'That's all from me' - Joe Duffy bids farewell to Liveline after 27 years on air on RTÉ

In an emotional final show, Joe Duffy said farewell to his Liveline listeners on Friday afternoon after 27 years behind the helm.

The legendary broadcaster announced his retirement on 8 May live on air after 27 years presenting Liveline and over 37 years working for RTÉ.

After joining Liveline in 1998, Joe soon became an iconic voice in Irish radio on the hugely popular programme which regularly attracts over 400,000 listeners. 

A host of special guests joined Joe in studio on Friday to send the Dubliner off in style for his final show, including a teary Brush Shiels, the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, comedian Oliver Callan and even a special caller - Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

The Taoiseach called the show to thank Joe for being the "voice of the people." Micheál Martin said that Joe "was authentic and gave the people a platform."

He told Joe: "You never left your roots, your working-class background stood to you. The values your parents and family gave to you, I think, were the reason why you were unique.

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"You had a unique capacity to mediate between the people and authority and allow them to tell their stories."

On a funny note, the Taoiseach said he knew Joe going back to his student days and that Joe had taught him a few things, to which the host responded: "you forgot them quick enough." 

In a very sincere and personal exchange, the Taoiseach said he especially wanted to thank Joe for his kindness and compassion as he recalled the Liveline host's interactions with his own family through the years.

Joe said he remembered meeting Martin's daughter Leana during a crab fishing competition years ago. Young Leana passed away at the age of seven following a heart condition in 2010.

The Taoiseach said one of the last great days the family had with Leana was at one of those competitions and unknowingly Joe had taken some photos of Martin on the pier with Leana in his arms and he kindly sent them to him after she had passed away.

The Taoiseach said: "That's something Mary and I have always treasured. That's what I meant by your personal kindness."

There was also plenty of musical performances during the show with the likes Oliver Callan's Quartet and Declan O'Rourke who performed 'Children of '16', a song written for the Centenary. O'Rourke dedicated the performance for the children of Palestine. 

President Michael D. Higgins also wrote into the show to thank Joe for his "dedicated service" to the people of Ireland. The letter thanked the radio host for his "remarkable contribution to Irish life" and his "commitment to ordinary people."

The radio legend signed off his final show by telling listeners: "That's all from me on Liveline. Love you all, it's been a privilege."