016-11-20

Number of Seasons: 13

Number of Episodes: 77

Networks: RTÉ One

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Sinéad O'Connor as Self
Colin Farrell as Self
Gerry Adams as Self
Maeve Binchy as Self
Ronan Keating as Self
Neil Jordan as Self
Gabriel Byrne as Self
Tommy Tiernan as Self
Brenda Fricker as Self
Bertie Ahern as Self

Seasons

Season 1 (2009) - (6 Episodes)

Season 2 (2010) - (6 Episodes)

Season 3 (2010) - (6 Episodes)

Season 4 (2011) - (6 Episodes)

Season 5 (2012) - (6 Episodes)

Season 6 (2012) - (5 Episodes)

Season 7 (2013) - (7 Episodes)

Season 8 (2013) - (5 Episodes)

Season 9 (2014) - (6 Episodes)

Season 10 (2015) - (6 Episodes)

Season 11 (2015) - (6 Episodes)

Season 12 (2016) - (6 Episodes)

Season 13 (2016) - (6 Episodes)

Season 1 (2009)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Colin Farrell (2009-04-19)

Gay talks to action film hero Colin Farrell about what has shaped his beliefs about faith, spirituality and the bigger questions about life.
Ep. 2: Gerry Adams (2009-04-26)

In a remarkably revealing interview, Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President talks to Gay Byrne about issues of personal faith and morality and how they have impacted on his role within the Republican movement.
Ep. 3: Maeve Binchy (2009-05-03)

Gay Byrne talks to Maeve Binchy about the big questions of life and death and gets some unexpected answers.
Ep. 4: Ronan Keating (2009-05-10)

Singer-songwriter and charity campaigner Ronan Keating talks with Gay Byrne about the events which have shaped his life and beliefs.
Ep. 5: Sinéad O'Connor (2009-05-17)

Singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor talks about the impact that her religious upbringing had on her life and the evolution of her spiritual beliefs.
Ep. 6: Neil Jordan (2009-05-24)

Oscar-winning writer and director, Neil Jordan, tells Gay Byrne that he doesn’t see himself as religious… and yet he believes he’s seen proof that there’s an after-life.