Ray Foley | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Education | Journalism degree |
| Alma mater | Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) |
| Occupation | Disc jockey |
| Employer | 98FM (2012–15)[1] |
| Known for | The Ray Foley Show The Blast The Essential Rock Anthems with Ray & JP |
| Spouse | Kate Carolan |
| Website | rayfoleyshow |
Raymond Foley is an Irish television host and radio presenter.Having worked atDublin's 98FM andSPIN 1038 early in his career, Foley moved to Today FM in 2004. In 2006, he moved to midday and presentedThe Ray Foley Show, with sidekick JP Gilbourne and Adelle McDonnell. He hosted the breakfast slot on 98FM from October 2012 until December 2015. He also hosts TV dating showTake Me Out onTV3. On Friday 12 October 2012, Foley and JP announced on the show that both of them would be transferring to Today FM's sister station 98FM to present the breakfast show. They both have expressed how difficult the decision was for them, due to their fondness of their workmates and friends in Today FM.[2]In 2022, Foley returned to Today FM with an afternoon show.
Following an entry in theDJ For a Day competition on2FM (onTony Fenton'sHotline show) in 1997, Foley got a taste for broadcasting. This led to him beginning his studies as a journalist inDublin Institute of Technology, from which he graduated in October 2004[3] While there he started working atEast Coast FM, and thence moved to 98FM and as a newsreader onLite FM, before moving toSPIN 1038, "to get re-acquainted with presenting again".[4] While there, he presentedThe Zoo Crew with Clionadh O'Leary on week nights.[5]
In 2004 Foley moved to Today FM and began presenting late night show,The Blast with his college friend, JP Gilbourne, fromDundalk.[citation needed] Foley and JP regularly filled-in forRay D'Arcy,Tony Fenton andTom Dunne during this time. When the radio schedule was changed in 2006, Foley moved to a midday slot, which was vacated by Tony Fenton. Foley was disciplined by Irish authorities when he broadcast theLily Allen song "Fuck You Very Much" on lunchtime radio in 2008.[6]
| Genre | Chat / music |
|---|---|
| Running time | 14:00 - 16:30 |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Home station | Today FM |
| Recording studio | Marconi House, Digges Lane, Dublin 2 |
| Original release | 2022 |
| Audio format | FM andDigital radio |
| Website | Official site |
| Podcast | Ray Foley Show Podcast |
For 6 years Foley broadcast during the afternoon on Today FM, directly afterThe Ray D'Arcy Show. Thetagline for the show was "Just a bit of fun for your lunchtime, nothing too serious". The show consisted of taking calls from listeners on random topics, chart music and some regular spots, along with the National Lunchtime News. Sometimes contributors includedAnn Gleeson, Alan Metcalfe (Funky Phone Boy Al) and reviewer Eoghan Doherty (Nordy Eoghan).[citation needed]
Following a nearly decade long hiatus from the station, Foley and Gilbourne returned to Today FM to presentRay Foley on weekday afternoon from the 14th of February 2022.
In 2009, Foley and JP presentedThe Essential Rock Anthems in "The Essential..." slot on Sunday nights. They presented two further shows, which then became a regular almost monthly feature of the slot.[citation needed] In November 2009,Ray Foley and JP's Essential Rock Anthems CD was launched, a two-CD collection, including tracks from artists such asMeat Loaf,Therapy?,Pixies,Thin Lizzy,Whitesnake,Motörhead,Placebo,Blondie,Radiohead,The Knack,Status Quo,The Jam andJourney.[citation needed]
On 12 October 2012, it was announced that Ray and JP were leavingToday FM to host the breakfast show on 98FM.[citation needed]
On 22 December 2015 theIrish Independent reported that his 98FM show would finish up on 24 December.[7] He has since been replaced by Steven Cooper and Luke O'Faolain.[8]
Foley moved into television presentation.[9][10] He became the IrishPaddy McGuinness by presentingTake Me Out.Seán Munsanje fromXposé took him shopping to style him for the job.[11] He was also mentioned in relation toThe Apprentice: You're Fired!.[12]
From 2015 to 2022, Foley presented the Friday edition ofThe 6 O'Clock Show on the renamedVirgin Media One.[13]He has since occasionally presentedIreland AM.
Foley won aMeteor Music Award forBest National DJ in2008,2009 and again in2010.[14] Foley celebrated winning the 2008 award by singing a version ofJourney's "Don't Stop Believin'", and in 2009 with the theme tune to TV'sHome and Away[15] as part of his acceptance speech. In 2008 he launched a successful daily campaign to dethrone namesakeRay D'Arcy.[16]
Foley achieved the PPI Radio Award's Music Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010.[17][18] Also in 2009 Foley and JP won the award forBest Specialist Music Programme for their Sunday evening show,The Essential Rock Anthems with Ray & JP.[17]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Ray Foley | Best Irish DJ at the Meteor Awards | Won |
| 2009 | Ray Foley | Best Irish DJ at the Meteor Awards | Won |
| 2009 | Ray Foley | Music Broadcaster of the Year Award at the PPI Irish Radio Awards | Won |
| 2009 | Ray Foley and JP | Best Specialist Music Programme at the PPI Irish Radio Awards | Won |
| 2010 | Ray Foley | Best Irish DJ at the Meteor Awards | Won |
| 2011 | Ray Foley | Music Broadcaster of the Year at the PPI Irish Radio Awards | Nominated |
| 2012 | Ray Foley | Music Broadcaster of the Year at the PPI Irish Radio Awards | Nominated |
| 2012 | Ray Foley | General Music Programme at the PPI Irish Radio Awards | Nominated |
| 2013 | Ray Foley | Music Broadcaster of the Year at the PPI Irish Radio Awards | Nominated |
Foley marriedRTÉ 2fmnewsreader Kate Carolan in 2007. They met while working atSPIN 1038.[4] He proposed to Carolan on O'Connell Street in Dublin City Centre and they spent their honeymoon attending the Oxegen Music Festival. On Monday 2 April 2012, Foley announced on-air that Kate had given birth to their first child on 1 April 2012. Foley announced the birth of their second child in June 2014.[19]