Open House (Ireland)
Encyclopedia
Open House is an Irish
afternoon television show broadcast on RTÉ One
between 1998 and 2003. The last episode was broadcast in 2004. It was presented by Mary Kennedy
and Marty Whelan
and focused on lifestyle, cookery and human interest issues. Presenters included Dermot O'Neill
, the popular gardening expert. The show was broadcast five days a week (Monday to Friday), and was also transmitted to the United Kingdom
via Tara Television
.
Open House replaced PM Live, and was itself replaced by The Afternoon Show
.
It was popular with students and rapper Coolio
laughed when two of the show's researchers replaced missing dancers.
. Lord Mayor of Dublin
Royston Brady
described the decision as "bizarre". When news came that it was going to be axed, the programme's fans launched an unsuccessful campaign to save it. Among the signatories of a petition were Gay Byrne
and Nicky Byrne
from Westlife
.
Director of Programmes TV at RTÉ, Clare Duignan, said Open House had been on RTÉ for nearly as long as its predecessor, Live at 3
.
The last guest on Open House was Father Aiden Troy, before Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club
closed with a performance of "True Friends". Mary and Marty were guests of honour at the Mansion House, Dublin
.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
afternoon television show broadcast on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
between 1998 and 2003. The last episode was broadcast in 2004. It was presented by Mary Kennedy
Mary Kennedy
Mary Kennedy is an Irish writer, television personality and former newscaster. She presented Eurovision Song Contest 1995 from the Point Theatre in Dublin. She has also presented her own Saturday night chat show called Kennedy, a precursor to Saturday Night with Miriam. Kennedy was co-presenter of...
and Marty Whelan
Marty Whelan
Martin 'Marty' Whelan is a Jacob's Award-winning Irish radio and television personality currently working for Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Frequently seen and heard on RTÉ radio and television, he has presented a variety of shows...
and focused on lifestyle, cookery and human interest issues. Presenters included Dermot O'Neill
Dermot O'Neill (gardener)
Dermot O'Neill is a well known Irish gardener and editor of Garden Heaven magazine, who has appeared on many radio and television programmes for both RTÉ and the BBC Northern Ireland and has contributed regular columns for the RTÉ Guide and numerous Irish newspapers and magazines including The...
, the popular gardening expert. The show was broadcast five days a week (Monday to Friday), and was also transmitted to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
via Tara Television
Tara Television
Tara Television was an Irish cable and satellite channel aimed primarily at the Irish Diaspora living in Britain, it was set up in 1996 and began broadcasting a year later before being finally wound up in April 2002 by the High Court....
.
Open House replaced PM Live, and was itself replaced by The Afternoon Show
The Afternoon Show
The Afternoon Show was Raidió Teilifís Éireann's live flagship daytime show. It ran from 2004 until May 2010. The programme was dropped by RTÉ as part of its new season of television in 2010, to be replaced by two afternoon programmes 4 Daily presented by Maura Derrane and The Daily Show hosted by...
.
It was popular with students and rapper Coolio
Coolio
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. , better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, actor and record producer.-Late 80s:He recorded two singles in the late 80s, titled "Watcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me"...
laughed when two of the show's researchers replaced missing dancers.
Axing
In March 2004, RTÉ announced it was axing Open House despite rising ratings for the programme. It had earlier had its time slot moved to 15:30. There were complaints on LivelineLiveLine
Liveline is an Irish radio interview and phone-in chat show broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday afternoon between 13.45 and 15.00. The programme, which is currently presented by Joe Duffy and known for its slogan "Talk to Joe", seeks the public's opinion on various questions, normally one or more...
. Lord Mayor of Dublin
Lord Mayor of Dublin
The Lord Mayor of Dublin is the honorific title of the Chairman of Dublin City Council which is the local government body for the city of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The incumbent is Labour Party Councillor Andrew Montague. The office holder is elected annually by the members of the...
Royston Brady
Royston Brady
Royston Mathew Brady is an Irish businessman and former politician who served as Lord Mayor of Dublin between 2003–2004.-Background and early life:...
described the decision as "bizarre". When news came that it was going to be axed, the programme's fans launched an unsuccessful campaign to save it. Among the signatories of a petition were Gay Byrne
Gay Byrne
Gabriel Mary "Gay" Byrne is a veteran Irish presenter of radio and television. His most notable role was first host of The Late Late Show over a 37-year period spanning 1962 until 1999...
and Nicky Byrne
Nicky Byrne
Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne, Jr is a singer-songwriter, radio presenter and former footballer. From 1998 until 2012 he was the oldest member of Irish pop band, Westlife....
from Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
.
Director of Programmes TV at RTÉ, Clare Duignan, said Open House had been on RTÉ for nearly as long as its predecessor, Live at 3
Live at 3
Live at 3 was a popular Irish afternoon chat show broadcast live on RTÉ 1. Presented by Thelma Mansfield and Derek Davis, it was RTÉ's flagship daytime show from 1986 until 1997.-History:...
.
The last guest on Open House was Father Aiden Troy, before Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club
Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club
Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club is an independent alternative band from Ireland.Jerry Fish is the alter ego of musician and record producer Gerard Whelan who founded an independent record label and the band Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, an eclectic, roots collective of musicians, friends and songs...
closed with a performance of "True Friends". Mary and Marty were guests of honour at the Mansion House, Dublin
Mansion House, Dublin
The Mansion House on Dawson Street, Dublin, is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin since 1715.-Features:The Mansion House's most famous features include the "Round Room", where the First Dáil assembled on 21 January 1919 to proclaim the Irish Declaration of Independence...
.