Valentine J. Joyce (14 February 1931 – 8 October 2022) was an Irish radio broadcaster who was active on Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE).
Val Joyce | |
|---|---|
| Born | Valentine J. Joyce 14 February 1931[1] |
| Died | 8 October 2022 (aged 91) Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland |
| Resting place | Kilternan Cemetery Park |
| Education | St Mary's College University College Dublin |
| Occupation | Broadcaster |
| Years active | 1956-2006 |
| Employer | Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) |
| Notable work |
|
| Spouse | Vera Morgan |
| Children | 5 |
Early life edit
Joyce was born on 14 February 1931. He was educated at St Mary's College in Rathmines, before completing a BComm at University College Dublin. His first job was as a clerk with a shipping company.[2]
Career edit
Joyce worked with the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake as an accountant before his radio career began in the 1950s when a number of sponsored programmes were broadcast on Radio Éireann. One of those sponsored slots was taken by the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake and Joyce was chosen as presenter. When Telefís Éireann began he voiced a number of television commercials. He also presented Sound of the Light, the broadcasts of the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra, and started the programme Pop Call in the 1960s, the first ever phone-in pop request programme.[3]
Joyce was best-known for Airs and Races, which ran on Saturday afternoons between 1974 and 1991 and featured songs as well as sporting events, including horseracing. He also presented Ireland's Choice with Val Joyce and then, for over 15 years, Late Date until the programme was axed in 2006.[4][5]
Personal life and death edit
Joyce met dancer and singer Vera Morgan at a party following the opening night of Telefís Éireann in 1961. They became engaged after attending the second ever recording of The Late Late Show in July 1962 and were married soon after.[6] The couple had five children. Vera Joyce predeceased her husband in October 2016.[7]
Joyce died at Ferndene nursing home in Blackrock on 8 October 2022, at the age of 91.[8]
References edit
- ^ "Valentine J. Joyce in 1931". Find My Past. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "I have this hobby and it's my job". Evening Herald. 14 October 1980. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Val Joyce signs off on RTÉ Radio 1's Late Date". RTÉ Press Centre website. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Val Joyce to present final Late Date tonight". RTÉ Entertainment website. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ "For the record". Irish Times. 23 September 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Val's world of Airs and Races". Sunday Independent. 30 January 1977. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "The death has occurred of Vera JOYCE (née Morgan)". rip.ie. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Death of former RTÉ broadcaster Val Joyce described as the end of an era". Irish Times. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.