Inside RTE star Marty Whelan's career and private life with his wife ...
Ireland's Eurovision commentator has plenty of things to be celebrating
RTE star Marty Whelan is celebrating 25 years at the helm of Ireland's Eurovision commentary.
The 67-year-old's Eurovision journey began back in 1987 when he hosted Eurosong in Dublin, the same year Johnny Logan won Eurovision for a second time with his song Hold me now.
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The legendary RTE broadcaster and commentator remains largely tight lipped about his private and family life despite fronting some of the most popular show's on our airways.
Here's everything you need to know about Marty's home life.
MARTY'S MARRIAGEMarty and his wife Maria will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary together in August 2025.
The couple initially dated for ten years after meeting one another at the Grove disco in Clontarf.
Maria had been and Air-Hostess for Aer lingus before giving up her job when the pair wed in 1985.
The couple share two children together Jessica and Thomas.
Marty recently gushed over his wife as he told RSVP Magazine: “What I love about Maria is that she is very genuine, warm and caring.
“She’s one hell of a friend, she used to be an air hostess at Aer Lingus and is still great friends with all of her co-workers. She has friends everywhere and I think that is a great mark of the sort of person she is.”
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Whelan was born in Killister in 1956 to parents John and Lilly. Marty's mum suddenly passed away after she suffered a stroke in October 2013 when she was 94.
He revealed how while clearing his mother’s home following her death in 2013, he found a letter she had written on his behalf to the head honchos in Montrose.
The Winning Streak star found it difficult to break back into RTE after he left in the 1980s for a job with the ill-fated Century radio station.
He said: “I found a letter my mother wrote to RTE that began, ‘My son needs to be reinstated’ and it was about six pages long. But it was never sent.
“She had a steely resolve, and that was no bad thing, and she passed it on a bit to me. When I read that letter I laughed."
He added: “But I also found it very touching because it was her minding her baby. That was all that was.”
MARTY'S CAREERMarty worked in an insurance agency for five years before making his way into radio and broadcast TV.
He first graced the ears of our nation in 1979 working with the national broadcaster RTE to host a series of shows on 2FM.
80s Eurovision icon Johnny Logan has ‘aged like a fine wine’ since competition win 44 years ago
In 1989 Marty left 2FM to join rival station Century Radio in 1989 for a short stint as the station subsequently failed by 1991.
However he returned to the broadcaster by the mid 90's and has remained since, experiencing many career highs with RTE since his return in the mid 90's.
Including presenting the Rose of Tralee from 1997 to 2003 only to be replaced by ex-RTE employee Ryan Tubridy.
Marty has become synonymous in Ireland for his coverage of the Eurovision.
Taking on the role of commentating through all three stages of Eurovision with the national broadcaster since 2000.
In his time he has seen plenty of Irish acts come through Eurovisison, but this years act Bambie Thug has been defying all odds.
EURO-JOYSpeaking to the media in Malmo, Marty showed support for Bambie Thug.
The 67-year-old said: "Bambie is making a statement about who they are, and I think that's very refreshing...the fact that Bambie is representing us is a very good thing."
However being the countries voice this year at Eurovision isn't Marty's top priority this weekend as a new joy has taken the top spot in his life.
Marty's daughter Jessica gave birth to her daughter Lily Nora, who is named after both of her grandmothers.
When asked about his new arrival in Malmo the lyric FM presenter had this to say: “This is going to sound ridiculous. I am finding it weird because I miss her,” he said.
“I only know her…six weeks. She came early. She was due to be born last Saturday, she came early. She is a tiny little thing and beautiful like her mother."
“It is a real thrill… everyone would say to you that it will be a great moment. And I threw it away and I thought, ‘nah, don’t be ridiculous’. But it is. It is life-affirming and life-changing. I am mad about her.”
