# Ian Dempsey

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Irish television and radio broadcaster

Ian Dempsey Born Ian D. Dempsey (1961-01-16) 16 January 1961 (age 65) Dublin, Ireland Occupation Broadcaster Employer(s) RTÉ (1980–1998) Today FM (1998–present) Known for Children's television, breakfast radio show, Website Official website

**Ian Dempsey** (born 16 January 1961) is an Irish presenter of television and breakfast radio. He is the long-running presenter of the breakfast show on [Today FM](/source/Today_FM), self-titled *[The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show](/source/The_Ian_Dempsey_Breakfast_Show)*, which runs from 6-9 am each weekday. He has won several major awards for his programmes[1] and was the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland)'s tenth most-listened-to broadcaster in 2007.[2]

Dempsey co-hosted the opening ceremony of the [2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games](/source/2011_Special_Olympics_World_Summer_Games) Irish heats at [Thomond Park](/source/Thomond_Park) with [Des Cahill](/source/Des_Cahill).[3]

## Early life

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Dempsey began his first experiments in radio in 1967 when at the age of six he made his first radio show in a friend's house. In 1978 he joined Dublin pirate station [Capital Radio (Dublin)](/source/Capital_Radio_(Dublin)), and later worked for Alternative Radio Dublin and Radio 257.[4]

## Career

### RTÉ

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On 29 February 1980, he joined the national broadcaster, [Raidió Teilifís Éireann](/source/Raidi%C3%B3_Teilif%C3%ADs_%C3%89ireann) (RTÉ), to present *The Weekend Breakfast Show* on [RTÉ 2fm](/source/RT%C3%89_2fm), and later, shows such as *Poparama*, *The Hotline*, *Night Train* and *The Great Giveaway Show*.[5] Dempsey later hosted the lunchtime show before moving to the breakfast slot in the mid-1980s. He picked up where [Marty Whelan](/source/Marty_Whelan) had left off, engaging the audience with his natural personality, a world apart from the 'jocks' that stalked the Radio Centre in Montrose at the time. Apart from a brief time off breakfast following 2fm's 1989 relaunch, he has remained on early mornings since. [Maxi](/source/Maxi_(singer)) was placed on the breakfast show at that time, but, after a few weeks, it was apparent to all that her style was not suited to the format; Dempsey was promptly reinstated.

1986 saw Dempsey's first major exposure to television, with the children's show *[Dempsey's Den](/source/The_Den_(Ireland))*, which also gave the alien twin puppets [Zig and Zag](/source/Zig_and_Zag_(puppets)) their first break to the small screen. Noted for his choice of brightly coloured jumpers, Dempsey presented *[The Den](/source/The_Den_(Ireland))* until the summer of 1990 and later reflected on his time at the helm in a 2008 RTÉ documentary.[6] He also worked on various [TV shows](/source/TV_shows) including the pop music quiz show *Number 1* and three seasons of *[The Beatbox](/source/The_Beatbox)*, a two-hour [music video](/source/Music_video) show [simulcast](/source/Simulcast) on [Network 2](/source/RT%C3%89_Two) and [RTÉ 2fm](/source/RT%C3%89_2fm). He was also the first host of the Irish version of *[Talkabout](/source/Talk_About_(game_show))*.[7]

Dempsey weathered the storm of the advent of independent radio in Ireland on RTÉ 2fm breakfast. His style was informal and relaxed. His rapport with [Des Cahill](/source/Des_Cahill) was particularly strong. John Clarke, later head of RTÉ 2fm, produced the show and occasionally deputized.

### Today FM

Dempsey shocked the Irish radio world in 1998 by announcing a move to the newly relaunched [Today FM](/source/Today_FM). He had been tempted by a sizable salary package to join the station that 12 months beforehand had languished with a minimal JNLR result. He left RTÉ for Today FM in July 1998 and since 21 September 1998 (when his breakfast show was launched) he has worked at the station with his [Gift Grub](/source/Gift_Grub) team providing comedic value. 2fm has struggled to find a suitable replacement ever since. Attempts have included [Hector Ó hEochagáin](/source/Hector_%C3%93_hEochag%C3%A1in), [Ryan Tubridy](/source/Ryan_Tubridy), [Colm Hayes](/source/Colm_Hayes) and [Marty Whelan](/source/Marty_Whelan) in recent years. When the move was announced he was refused entry to the Montrose campus and publicly complained that over 20,000 albums of his were not returned to him by RTÉ. In recent years it has been widely reported that 2fm has tried to tempt him back. In 2007 Dempsey started presenting an online radio show for Irish people abroad called *[The Craic](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Craic_(radio_show)&action=edit&redlink=1)*.

