109.78.142.124 at 14:50, 29 March 2025

2025-03-29T14:50:07Z

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{{Short description|Irish broadcaster}}
{{for|the baseball player|Ray Foley (baseball)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ray Foley
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Ballina, County Mayo|Ballina]], [[County Mayo]], Ireland<ref name="Mayo DJs">{{Cite news |date=19 February 2008 |title=Mayo DJs honoured |url=https://www.mayonews.ie/news/home/1125299/mayo-djs-honoured.html |access-date=7 April 2009 |work=[[The Mayo News]]}}</ref>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| other_names =
| known_for = ''The Ray Foley Show''<br />''The Blast''<br />''The Essential Rock Anthems with Ray & JP''
| education = Journalism degree
| alma_mater = [[Dublin Institute of Technology]] (DIT)
| employer = [[98FM]] (2012–15)<ref name="Mayo DJs" />
| occupation = [[Disc jockey]]
| spouse = Kate Carolan
| website = {{URL|rayfoleyshow.blogspot.com}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Raymond Foley''' is an Irish television host and radio presenter.
Having worked at [[Dublin's 98FM]] and [[SPIN 1038]] early in his career, Foley moved to Today FM in 2004. In 2006, he moved to midday and presented ''The 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 show ''[[Take Me Out (Irish game show)|Take Me Out]]'' on [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]]. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 2012 |title=Ray Foley leaving TodayFM, but where is he going? · The Daily Edge |url=http://thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/ray-foley-leaving-today-fm-98fm-632589-Oct2012/ |access-date=2 August 2014 |publisher=[[The Daily Edge]]}}</ref>
In 2022, Foley returned to Today FM with an afternoon show.
{{TOClimit|limit=4}}

== Early career ==
Following an entry in the ''DJ For a Day'' competition on [[RTÉ 2fm|2FM]] (on [[Tony Fenton]]'s ''Hotline'' show) in 1997, Foley got a taste for broadcasting. This led to him beginning his studies as a journalist in [[Dublin Institute of Technology]], from which he graduated in October 2004<ref name="WP Blast">{{Cite news |date=19 January 2005 |title=Quite a blast from Ray |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/westernpeople/2005/01/19/story23150.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622113146/http://archives.tcm.ie/westernpeople/2005/01/19/story23150.asp |archive-date=22 June 2011 |access-date=7 April 2009 |work=[[Western People]] |publisher=[[Thomas Crosbie Holdings]]}}</ref> While there he started working at [[East Coast FM]], and thence moved to 98FM and as a newsreader on [[Lite FM (Ireland)|Lite FM]], before moving to [[SPIN 1038]], "to get re-acquainted with presenting again".<ref name="radio star">{{Cite news |date=27 July 2006 |title=Radio Star |url=https://www.mayonews.ie/news/local-news/1107872/radio-star.html |access-date=7 April 2009 |work=[[The Mayo News]]}}</ref> While there, he presented ''The Zoo Crew'' with Clionadh O'Leary on week nights.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2002 |title=Clionadh O'Leary |url=http://radiowaves.fm/ire/blog/tag/clionadh-oleary/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505101312/http://radiowaves.fm/ire/blog/tag/clionadh-oleary/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=5 May 2024 |website=Radiowaves.FM}}</ref>

== Today FM career ==
In 2004 Foley moved to Today FM and began presenting late night show, ''The Blast'' with his college friend, JP Gilbourne, from [[Dundalk]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} Foley and JP regularly filled-in for [[Ray D'Arcy]], [[Tony Fenton]] and [[Tom 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 the [[Lily Allen]] song "Fuck You Very Much" on lunchtime radio in 2008.<ref name="Complaints about report and song upheld">{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Olivia |date=12 November 2008 |title=Complaints about report and song upheld |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1112/1226408553791.html |access-date=12 November 2008 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

