McCullagh moves to Today programme as Byrne to leave RTÉ

Kenneth Fox

Broadcaster Claire Byrne will leave RTÉ and take up a position at Newstalk from early next year.

She will host a new mid-morning programme on the station's prime time schedule.

The announcement comes after Pat Kenny revealed he will be moving to a weekend slot from next spring.

RTÉ has confirmed broadcaster David McCullagh will take over Radio One's Today programme, after Claire's departure.

McCullagh is currently an anchor on The Six One News alongside Sharon Tobin.

In a statement Claire Byrne said: "When we started Claire Byrne Live in 2015, we wanted it to be a forum for people in Ireland to shape the news, respond to unfolding events and most importantly, to have their say.

"We came through two general elections, two hugely significant referendums and one global pandemic in the time that we have been on air," she said.

Of the Today programme, she said, that her role would see her always ask the questions the listeners want answered at this most critical time.

The most recent JNLR figures, published in August, showed that Today with Claire Byrne was one of the most listened to radio programmes in the country with 354,000 listeners.

Meanwhile, Pat Kenny said on his show “I want to share a little bit of news with you.

“I’ve just extended my Newstalk contract into 2026 so this show will continue unchanged into the new year but in the spring of next year, I’m moving the Pat Kenny Show to the weekends, Saturday and Sunday, where I hope to make a big impact for the station."