Every now and then a presenter comes along and is the full package. Professional on and off air, creative, tight, unconsciously aware of what makes great radio and consistent.
Mark Byrne is one of those people.
I first met Mark out in Community Radio 257 in the (very) early 80s. It was my first gig on radio, whilst Mark had been at it for a couple of years. Even then he set the benchmark to which we all tried to reach.
Our paths would cross again in a few stations after that, as Mark went on to the Super Pirate Sunshine 101, then to the national stage in Ireland on Century Radio along with stints on FM104 in Dublin and Atlantic 252 from County Meath.
His spell at Radio Ireland/TodayFM was short but very successful. As the morning presenter on this national, he brought comedy to the show for the first time - introducing characters and comedians. It was verymuch the template for the Gift Grub content you now hear on the station. I had a lot of fun working with Mark on this show, writing scripts, devising comedy and hiring new voice talents and as always, Mark was incredibly receptive to ideas and creativity.
When things didn't work out at Today FM and Mark was replaced by Ian Dempsey, he moved over to 98FM in Dublin to present both the Dawn Patrol and Home Run (two shows I also presented later - told you I was following him)!
One of Mark's passions has always been flying and throughout the late 90s and early noughties, he obtained his private pilots licence and later his commercial too. This proved to be his future calling.
One of Mark's passions has always been flying and throughout the late 90s and early noughties, he obtained his private pilots licence and later his commercial too. This proved to be his future calling.
98FM ended for him, as most gigs do, and Mark was left with a decision - stay in radio or pursue the flying dream.
When an opportunity came along to work as a pilot with Ryanair, he jumped at the chance. Based in Dublin, it meant he could also remain on air on a part time basis with Q102.
Eventually, the radio business had to take a back seat to flying.
His aviation career has taken him from Ryanair to Air France/CityJet to EasyJet.
At the moment the only microphone Mark speaks into is the one between the cockpit and the control tower.
Currently working for Swiss International, he is based in Zurich and Milan.
I met Mark recently and am glad to say he looks the same as he did when I first met him and is as nice and decent as man now as he has always been.
I met Mark recently and am glad to say he looks the same as he did when I first met him and is as nice and decent as man now as he has always been.
I reckon we haven't heard the last of him on Irish radio though...!
