Forty Years A Growing!

To mark the fortieth anniversary of RTE Television, a special series of programes were broadcast over the New Year's Day. The Big 40 looked at the highlights and happenings, the stars and the celebs from four decades of Irish Television. Some of the stars in question were the public themselves and RTE tracked down many of those who received their fifteen minutes of fame.

In 1976, RTE did a special show with Gilbert O'Sullivan with was presented by Vincent Hanley. The show was recorded in front of a studio audience filled with Gilbert's fans. Between songs they were able to ask him questions. A young girl named Angela Lynch stepped out of the audience and went up to Gilbert where she performed her own poem for her pop idol. RTE tried to find Angela for the television special only to learn that shortly after the program was recorded she moved to Australia.

Here are photos for those you not lucky enough to see the TV program!

Angela's Poem:

G is for Gorgeous he really is
I is for In the hand of his
L is for Lovely as you can see
B is for Best he is to me
E is for Every sound he makes
R is for making Rhymes he takes
T is for Tiny Tears I cry

If I don't get you Gilbert I will surely die!

A special "Merci Beaucoup" goes out to my London Correspondent: David Birch for the video grabs and the video tape!