It's a new dawn, it's a new day...
In what looks like a turn of the tide, RTÉ has announced an all-female presenter cast for their Six O'Clock news and Nine O'Clock news slots, a first for the public service broadcaster.
The move comes after Bryan Dobson and Sharon Ní Bheoláin are moving into new presenting roles. Sharon Ní Bheoláin is set to become the new presenter of Crimecall and will continue to present the Nine O' Clock news with Eileen Dunne. Bryan Dobson will be taking on a new as a presenter for Morning Ireland, an RTÉ radio show.
Replacing the pair on the Six One news will be Keelin Shanley and Caitríona Perry. Keelin Shanley currently presents News at One on RTÉ Radio 1 and Crimecall on RTÉ One and Caitríona Perry is RTÉ's Washington Correspondent. Speaking to RTÉ, Director of RTÉ News & Current Affairs Jon Williams said:
For over a decade, Bryan and Sharon have set the standard for TV news in Ireland and I couldn't be more grateful and more excited as each embarks on new challenges for RTÉ News. I'm thrilled that Keelin and Caitríona will bring their intellect, competitive drive, and focus on storytelling to RTÉ's Six One News. In a news environment where we are bombarded by opinions and half-truths all day long, there’s no bigger challenge than to make sense of it all on Six One - and no better new presenting team to do so.
Bryan Dobson's retirement from the Six O'Clock News, a role he filled for ten years, was an emotional one as he had these parting words to say:
"I hate to go, but I'm afraid I have to leave. So thank you, and goodnight." Bryan Dobson signs off Six One. https://t.co/j554wS8fDm pic.twitter.com/tu9plhUVoO
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 25, 2017
Advertisement
Although Dobson will be moving to Morning Ireland and won't be officially leaving our airwaves, Twitter reacted to his retirement with well-wishes, messages of thanks, and of course that inimitable Irish humour:
Farewell Bryan Dobson #RTEnews #stayclassy
— JJ ? (@JJcaherstar) October 25, 2017
Finally he’s free #bryandobson #dobbo #joedotie #rte #dobby #rtenews #joe pic.twitter.com/u81C35mYY9
— Tomás Gallagher (@TomsGallagher) October 25, 2017
Advertisement
Aw I'm sorry to see #Dobbo go from the news slot on @rtenews His dulcet tones & professionalism will be missed @briansixone #rtenews ? pic.twitter.com/B68xgTBETK
— Michéal Coughlan (@MichealCoughlan) October 25, 2017
Ah god sorry to see Brian go ? wel done to sharon for keeping it together, teary myself #RTEnews
— Eimear O' Brien (@mseim_ob) October 25, 2017
I feel like Dobson should have said this before he left #rtenews pic.twitter.com/Gf4bpbvLbU
— Cathal Flaherty (@CathalFlaherty) October 25, 2017
You know your mammy's Irish when:
She records Brian Dobson's last news piece for keepsake. #RTEnews #RTE #Briandobson— Stephen Murphy (@ste_murphy94) October 25, 2017
