Aonghas McAnally | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 June 1955 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, Actor, Musician, Magician |
| Known for | Anything Goes The Lyrics Board |
| Website | AonghusMcAnally.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]
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]
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]
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.
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]
McAnally has played billiards at an international level.[21][1] McAnally also covered snooker as an announcer and commentator.[22]
McAnally is an accomplished magician.[23] McAnally performed a number of stand-up gigs in the early 2000s.[24] He created a one-man show based on his own life in 2019.[3]
Aonghus married Billie Morton, and they have sons.[14][25] He has spoken publicly about his father's battle with alcoholism, creating the Irish language documentary Ray McAnally - M'Athair ("My Father") for TG4 in 2009.[26][4] He has had hair replacement treatments.[11]
