CLAIRE BYRNE TAKES up her new role at Newstalk this morning.

After announcing her departure from RTÉ Radio 1 last August, Byrne presented her last show with the national broadcaster on 31 October. 

Passing the baton to David McCullagh, Byrne said she “had the most wonderful 15 years here”.

There are changes across Newstalk’s schedule, which they announced in December.

Byrne, who co-presented the breakfast show at the station back in the late 2000s, is moving to Pat Kenny’s 9am to 12pm weekday slot with Kenny due to take up Anton Savage’s weekend slots from March. 

From today with Savage will be on hosting duties on Newstalk Breakfast while Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman move to the Hard Shoulder drivetime slot.

Kieran Cuddihy hosted The Hard Shoulder from 2020 to October of this year when he announced his move to RTÉ to replace Joe Duffy as host of Liveline. Savage will be the first solo presenter in of the breakfast show in over two decades.

The rest of Newstalk’s main schedule remains the same with Andrea Gilligan at helm of 12-2 slot Lunchtime Live, Sean Moncrieff presenting his magazine show from 2 to 4pm and Off The Ball broadcasting 7-9pm. 

Byrne appeared on The Late Late Show in January to talk about her decision to leave RTÉ and rejoin Newstalk. She said that turning 50 last summer and an upcoming pay cut at RTÉ were factors contributing to the move.

She said she’s excited for the challenge of the new gig and described Kenny as “an absolute icon”.

“He’s such a generous colleague, and it is intimidating taking over his slot, but it’ll be a whole new show, and I’m really excited to get going.”