Eileen Dunne is one of the most recognizable and respected faces in Irish broadcasting. She has been a journalist, newsreader, and presenter with RTÉ, Ireland’s national radio and television station, for over four decades. She has covered some of the most significant events in Irish and world history, as well as presenting various programs on radio and television. She has also been a leader and advocate for the profession of journalism, both nationally and internationally.
Birthday, Education
Eileen Dunne was born on 28 April 1958 (age: 65 years, as of 2023) in Dublin. She comes from a family with a strong connection to broadcasting and journalism. Her father was Mick Dunne, RTÉ’s first Gaelic Games Correspondent, who was also a columnist and commentator for the station. Her mother was Lilly Fox, who preferred to stay away from the limelight. She has younger sisters Moira and Una. She attended Manor House School, an all-girls secondary school in Raheny, where she developed an interest in languages and music. She went on to study Arts at University College Dublin, where she graduated with a degree in French and German.
Eileen Dunne Wiki/Bio
| Name | Eileen Dunne |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 April 1958 in Dublin, Ireland |
| Ethnicity | Irish |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Arts degree in French and German from University College Dublin |
| Occupation | Journalist, newsreader and presenter |
| Employer | RTÉ (1980-2022) |
| Notable credits | RTÉ News and Current Affairs, RTÉ lyric fm, The God Slot, The Works, Eurovision Song Contest |
| Awards | PPI Radio Award, IFTA Award, AEJ Award, Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Award |
| Spouse | Macdara Ó Fátharta (m. 1993) |
| Children | 1 son, Cormac |
| Social Links | Wikipedia- @Eileen_Dunne Homepage- Newsunzip |
Career in RTÉ
Eileen Dunne joined RTÉ in 1980 as a part-time radio announcer, while still working as a teacher. She soon moved to the newsroom and began presenting television news bulletins in 1984. She quickly established herself as a professional and reliable news anchor, who could handle any breaking news situation with calmness and clarity. She has anchored all the main Irish TV news programmes, including the One O’Clock News, Six One News and the Nine O’Clock News, as well as radio news bulletins on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Lyric FM. She has also been a co-anchor of the flagship Nine O’Clock News with Sharon Ní Bheoláin since 2010.
In addition to her news work, she has also presented and hosted various other programs on radio and television. She has been the presenter of the religious affairs program The God Slot on RTÉ Radio 1 since 2010, having previously presented Eileen Dunne’s Classic Melodies on RTÉ Lyric FM until 2010. She has also been a regular contributor to the arts and culture program The Works on RTÉ One. She has also been the spokesperson for giving the results of the Irish jury in the Eurovision Song Contest between 1989 and 1998.
Eileen has also been a prominent figure in RTÉ’s coverage of major state occasions and global events. She has provided commentary and analysis on the state funerals of former Taoisigh Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds, the state visits of Queen Elizabeth II and President Michael D. Higgins to the UK, the inaugurations and resignations of Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, the official state commemorations of the centenary of 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme, the visits of US Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump to Ireland, and many more. She has also reported from various locations around the world, such as Rome, London, Paris, New York, Washington DC, and Blacksod Bay.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.5 million |
| 2023 | $2 million |
| 2022 | $4-6 million |
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 ft 5 in / 165 cm
- Weight: 119 lb / 54 kg
- Eye color: Light brown
- Body measurements: 29-23-33 in
- Skin color: Fair
- Hair color: Dark brown
Achievements and Awards
Eileen Dunne has been widely recognized and acclaimed for her work in broadcasting and journalism. She has received several awards and honours, such as the PPI Radio Award for News Broadcaster of the Year in 2005, the Irish Film and Television Academy Award for Best News Presenter in 2007, the Association of European Journalists Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism in 2010, and the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Award for Media in 2011. She has also been named as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Irish Media by The Irish Times in 2014 and one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Ireland by the Irish Independent in 2016.
Eileen has also been a leader and advocate for the profession of journalism, both nationally and internationally. She has been the Secretary of the Irish section of the Association of European Journalists since 2006 and served as the International President of the association between 2010 and 2014. She has also been a Director of the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross, Co Wexford, since 2012. She has been involved in various initiatives and campaigns to promote and protect the freedom and quality of journalism, such as the World Press Freedom Day, the European Charter on Freedom of the Press, and the Safety of Journalists Network.
Personal Life and Retirement
Eileen Dunne is married to the actor Macdara Ó Fátharta, who is best known for his role as Tadhg Ó Direáin in the Irish-language soap opera Ros na Rún. They have one son, Cormac, who is in his 20s and works as a software engineer. She is fluent in French and German, as well as Irish and English. She is also a keen music lover and plays the piano and the flute. She enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.
She announced her retirement from RTÉ in November 2022, after more than 40 years on air. She said that it was a difficult decision, but that she felt it was the right time to move on to a new chapter in her life. She thanked her colleagues and viewers for their support and friendship over the years. She signed off from her final broadcast on the Nine O’Clock News on 18 November 2022, saying: “It’s been an honor and a privilege … see you on the other side.”
Eileen’s retirement was met with an outpouring of tributes and appreciation from her colleagues, peers, politicians, celebrities and the public. She was praised for her professionalism, integrity, warmth and grace, and for being a role model and inspiration for many aspiring and established journalists. She was also described as a national treasure and a legend of Irish broadcasting.
Eileen Dunne is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable and respected figures in Irish broadcasting history. She has had a long and distinguished career, spanning four decades and covering countless stories and events. She has been a trusted and familiar voice and face for millions of Irish viewers and listeners, who have relied on her for accurate and impartial news and information. She has also been a leader and advocate for the profession of journalism, both nationally and internationally. She has left a lasting legacy and impact on the Irish media landscape, and will be greatly missed by her colleagues and audiences. We wish her all the best for her future endeavours and thank her for her service and contribution to Irish broadcasting.
