Hector O Heochagain

Shane Ó hEochagáin, known mononymously as Hector, was born on August 17, 1969, in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, and raised in Navan, County Meath. He attended St Patrick’s Classical School in Navan. Prior to his career in broadcasting, Ó hEochagáin worked as a mechanical effects assistant on films such as “The Haunting of Hell House” and “Knocking on Death’s Door” in 1999, and also had an acting role as ‘Cop 5’ in “Bloodfist VIII: Trained to Kill” in 1996. He is married to Dympna Griffin.

Ó hEochagáin gained initial recognition through his travelogue program “Amú” on TG4, the Irish language television station. His informal and engaging presentation style contributed to his rise in popularity. Following this success, he created and hosted two primetime series: “Only Fools Buy Horses” (2003), which offered a satirical perspective on racehorse ownership; and “Hanging with Hector” (2004), where he interacted with Irish celebrities. Notable episodes included spending time with then-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, a penalty shootout with Shay Given, a snooker match with Ken Doherty, and a segment with racehorse trainer Aidan O’Brien. He has garnered multiple Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) for his shows.

His broadcasting career continued to expand, including presenting “Breakfast with Hector” on RTÉ 2fm from October 2010 to December 2013 and “The Sunday Sitting Room” on Today FM. He presented “Hector Goes” on RTÉ 1, a four-part series in 2013, exploring various aspects of Irish life. In 2019, he presented “Hector USA – Ó Chósta go Cósta,” documenting a road trip across the Southern United States. From September 2020 to April 2024, he co-hosted “The Tommy, Hector and Laurita Podcast,” which concluded due to individual career commitments. In 2024, his non-fiction book, “The Irish Words You Should Know,” received an award at the Irish Book Awards, further solidifying his diverse contributions to Irish media.