Dempsey appeared on *[The Restaurant](/source/The_Restaurant_(Irish_TV_series))* where he bamboozled the critics with his Mini Bloody Mary Burgers, JFK's Lidded Lobster Soup, Swedish Meatballs, Tagliatelle with Lightly Curried Prawns, Deeply Bitter Chocolate Mousse and a dish he called "The Bomb".[8][9]

In late August 2015, Dempsey and Today FM colleague Louise Duffy presented The Seven O’Clock Show on TV3 filling in for usual hosts Martin King and Lucy Kennedy.[10]

## Personal life

Dempsey lives in [Sutton, Dublin](/source/Sutton%2C_Dublin). He is married to Ger and has three children.[11] [12] Evan is a member of the band The Kapitals who have played the [Oxegen Festival](/source/Oxegen_Festival) twice while Shane works as an engineer for Today FM.[4][13]

## Awards

Dempsey was nominated in the category of Best Radio DJ - National at the [2010 Meteor Awards](/source/2010_Meteor_Awards).[14]

On 16 September 2016, it was announced that Dempsey had been inducted into the PPI Radio Awards Hall of Fame along with RTE 2FM DJ [Dave Fanning](/source/Dave_Fanning) and South East Radio's Eamonn Buttle and Downtown Radio's Trevor Campbell.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Year Nominee / work Award Result 2010 Ian Dempsey Best Radio DJ - National Nominated

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** MeteorTV (6 February 2008). [*National DJ Nominees*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2gmvD7WRdw). Retrieved 23 October 2025 – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["RTÉ's grip on top 10 loosens as second Today FM show makes list"](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2007/1116/1194550495848.html). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Limerick prepares to host Special Olympics"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150302193852/http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0609/131999-specialolympics/). RTÉ. 9 June 2010. Archived from [the original](https://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0609/specialolympics.html) on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-defected_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-defected_4-1) Smith, Andrea (14 August 2013). ["Ian Dempsey: 'I defected from RTE like Pat, but there's no way he's having my parking space . . .'"](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/ian-dempsey-i-defected-from-rte-like-pat-but-theres-no-way-hes-having-my-parking-space/29499239.html). [Independent News & Media](/source/Independent_News_%26_Media). [The Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Herald_(Ireland),&action=edit&redlink=1). Retrieved 7 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["'Mischievous' welcome note from mentor Gerry Ryan is still treasured by Ian Dempsey"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150302193228/http://www.evoke.ie/news/mischievous-welcome-note-from-mentor-gerry-ryan-is-still-treasured-by-ian-dempsey/). 2 March 2015. Archived from [the original](https://www.evoke.ie/news/mischievous-welcome-note-from-mentor-gerry-ryan-is-still-treasured-by-ian-dempsey/) on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Neville, Sarah (21 October 2008). ["Zig and Zag return to TV for 21st anniversary"](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/zig-and-zag-return-to-tv-for-21st-anniversary/27889504.html). *[Evening Herald](/source/Evening_Herald)*. Retrieved 22 October 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["TV Listings: RTÉ One"](http://tvlistings.thetvroomplus.com/listing-798.html). *[RTÉ One](/source/RT%C3%89_One)*. 26 January 1991. Retrieved 2 March 2015.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Ian Dempsey"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150302193635/http://www.rte.ie/tv/therestaurant/iandempsey/index.html). *[The Restaurant](/source/The_Restaurant_(Irish_TV_series))*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rte.ie/tv/therestaurant/iandempsey/index.html) on 2 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Ian Dempsey's Menu"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150302193543/http://www.rte.ie/tv/therestaurant/iandempsey/menu.html). *[The Restaurant](/source/The_Restaurant_(Irish_TV_series))*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rte.ie/tv/therestaurant/iandempsey/menu.html) on 2 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["It's a long time since the Den, but Ian Dempsey is back on telly!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150825035849/http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/ian-dempsey-tv-return). *[Evoke.ie](/source/Evoke.ie)*. 24 August 2015. Archived from [the original](https://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/ian-dempsey-tv-return/) on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["'My biggest competition on morning radio is from my god-daughter Doireann Garrihy on 2FM', says Ian Dempsey"](https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/my-biggest-competition-on-morning-radio-is-from-my-god-daughter-doireann-garrihy-on-2fm-says-ian-dempsey-40073097.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Borrill, Rachel (5 March 2011). ["A gift for radio"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150302193414/http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/a-gift-for-radio-147066.html). *[Irish Examiner](/source/Irish_Examiner)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.irishexaminer.com/weekend/features/a-gift-for-radio-147066.html) on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Young guns The Capitals all fired up for shot at Oxegen"](https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/young-guns-the-capitals-all-fired-up-for-shot-at-oxegen/26650797.html). Independent News & Media. Irish Independent. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Meteor Ireland Awards Nominees"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100117085832/http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0107/meteornominees.html). *[RTÉ](/source/RT%C3%89)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0107/meteornominees.html) on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2010.

