RTÉ's newsroom is likely to look a lot more sparse in the coming months as one of its hit shows is saying goodbye to another longtime presenter.
Legendary broadcaster Áine Lawlor has said goodbye to Morning Ireland, which she has been presenting since 2020. She will finish up on the show on Wednesday, alongside her co-host Mary Wilson.
The journalist won't be leaving RTÉ totally, as she will continue to present The Week in Politics and will feature across coverage of the forthcoming presidential election.
Áine revealed that she will miss the role, apart from the early hours, of course! She praised the RTÉ colleagues she worked with on Morning Ireland.
'It’s been a privilege to be part of Morning Ireland for so many years, to be a part of the programme so many listeners turn to at the start of the day,' she said.
'I’ll miss the programme (though not the hours!). I’ll miss my great Morning Ireland colleagues. I’m looking forward to covering the presidential election on TWIP.'
Áine, who joined the national broadcaster in September 1984, will miss her co-host and close pal Mary Wilson most of all. Mary, who is set to turn 65 this year, will retire from RTÉ on Wednesday after 36 years with the national broadcaster.
Mary shared a farewell statement on her final day with RTÉ and shared what hobbies she is looking forward to doing more of during her retirement - including mountain climbing and trips to Kerry!
She said: 'I know I am fortunate to be able to retire and I am looking forward to becoming a radio listener as opposed to presenter, to taking my foot off the gas a bit and indulging my many hobbies. More hillwalking, bagging another Monro (a Scottish term for climbing mountains of 1000 metres (over 3000 ft), more cooking, more trips to Kerry and above all more time with family and friends.
'It has been a privilege to present news programmes on RTÉ, to connect with listeners and to work with demanding, intelligent and dedicated colleagues who helped and challenged me every day to do better, to aim higher and to always put the listener first.'
Mary previously confirmed that it is entirely her own decision to walk away from the station, adding that it has been 'a real privilege' to work there for so many years.
'I have enjoyed every minute of every hour that I have worked in RTÉ. It has been challenging and it has been fun and it has been wonderful to connect with so many listeners and viewers when I worked on TV,' she told the Sunday Independent.
'I will miss it, but there comes a time to make way, and there is enormous talent within the organisation, and they deserve the opportunity that I have enjoyed.'
Áine took the opportunity to gush over her friend, saying: 'Most of all, I’ll miss Mary, she’s a top-notch broadcaster and a fantastic woman.'
