Timmy pictured interviewing Keith Barry for WLRfm
Timmy Ryan was born in Dungarvan, the son of the late Tom and Nancy Ryan. He has three sisters, Ann, Theresa and Marianne and from an early age had an ambition to work on radio. He was educated at Dungarvan CBS and began his broadcasting life on Dungarvan Community Radio when he was just 16 years old.
Although he didn’t realise it at the time, this tentative move into broadcasting would in time turn out to be his full-time career.
“I suppose like many people my age I got my love of radio from listening to Radio Luxembourg and Radio Caroline and presenters such as Tony Prince and Tony Blackburn made an impression on me and I thought to myself that would be a nice way to make a living,” he told me last week.
“Apart from that I always loved music so I suppose I knew from early on what I wanted to do.”
Timmy continued: “I did a small stint with WLR during the early 80s and then I joined Suirside Radio in 1982 and that was to become my first full-time job on radio. In 1985 I signed up with ABC Radio and enjoyed two wonderful years with them. I had the privilege of working with people like the late Eddie Coady and Steve Silby who to this day is still very much involved in broadcasting in Britain.”
In October 1987, Timmy was asked to return to WLR and after accepting the offer he began presenting his first ever Breakfast Show, which was a sign of things to come.
“We were going great but the government of the time decided to close down all of the big pirate stations and asked them to lodge bids to get an official licence and thankfully, in September 1989, WLRfm were successful with their bid and I was back on air for the first time as a legitimate presenter.”
He added: “Looking back now that was a great day for the people who had started the station and for the people who were with WLR because we had been out of work for a year. I presented the lunchtime at first but 12 months later I was asked to present the Breakfast Show with Carrie Crowley who was just starting out on her broadcasting career. She was superb and of course she went on to become a star on RTE Radio and TV and also co-presented the Eurovision Song Contest.
“When Carrie decided to move to Dublin I went back to presenting an afternoon programme for a year but then in 1994 I received an offer to work with Dublin’s FM 104 and after a hell of a lot of soul searching I made the move to the capital and I worked with Darragh Moloney – and Darragh now anchors RTE’s international soccer coverage and commentates on major GAA matches of course.
“But to be brutally honest I never settled in Dublin and I couldn’t wait to get back to Waterford, so when I came back I was out of work, but thankfully WLRfm asked me to return to the Breakfast Show in April 1996.”
Upon his return, Timmy was asked about forming a double act with one Nicola Beresford. “She was a real life saver for me both on and off air,” Timmy admitted.
“I knew she was a brilliant presenter and her talent really blossomed when she came on board. Our on-air partnership lasted a staggering eight years but I suppose working from 6am every morning eventually took its toll and she decided to move on to other things including starting up her own production company. We had a lot in common and we’ve been together for many years and we’re very happy.”
Following Nicola’s move, Timmy returned to the afternoon slot for three years but in 2007 he was asked to return to the Breakfast Show and this time he formed a highly successful partnership with Aoibhinn Fallon. Working with Aoibhinn was great and we remained together until 2011.”
Aoibhinn was then offered a late night show which she accepted, so in May 2011, Timmy linked up with another co-presenter in the form of Ballinakill native Karen Tompkins (nee Doyle), who had been working in the WLRfm newsroom since 2008.
From the off, Timmy and Karen hit it off and the show commanded a huge listenership during their time together but in June, Karen, married to Ireland’s Own Editor Shea Tompkins, who have two young sons, Harry and Jack, opted for a change in career direction.
Following Karen’s departure, Teresanne O’Reilly was recruited from Today FM so Timmy had yet another new co-presenter to work with.
However, Timmy has opted for a new direction himself and on Friday last he presented his last Breakfast Show although he will still present his top rated ‘Classic Hits’ Sunday show between 10am and 12 noon.
“I really love presenting ‘Classic Hits’ because I have complete carte blanche over what is played which is a massive bonus. There are no restrictions and I get the opportunity to play all of the great singers and groups and I am really looking forward to the coming months with that show.”
In recent years, Timmy and Nicola took on a new, exciting business venture. “We’re deeply involved with Muldoon, the Irish Whiskey Liqueur and thankfully it is getting great reviews nationwide.
“We’re also about to launch a new gin into the marketplace in October so it’s an exciting period on that front.”
Referring to his other half, Timmy added: “We have been together now for 18 years and things are good. There’s a long road ahead and I suppose it’s a case of ‘destination unknown’ at this stage but you have to take every day as it comes and live very much in the now. There is no point in looking back or looking too far down the road because you would drive yourself crazy.
“I’ve no idea who said it but I love the quote that says ‘Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well persevered body but rather skid in sideways with chocolate in one hand and a drink in the other.’
“Someone said to me the other day that I am now like a guy who has bought a new pair of shoes and I’ll now have to break them in,” stated Timmy with a broad smile.
“Like everything else this came along, a bit like a bus, and I jumped on board because it felt right. I have no real idea where it will end but so far it has been tremendous fun. I have enjoyed every second of my time on radio and I would not change a thing. I have made incredible friends with people who work in the station and with loyal listeners who have remained loyal to WLRfm.
“Who knows what will happen from here on in with my career on radio. As I’ve said I’m really looking forward to the Sunday show. I’ve been presenting it now for 11 years and I still get excited preparing the two hours and then presenting it.
“Between Muldoon Whiskey, the gin product and keeping tabs on Nicola, that’ll keep me busy for a while to come.
“Today is all we have so you’ve got to smile big and make the most of what you have got. None of it really matters anyway when you consider that 80, 90 or even 100 years is really just a blip.”