=== Today FM afternoon show (2006–2012, 2022-present) ===
{{Infobox radio show
| show_name = The Ray Foley Show
| italic_title = no
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| other_names =
| format = Chat / music
| runtime = 14:00 - 16:30
| country = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| home_station = [[Today FM]]
| syndicates =
| television =
| starring =
| creator =
| writer =
| director =
| producer =
| newsreader =
| sportreader =
| executive_producer =
| narrated =
| record_location = Marconi House, Digges Lane, Dublin 2
| first_aired = 2022
| last_aired =
| num_series =
| num_episodes =
| audio_format = [[FM broadcasting|FM]] and [[Digital radio]]
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| website = [http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Ray-Foley.aspx Official site]
| podcast = [http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Ray-Foley/PodcastAudio.aspx Ray Foley Show Podcast]
}}

For 6 years Foley broadcast during the afternoon on Today FM, directly after ''[[The Ray D'Arcy Show]]''. The [[tagline]] 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 included [[Ann Gleeson]], Alan Metcalfe (''Funky Phone Boy Al'') and reviewer Eoghan Doherty (''Nordy Eoghan'').{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Following a nearly decade long hiatus from the station, Foley and Gilbourne returned to Today FM to present ''Ray Foley'' on weekday afternoon from the 14th of February 2022.

=== Essential Rock Anthems ===
In 2009, Foley and JP presented ''The 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|date=September 2024}} In November 2009, ''Ray Foley and JP's Essential Rock Anthems'' CD was launched, a two-CD collection, including tracks from artists such as [[Meat Loaf]], [[Therapy?]], [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]], [[Thin Lizzy]], [[Whitesnake]], [[Motörhead]], [[Placebo (band)|Placebo]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[Radiohead]], [[The Knack]], [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]], [[The Jam]] and [[Journey (band)|Journey]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

== 98FM (2012–2015) ==
On 12 October 2012, it was announced that Ray and JP were leaving [[Today FM]] to host the breakfast show on 98FM.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

On 22 December 2015 the ''Irish Independent'' reported that his 98FM show would finish up on 24 December.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Calnan |first=Denise |date=22 December 2015 |title=Popular radio presenter Ray Foley is leaving 98fm |url=http://independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/popular-radio-presenter-ray-foley-is-leaving-98fm-34308962.html |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref> He has since been replaced by Steven Cooper and Luke O'Faolain.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 January 2016 |title=Dublin, Get Ready For The Big Breakfast |url=http://98fm.com/-Dublin-Get-Ready-For-The-Big-Breakfast |publisher=[[Dublin's 98FM|98FM]]}}</ref>

== TV3/Virgin Media career ==
Foley moved into television presentation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foley |first=Ray |date=19 August 2010 |title=Radio Ray's going on the box |url=http://www.joe.ie/joe-life/ray-foley/radio-rays-going-on-the-box-004559-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910125119/http://www.joe.ie/joe-life/ray-foley/radio-rays-going-on-the-box-004559-1 |archive-date=10 September 2010 |access-date=19 August 2010 |work=[[JOE.ie]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 August 2010 |title=TV3 launches autumn schedule in Dublin |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2010/0819/tv3.html |access-date=19 August 2010 |work=[[RTÉ TEN]]}}</ref> He became the Irish [[Paddy McGuinness]] by presenting ''Take Me Out''. [[Seán Munsanje]] from ''[[Xposé]]'' took him shopping to style him for the job.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shopping with Ray Foley |url=http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=26476&locID=1.65.68&page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913054337/http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=26476&locID=1.65.68&page=1 |archive-date=13 September 2012 |work=[[TV3.ie]]}}</ref> He was also mentioned in relation to ''[[The Apprentice: You're Fired! (Irish TV series)|The Apprentice: You're Fired!]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Finn |first=Melanie |date=13 August 2010 |title=Today FM star may cast a fresh Ray of light on to TV3 Apprentice spin-off |url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/today-fm-star-may-cast-a-fresh-ray-of-light-on-to-tv3-apprentice-spinoff-2296025.html |access-date=13 August 2010 |work=[[Evening Herald]]}}</ref>

From 2015 to 2022, Foley presented the Friday edition of ''[[The 6 O'Clock Show]]'' on the renamed [[Virgin Media One]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Townsend |first=Michelle |date=11 February 2022 |title=Ray Foley announces he is leaving Virgin Media's The Six O'Clock Show |url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/ray-foley-announces-leaving-virgin-26208299 |website=[[RSVP Live]]}}</ref>
He has since occasionally presented ''[[Ireland AM]]''.

