Rachael English, a broadcasting veteran with RTÉ, has been appointed as the successor to Bryan Dobson as the host of RTÉ Radio 1’s News at One. English’s tenure begins on July 15th, following 14 years as part of the Morning Ireland presentation team. Before joining Morning Ireland, English served as a reporter on the News at One, which was also her first experience as a relief presenter.
On her promotion, English shared her contentment at returning to the News at One, describing it as a homecoming. She also praised her Morning Ireland colleagues for making the early morning schedule more palatable and expressed excitement about collaborating with her new team.
English joined the ranks of RTÉ in 1991 as a news reader for 2FM. She later provided reporting services for Morning Ireland, the News at One, Today With Pat Kenny and RTÉ Television News, along with previously hosting The Late Debate and Saturday View. Throughout her extended broadcast career, English has covered a multitude of national and international stories, including the ratification of the Good Friday Agreement, the Olympic Games, and the 9/11 attacks.
Born in Shannon, Co Clare, English also has extensive experience in election coverage, having worked on RTÉ Radio 1’s General Election results programmes since 2002. Alongside covering local, European and presidential elections, she has also led election coverage from Belfast, London, and Washington.
RTÉ’s managing director of news and current affairs, Deirdre McCarthy, lauded English as an esteemed journalist and exceptional broadcaster.
Having recently been welcomed into the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame, Rachael English is a well-known face among our audience owing to her role in presenting Morning Ireland. In her new position, Ms English’s dedication and sincerity will continue to represent the interests of the public on the programme, according to Ms McCarthy.
Rachael’s proficiency in posing pointed questions, ensuring accountable those in positions of authority, is highly valued. Alongside this, her widespread experience in broadcasting paired with her steady, soothing, and comforting manner of speech will drive dedicated listenership each day.
In addition to her radio career, Ms English is a successful novelist with seven books to her credit, the most recent one being a top 10 bestseller titled, “Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?”. Rachael embarked on her career in the sector of broadcasting with local radio at Clare FM in Ennis and holds a degree in communications from Dublin City University.