Brendan O’Connor joins RTÉ

RTÉ today announced Brendan O’Connor as the new presenter for RTÉ Radio 1’s weekend mid-morning programme. Starting in mid March, Brendan will present a 2 hour programme on RTÉ Radio 1 from 11am-1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The programme content will be a mix of feature interviews, reflection and discussion on the issues that are making the news, including politics, travel, entertainment and current affairs. Brendan is a well-known and experienced media contributor through his regular columns for the Sunday Independent and his role as editor of Life magazine.

Presenter Brendan O’Connor said:

“After 15 years working in the Sunday Independent, I’m delighted to be joining the weekends on RTÉ Radio 1. The weekend is a time to pause, take a breath and review the week, and it’s also a time when people like a different, more reflective kind of radio, maybe even a bit of fun.

Marian’s legacy will inspire us to continue to explore, challenge and debate the issues that truly matter to Irish people. I’m looking forward to developing an informative, sparky, original and unpredictable show. I want this to be robust and enjoyable radio, always questioning and always seeking insight.”

Tom McGuire, Head of RTÉ Radio 1 said:

“The death of Marian Finucane has created a void in Radio 1 that cannot be filled. Radio 1 has taken time to reflect on the weekend schedule and I’m really pleased that Brendan O’Connor is joining us from The Sunday Independent to present the weekend mid-morning show. Brendan is a talented broadcaster who will bring his own special skills to the role and I’m sure the large audience will welcome the new programme we will present at this time.”

Brendan has been a journalist in the Sunday Independent for over 15 years and writing for them for over 25 years and will now be stepping down as Deputy Editor of the Sunday Independent and Editor of Life Magazine, but will remain as a columnist for the publication.

Over the past two decades, Brendan O’Connor has appeared on and presented several hit shows for RTÉ. He was a panellist and then presenter on Don’t Feed The Gondolas and a judge on You’re A Star. He was also the host of The Apprentice: You’re Fired on TV3. Later, he presented The Saturday Night Show on RTÉ One for five successful years and the IFTA winning Brendan O’Connor’s Cutting Edge on RTE One.

Brendan will also continue to work with RTÉ television – details of this will be announced at a further date. Brendan has worked as the late Marian Finucane’s stand-in replacement when she was on leave and most recently, he has stepped in to present her programme since she passed away in January.