Gareth O'Callaghan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gareth O'Callaghan
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Gareth O'Callaghan in the 4fm studio
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| Born | 17 March 1961 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Radio presenter |
| Known for | Writing and mental health advocacy |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Spouse(s) |
Paula Delaney
(m. 2020) |
| Children | 3 daughters |
Gareth O'Callaghan (born 24 March 1961) is a well-known Irish writer and a presenter on radio and television. He has worked on many popular radio stations throughout his career. Most recently, he was heard on 4fm. Before that, he presented shows on RTÉ 2fm for many years until 2005, and then on Galway Bay FM.
In January 2022, Gareth returned to radio after taking a four-year break. He started presenting a new Saturday morning show with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio. As of July 2025, he is also the temporary presenter of the station's weekday Night Time Talk show. This happened after the previous presenter, Niall Boylan, left to run in the 2024 European Parliament election in Ireland.
Contents
Gareth O'Callaghan: Radio Star and Author
Early Life and Challenges
When Gareth was eleven years old in the early 1970s, he faced a difficult experience while staying at a house in Clara, County Offaly. This experience caused him to have nightmares for many years. He found it hard to talk about what happened.
Later, he tried to get help by talking to a priest, but the priest was not understanding. When he told his mother, she was very supportive. She made sure he knew that he was not to blame for what had happened. These early challenges shaped his later work in helping others.
A Career in Radio
Gareth O'Callaghan started his radio career working with smaller, unofficial radio stations, sometimes called "pirate" stations, like Radio Dublin. In the early 1980s, he became a presenter on popular stations such as Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio. He also spent some time working on radio in the UK, including the offshore station Radio Caroline.
From Pirate Radio to National Airwaves
After working on these stations, Gareth joined official Irish radio. In 1989, he moved to the newly relaunched "2fm" station. There, he hosted the Gareth O'Callaghan in the Afternoon show. This show became very popular across Ireland. It had a fun and engaging style that many listeners loved.
He later presented the breakfast show on RTÉ 2fm. After leaving 2fm, Gareth took a break from radio to study psychology. He then became the breakfast show presenter on Galway Bay FM. In 2009, he helped launch Ireland's new commercial radio station, 4fm (now called Ireland's Classic Hits Radio). He hosted the morning show there before moving to the afternoon slot.
Returning to the Airwaves
In January 2022, Gareth O'Callaghan made a welcome return to Ireland's Classic Hits Radio. He began presenting a new Saturday morning program. In April 2024, he also took on the role of temporary host for the station's Night Time Talk show. This happened after the long-time host, Niall Boylan, decided to leave and run for a political position.
Becoming an Author
Gareth O'Callaghan has been writing books since 1995. He has written several best-selling books, including novels and a memoir. He also contributed two stories, Joe's Wedding and Stray Dog, to the New Island Open Door series.
Writing About Hope
One of his most famous books is A Day Called Hope: A Journey Beyond Depression. In this book, Gareth shared his own personal experiences with severe depression. He wrote about how he struggled with his mental health after his radio job each day. The book became one of the biggest-selling books in Ireland in 2003. It has been published in 15 countries and translated into 10 languages, helping many people around the world.
Gareth also writes regularly for national newspapers in Ireland, such as The Irish Times and the Sunday Independent. He is currently working on a follow-up to A Day Called Hope and a new novel. His seventh book, What Matters Now: A Memoir of Hope and Finding a Way Through the Dark, was published in March 2021.
Personal Life and Health Journey
Gareth O'Callaghan lives in Cork with his wife, Paula Delaney. They met in March 2015 and got married in September 2020. Gareth has three daughters named Kerri, Katie, and Aibhín.
Living with Health Challenges
Gareth experienced depression for many years, from the 1990s until 2015. He sought help and was prescribed medication, which he took for two years.
In early 2016, he began to experience heart issues. Later, in late 2017, he had a fall at work. In March 2018, Gareth shared with listeners that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). He explained that he had noticed changes like tripping, dropping things, and difficulty choosing words. He said it was a relief to understand what was happening to him.
In August 2018, Gareth retired from radio after being diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA). This is a very rare and progressive illness that affects the nervous system. He shared online that the illness was progressing quickly, making it difficult for him to continue working.
In March 2023, Gareth spent six weeks in the hospital after being in a car crash in Cork.
Helping Others
Gareth O'Callaghan is a strong supporter of topics related to mental health and well-being. Because of his own experiences, he has written books that deal with these important subjects. He has also spoken out to support charities that help people with mental health challenges. He has even represented these causes in important discussions in Dáil Éireann, which is the Irish parliament.
