PJ Gallagher is sharing a candid new chapter, and it is one that has struck a chord across entertainment news Ireland. The broadcaster and comedian has reflected warmly on becoming a father later in life, saying the timing feels not only manageable but genuinely right for him and his family.
The Radio Nova star, who welcomed twins Milo and Stevie with partner Kelly Doolin in August 2023, spoke honestly about entering parenthood in his fifties. Now 51, Gallagher said he has no regrets about not having children earlier, explaining that his life back then was packed with racing, stand-up and television work that would have made family life far harder to balance.
PJ Gallagher says fatherhood came at the better time
In comments that are already making waves in Irish entertainment news, Gallagher joked that he may be mistaken for a grandad at the school gates, but insisted his energy levels are strong and that he is fully embracing the experience. His view was simple: there may never be a perfect time to have children, but this has been the better time for him.
That honesty is part of what makes the story resonate in celebrity news Ireland. Rather than framing age as a drawback, Gallagher presented it as perspective. He suggested that if fatherhood had arrived during his younger, busier years, he would not have been able to give the same time and attention to his children.
- He said his earlier years were dominated by stand-up, TV and motorbike racing
- He believes he is more available to his children now
- He described late fatherhood as challenging, funny and rewarding
New RTÉ series puts drivers back under pressure
Alongside his personal reflections, Gallagher is also fronting a fresh project in TV news Ireland with RTÉ’s new six-part series Random Driving Test. The format takes licensed drivers from around the country and sends them back onto real driving test routes to see whether they still have what it takes.
The show travels through locations including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Naas, Navan and Kilkenny, with contestants facing classic test challenges such as:
- Hill starts
- Turnabouts
- Reversing around corners
- Roundabouts and tricky junctions
- Traffic-light decisions and surprise hazards
Adding to the tension is resident expert Brian Harnett, a former senior RSA tester who has carried out more than 25,000 driving tests. Each driver begins with €1,000, losing €100 per fault, and nine faults means they fail and leave empty-handed.
PJ promises fun, judgement and familiar bad habits
Gallagher said one of the biggest appeals of the programme is that viewers get to judge from the comfort of their sofas. That mix of humour, pressure and relatable mistakes gives the series a strong hook for audiences following Irish TV news and wider entertainment updates Ireland.
He also pointed to the state of driving standards and road patience, remarking on how often motorists are distracted or push through red lights. It is that recognisable everyday chaos, paired with big personalities, that could make the show one of the more talked-about entries in latest entertainment news Ireland.
A personal story with real staying power
What makes this moment stand out in entertainment news Ireland is the balance between personal honesty and professional momentum. PJ Gallagher is not just launching a new TV show; he is also offering a refreshingly grounded take on fatherhood, timing and life experience. His message is clear: there is no universal schedule for parenthood, and sometimes the road that starts later can still be exactly the right one.
Random Driving Test airs on Thursdays on RTÉ One at 7pm.
