Joe Duffy shares his life and faith views

Joe Duffy shares his life and faith views

27 October 2021

RTE presenter and author Joe Duffy says he is unsure if there is an afterlife but if there is, he would like to do some good in Heaven.

The broadcaster was sharing his life story and his views on faith in Downpatrick last Thursday evening  as part of an autumn lecture series at the Saint Patrick Centre.

Duffy, who hosts the radio talkshow Liveline and presents the television series The Meaning of Life, spoke to veteran broadcaster Gerry Kelly.

In a wide-ranging interview in front of a 100-strong audience in the centre’s theatre, he shared his own views on faith and life. 

“My family are more anti-church than I am,” said Duffy, who stressed there are still “good people” in the church.

He revealed that he sometimes gets moments of serenity from looking at stained glass windows in basilicas or from art galleries and museums, adding: “I get serenity from reading and walking. I don’t watch much television.”

Asked if he believed in the afterlife, he said: “I don’t know but if I thought I was on my way out I would start studying for my finals.”

On a serious note, he continued: “I want to be a do-gooder. I can’t work out if we invented God or God invented us. But I would rather be a do-gooder than a do-badder. There is no greater sensation in life than being a giver.”

Turning to the audience, he said: “Be a giver. Be a giver.”

Asked what he would say if he arrived at the pearly gates, he said that he might ask if there was radio before offering to do some good in Heaven. “Maybe chastise Ian Paisley.”

Duffy recalled that he met the late DUP leader 20 years ago when he was working on a documentary on St Patrick. He said Dr Paisley had talked of his support for making St Patrick’s Day a national holiday and boasted that St Patrick once lived in his North Antrim constituency.

While Duffy has suffered personal tragedy, including the death of his younger brother, Aidan, aged 25 in a traffic accident, he said he was very blessed in his life. “I have no money worries and thank God my children are healthy.”

The married father of three grown-up triplets describes himself as a Christian socialist. He signed copies of his latest book, Children of the Troubles, co-authored with journalist Freya McClements.

He said it was important to tell the stories of children who were killed in the Troubles as they would not have direct descendants, children and grandchildren to ensure they were remembered.

“Nobody deserved to die and everyone deserves to be remembered.”

Dr Tim Campbell, director of the Saint Patrick Centre, thanked the two award-winning broadcasters for sharing their talents in the community of Downpatrick.

“We had intended to have Joe Duffy here two years ago, but the series was interrupted due to Covid,” he said.

“It has certainly been worth the wait and it was great to see people gathered again for a wonderfully informative and entertaining evening.”

Gerry Kelly said it was a “privilege” to hear about Joe Duffy’s journey, which took him from Dublin tenements to Trinity College to one of the top posts in Irish broadcasting.