## External links

- [Official website](https://web.archive.org/web/20081219050908/http://www.todayfm.com/shows/weekdays/ian-dempsey-breakfast-show/Overview.aspx) of *[The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show](/source/The_Ian_Dempsey_Breakfast_Show)*

- [2009 ski trip](http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Ian-Dempsey-Breakfast-Show/SkiTrip2009.aspx) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090206075548/http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Ian-Dempsey-Breakfast-Show/SkiTrip2009.aspx) 6 February 2009 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) of *[The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show](/source/The_Ian_Dempsey_Breakfast_Show)*

v t e Today FM Formerly known as Radio Ireland Limited Ownership history John McColgan and Moya Doherty (1997–2002) Scottish Radio Holdings (2002–2007) Communicorp and Denis O'Brien (2007–present) Notable incidents Brian Cowen nude portraits controversy (2009) Shows Current The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show The Last Word Former The Essential Series Here Comes the Night The Ray D'Arcy Show Small Hours Craic agus ceol Even Better Than the Disco Thing Even Better Than the Real Thing 1 2 3 Gift Grub José and his Amazing Technicolor Overcoat Gift Grub 6: The Special One

v t e RTÉ 2fm Presenters Weekday Marie Crowe Beta Da Silva Doireann Garrihy Jenny Greene Dan Hegarty Carl Mullan Ruby Walsh Weekend Cormac Battle Conor Behan Dave Clarke Aindriú de Paor Laura Fox Mo K Aifric O'Connell Emma Power Roz Purcell Dave Tracey Bláthnaid Treacy DJ Wax Former Jay Ahern Bazil Ashmawy Johnny B Nicky Byrne Stephen Byrne Mark Cagney Michael Cahill Tracy Clifford Ronan Collins Ian Dempsey Leo J. Enright BP Fallon Dave Fanning Tony Fenton Larry Gogan Emilia Golightly Jimmy Greeley Chris Greene Vincent Hanley Colm Hayes Nikki Hayes Avril Hoare Jenny Huston Lucy Kennedy Pat Kenny Ciara King Denzil Lacey Will Leahy Aidan Leonard Michael Lyster Maxi Mark McCabe Damien McCaul Eoghan McDermott Paddy McKenna Alan McQuillan Louise McSharry Declan Meehan Mike Moloney Caroline Morahan Arthur Murphy Jim-Jim Nugent Donncha O'Callaghan Gareth O'Callaghan Hector Ó hEochagáin Jim O'Neill Bernard O'Shea Rick O'Shea Dave Redmond Gerry Ryan Ruth Scott Johnny Smacks Gerry Stevens Tommy Tiernan Ryan Tubridy Keith Walsh Marty Whelan Simon Young Jennifer Zamparelli Shows Current 2FM Breakfast 2FM Mornings 2FM Request Show The Alternative The Electric Disco Game On The Greene Room The National Chart Show The Spring Session White Noise Former The Beatbox Black Echoes Breakfast Republic Breakfast with Hector Chris and Ciara The Colm & Jim-Jim Breakfast Show The Colm and Lucy Show The Dave Fanning Show Drive By Drive It with The 2 Johnnies Europe's Biggest Dance Show The Full Irish The Gerry Ryan Show Larry Gogan's Golden Hour Mailbag Marty in the Morning The Rick & Ruth Breakfast Show Tubridy Announcers and newsreaders Kate Carolan Rachael English Jacqui Hurley Barry O'Neill Other contributors Philip Boucher-Hayes Des Cahill Oliver Callan Brenda Donohue Eamon Horan Jenny Kelly Darren Kennedy Lucy Kennedy Fiona Looney Conor McNamara Evelyn O'Rourke Lottie Ryan Laura Woods Heads John Clarke John McMahon Dan Healy Related 2fm 2moro 2our Death of Gerry Ryan "Maniac 2000" Nob Nation Operation Transformation Podcasts 2FM Song Contest RTÉ 2XM Other RTÉ radio stations: RTÉ Radio 1 RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta RTÉ lyric fm

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ian Dempsey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dempsey) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dempsey?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.