LAST UPDATE | 31 Oct 2025

CLAIRE BYRNE HAS signed off on her last ever show on RTÉ Radio 1. 

Speaking on the Today With Claire Byrne Show this morning, Byrne, who is moving to weekday mornings on Newstalk, told listeners that it was “time to hand over the baton” after a “wonderful 15 years here”. 

“I wanted to say goodbye to you all because today is my last show in RTÉ,” she said.

“I just wanted to say to you that I have had the most wonderful 15 years here. I’ve had so many great opportunities and met the most inspiring people in this studio and others over the years.”

She also thanked the team behind the Today with Claire Byrne show, stating: “I could not sit in this chair and do what I do without them.”

“And to all the other incredibly talented teams I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. We’ve all worked very hard but we had great fun too.

“I can tell you that I’ve made lot of friends here in RTÉ,” she said. 

Former Prime Time and Six One News presenter David McCullagh will take over from Claire Byrne from Monday 10 November. 

Byrne finished her sign-off by reassuring listeners that McCullagh “will do an exceptional job” and that he is “going to take care of you in the years ahead”. 

“David is one of Ireland’s finest journalists and he’s a fierce nice fella, and I know he is going to take great care if you in the years ahead,” she said.

“And to you who have listened to me over the years, whether I have driven you around the twist or I have entertained you, thank you very much for your company and do take care.”

Byrne has been a prominent presenter of both TV and radio programmes at the national broadcaster for years.

She is also one of the best-paid broadcasters at RTÉ, and received a salary of €280,000 in 2023.

It was announced at the end of August that Byrne will take over from long-time presenter Pat Kenny on Newstalk mornings, while Kenny will move to a slot on the weekend schedule.