Rachael English Explained

Rachael English
Birth Place:Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom
Education:Dublin City University
Occupation:Broadcaster, writer
Spouse:Eamon Quinn
Nationality:Irish
Credits:RTÉ Radio 1

Rachael English (born 1969) is an Irish broadcaster and writer. Known for presenting Five Seven Live for six years,[1] English has also presented other radio shows, such as RTÉ News at One, Today with Pat Kenny, The Marian Finucane Show and The Late Debate as well as a permanent presenter of Morning Ireland and Saturday View.

In 2011, Kim Bielenberg said in the Irish Independent that English would be "a natural replacement for Sean O'Rourke if he ever moved on".[2]

Early life

Rachael English was born in Lincolnshire, where her mother, Ruth, was raised. She grew up in Shannon[3] before going on to study Communication Studies at Dublin City University.[4] [5]

Broadcasting career

English debuted in 1989 as a presenter on a new radio station, Clare FM. She briefly worked for the public relations company owned by RTÉ broadcaster Bill O'Herlihy, then moved to RTÉ 2fm as a newsreader in August 1991. She was brought into the News at One team at Christmas that year, when no other staff were available. From there she stood in for presenters on Morning Ireland, Five Seven Live and Today with Pat Kenny.

In June 2000, she became the presenter of Five Seven Live. In her time on the programme she won the PPI award for her coverage of the September 11 attacks.[6] Her father also featured on the show, providing horse racing Cheltenham tips for her listeners.

After six years in the job, she left the programme in August 2006, and it was replaced by Mary Wilson's Drivetime.[7]

Other work in RTÉ has included election coverage on radio since 2002, the 2004 Summer Olympics, the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and other major news events, including the September 11 attacks.[8]

She presented The Late Debate on RTÉ Radio 1 until 2010, and was a substitute when Marian Finucane was not able to present her weekend radio show, The Marian Finucane Show.[9] In August 2009, it was announced she would present the programme Saturday View,[10] as 25-year presenter Rodney Rice retired.[11] She became a permanent presenter of Morning Ireland in October 2010.[12]

In 2022 she was inducted into the IMRO hall of fame.[13]

On 30 May 2024, English was announced as the new presenter of the RTÉ News at One on RTÉ Radio 1 following the retirement of Bryan Dobson.[14]

Writing career

She signed a two-book deal with Orion in 2012.[15] As at February 2022 she has written six novels.

Personal life

English is married to financial journalist Eamon Quinn.

In October 2008, she was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid (but escaped a potentially more serious diagnosis relating to the lumps found in both of her breasts shortly after the thyroid trouble began). She is on medication for the thyroid problem, possibly for the rest of her life, and has stated that at some point she plans to treat the lump she still has in her throat.

Publications

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: RTÉ Elections: About Rachael and Nick. https://archive.today/20080216103241/http://www.rte.ie/news/elections2007/aboutrn.html. dead. 16 February 2008. 2007. RTÉ. 6 June 2009.
  2. Bielenberg, Kim. "The top 10 waiting in the wings". Irish Independent. 22 October 2011.
  3. http://www.rte.ie/about/pressreleases/2010/1001/morningireland011010.html Rachael English and Aoife Kavanagh join Morning Ireland Team
  4. Web site: RTÉ Guide: Rachael English Interview. 3 March 2009. RTÉ Guide. 6 June 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100302160611/http://www.rteguide.ie/2009/0303/star.html. 2 March 2010. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: Rachael English . . . 16 October 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110423120213/http://www.rte.ie/news/morningireland/rachaelenglish.html . 23 April 2011 .
  6. Web site: Faraway Up Close Profile: Rachael English . Faraway Up Close . 6 June 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071118215707/http://www.farawayupclose.ie/series3/profile/rachael_english.htm . 18 November 2007 .
  7. News: Rachael bids an emotional farewell to drivetime show. Allison Bray. The Irish Independent. 6 June 2009. 19 August 2006.
  8. Web site: RTÉ Press Release: Rachael English to pursue new avenues at RTÉ Radio. . 2006 . RTÉ Radio . 6 June 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090414020814/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/pressreleases/1091546.html . 14 April 2009 .
  9. News: 'Joke' of presenters' summer holiday exodus comes to an end . Ken Sweeney . 31 May 2009 . The Sunday Tribune . 10 June 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090609072418/http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2009/may/31/joke-of-presenters-summer-holiday-exodus-comes-to-/ . 9 June 2009 .
  10. Web site: RTÉ Radio new season 2009 . RTÉ Radio . 17 August 2009 .
  11. Web site: Rodney Rice Retires. RTÉ Broadcaster Signs Off After 40 Years On-Air . 3 July 2009 . RTÉ . 17 August 2009 .
  12. News: New faces for Morning Ireland team . 3 October 2010 . . 1 October 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101003011219/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2010/1001/morningireland.html . 3 October 2010 .
  13. Web site: Rachael English 'honoured' to be inducted into IMRO hall of fame . www.rte.ie . 13 September 2022 . 13 September 2022 . Crowley . Sinéad .
  14. News: 'Feels like coming home' - Rachael English is new presenter of RTÉ's News at One. RTÉ News. 30 May 2024. 30 May 2024.
  15. News: Rachael English secures two-book deal . 2 November 2012 . RTÉ Ten . 2 November 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103093024/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/1102/englishr.html . 3 November 2012 .