Gavan Reilly Steps Into the Spotlight with His Own Show, Leaning on a Strong Support System
For years, Irish viewers have tuned in to Virgin Media News, becoming familiar with the trusted faces of Gavan Reilly, Zara King, and Richard Chambers. Whether they’re delivering breaking news together or pursuing individual projects, this dynamic trio has become a staple of the Irish media landscape. Now, Gavan Reilly is embarking on a new solo venture, launching his own program titled “Monday with Gavan Reilly.”
Reilly recently shared his thoughts on this exciting new chapter, describing the experience of seeing his name front and centre as “surreal.” He acknowledged the unwavering support of his colleagues, noting that King and Chambers were “really, really pleased” for him, understanding that this was a career goal he had long aspired to achieve.
Beyond his professional camaraderie, Gavan has also found immense encouragement from his family. His wife, Ciara, and their two young daughters, Doireann and Bláthnaid, are his biggest cheerleaders.
Ciara: The Cornerstone of Gavan’s Success
Gavan candidly admitted that the common saying about a great woman behind every great man holds true for him. “I couldn’t do any of this without the full support of my wife and of the girls,” he stated. He highlighted a key advantage of working in television: the ability to switch off from work when he gets home. “One thing which is useful about working in TV versus working in other industries is that you can’t make TV when you go home, so it’s slightly easier to compartmentalise when you’re at home.”
However, he quickly added a humorous caveat, joking that his daughters, aged six and four, are the ultimate distractions from work. “There’s nothing like having a six and a four-year-old to really make sure that your mind is not on work,” he quipped, “because they do ask a lot of you, and they put a lot on your plate, and they’re great.”
The demands of his new Monday night show, which will involve guaranteed late finishes, would be unmanageable without Ciara’s understanding and willingness to step in. “I couldn’t do, like for example, the guaranteed late nights that I now know I’m going to have every Monday, without my wife Ciara being immensely supportive and fully prepared to pick up the slack that I’m going to be leaving behind on a Monday.”
His gratitude extends beyond his current role. “I’m very grateful to her for doing that, but also for standing behind me when I was doing the Sundays for many years, and also the nature of my job, when it means that there could be occasional late finishes.” He emphasised the unpredictable nature of news, where “big news is going to emerge that’s going to keep you at work for late finishes.” This reality necessitates a robust support network, and Gavan is fortunate to have it in his “very supportive wife and understanding kids.”
Adding to this essential support system are his parents, who frequently assist with childcare on certain evenings. “It takes a village, really, to keep the whole thing on the road,” Gavan reflected. He firmly believes that his professional achievements are a direct result of their consistent backing, finding it “very gratifying.”
The Girls: Keeping Dad Grounded
Gavan’s daughters, Doireann (six) and Bláthnaid (four), are still at an age where the intricacies of their father’s job might not be entirely appropriate for young ears. Despite this, they have caught glimpses of him on television. While they used to get excited about seeing him on screen, Gavan mentioned that “the novelty has completely worn off.”
He fondly recalls having “some very cute videos from when they were smaller, of them not having any concept of the idea that daddy’s work is that he’s on TV.”
One particularly touching memory is of his eldest daughter, Doireann, during the COVID-19 lockdown. “There’s a particularly adorable of the eldest, Doireann, during the Covid-19 lockdown, and her trying to wave to the screen and not understanding that I wasn’t going to be waving back, which is very cute,” Gavan shared.
However, the initial wonder has faded. His younger daughter, Bláthnaid, has expressed a desire to be on TV when she’s older. This often sparks a moment of parental pride in Gavan, who instinctively asks if she wants to be a journalist. Her straightforward reply, “No, I don’t want to be a journalist. I just want to be on TV,” brings a smile to his face.
Gavan sometimes muses about his daughters’ perception of his career. “I do sometimes wonder what their perception of things is, like they must have this idea that everyone’s parents are on TV, because it’s all they know.” For them, seeing their dad on television is no longer remarkable; it’s simply a part of their everyday lives. They are, he jokes, “completely blasé about it now.” This nonchalance means he occasionally needs to find other ways to impress them.
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