== Awards ==
Foley won a [[Meteor Music Awards|Meteor Music Award]] for ''Best National DJ'' in [[2008 Meteor Awards|2008]], [[2009 Meteor Awards|2009]] and again in [[2010 Meteor Awards|2010]].<ref name="Meteors 09">{{Cite magazine |title=The Script and Sharon Shannon bag Meteors |url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/5315938.html |access-date=18 March 2009 |magazine=[[Hot Press]]}}</ref> Foley celebrated winning the 2008 award by singing a version of [[Journey (band)|Journey]]'s "[[Don't Stop Believin']]", and in 2009 with the theme tune to TV's ''[[Home and Away]]''<ref name="Ray Foley Show Podcast">{{Cite web |title=Podcast including audio from Meteor Awards 2009 |url=http://audio.todayfm.com/audio/foleyshow18032009.mp3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20090318034824/http://audio.todayfm.com/audio/foleyshow18032009.mp3 |archive-date=18 March 2009 |access-date=18 March 2009 |publisher=[[Today FM]]}}</ref> as part of his acceptance speech. In 2008 he launched a successful daily campaign to dethrone namesake [[Ray D'Arcy]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2008 |title=Eight awards in a row for Westlife |url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/gossip/view/29676/Eight-awards-in-a-row-for-Westlife/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724164719/http://www.dailystar.co.uk/gossip/view/29676/Eight-awards-in-a-row-for-Westlife/ |archive-date=24 July 2012 |access-date=16 February 2008 |work=[[Irish Daily Star|Daily Star]]}}</ref>

Foley achieved the PPI Radio Award's Music Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010.<ref name="PPI 09" /><ref name="PPI 10">{{Cite web |title=PPI Radio Awards 2010 – Recognising the Best in Irish Radio Broadcasting |url=http://www.ppiradioawards.com/2010/winners_2010.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108041033/http://www.ppiradioawards.com/2010/winners_2010.asp |archive-date=8 January 2011 |access-date=10 December 2010}}</ref> Also in 2009 Foley and JP won the award for ''Best Specialist Music Programme'' for their Sunday evening show, ''The Essential Rock Anthems with Ray & JP''.<ref name="PPI 09">{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=PPI Radio Awards 2009 – Recognising the Best in Irish Radio Broadcasting |url=http://www.ppiradioawards.com/2009/winners_2009.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015050642/http://www.ppiradioawards.com/2009/winners_2009.asp |archive-date=2009-10-15 |access-date=5 October 2009 |website=[[PPIRadioAwards.com]]}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| [[2008 Meteor Awards|2008]] || Ray Foley || Best Irish DJ at the Meteor Awards || {{won}}
|-
| [[2009 Meteor Awards|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 Meteor Awards|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}}
|-
{{end}}

== Personal life ==

Foley married [[RTÉ 2fm]] [[News presenter|newsreader]] Kate Carolan in 2007. They met while working at [[Spin 1038|SPIN 1038]].<ref name="radio star" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bannon Ward |first=Shauna |date=31 July 2023 |title=Ray Foley enjoys outing with two sons in rare family snaps |url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/gallery/ray-foley-enjoys-outing-two-30596352 |website=[[RSVP Live]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://rayfoleyshow.blogspot.com/ Ray Foley's blog]

{{Today FM}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foley, Ray}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Dublin's 98FM presenters]]
[[Category:Alumni of Dublin Institute of Technology]]
[[Category:East Coast FM presenters]]
[[Category:Irish game show hosts]]
[[Category:SPIN 1038 presenters]]
[[Category:Today FM presenters]]
[[Category:Virgin Media Television (Ireland) presenters]]
[[Category:People from Ballina, County Mayo]]
[[Category:Irish electronic dance music DJs]]
[[Category:Broadcasters from County Mayo]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Ray Foley - Revision history

109.78.142.124 at 14:50, 29 March 2025