Your Public Service Media Do Mheáin Seirbhíse Poiblí

In an email to RTÉ staff this evening, RTÉ Director General stated as follows:

Dear colleagues,

RTÉ’s VEP 2025 is now closed. I can confirm that we received a total of 325 applications.

As you know, this VEP comprises a Voluntary Severance (VS) and Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) scheme and was open to employees who will have completed at least two years’ continuous service on the date their employment ceases.

Applications will be approved only where a robust business case is made, and it is confirmed that the role can be suppressed or that equivalent savings can be made by suppressing an alternative post and/or redeploying an employee into that role.

Applicants can choose to accept or decline an offer of VS or VER.

Where decisions are straightforward and approved by RTÉ’s Leadership Team and the RTÉ Board’s Remuneration and Management Committee, we will make every effort to allow these people leave the organisation as early as is practical, without unduly impacting our operations.

All applications will go through a five-stage review process throughout the coming months, as previously outlined, with final decisions on all applications being made by the Leadership Team and final oversight by the RTÉ Board’s Remuneration and Management Committee.

Review of applications has already commenced.

While there may be exceptions, communication of final decisions will commence from 1st September, with exits of successful applicants taking place on 31st October, 30th November and 31st December.

Thanks,
Kevin

KEVIN BAKHURST
DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Featuring guest writers Edel Coffey, Mike McCormack, Sinéad Moriarty, Dave Rudden, Caoilinn Hughes, Lucy Caldwell, Belinda McKeon and Wendy Erskine

Sunday 25 May at 7.30pm on RTÉ Radio 1 

In line with the published New Direction strategy, RTÉ has launched a commissioning process that will see all Christian Worship content on RTÉ’s video platforms produced in the Irish independent sector.

RTÉ’s Managing Editor, Video and Director of Content, Seán Mac Giolla Phádraig says: “Advances in technology mean that it is now possible to broadcast Masses and Services cost-effectively from a variety of churches nationwide, enabling RTÉ to shift production of this important content from the current Donnybrook studio base into authentic congregational worship settings across the 32 counties of Ireland, without any diminution in technical or editorial quality.”

This move is in line with three key elements of RTÉ’s New Direction Strategy:

• Increased regional representation
• Increased commissioning from the independent sector
• Harnessing new technology to deliver high quality content cost-effectively

Following a fair and rigorous tendering process, it is anticipated that all Christian Worship content on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player will be produced independently from the start of 2026, delivered in partnership with Ireland’s major denominations from a number of designated “hub” churches, using semi-permanent lighting, camera and sound rigs and web-based delivery systems, based on production models already successfully pioneered by other European broadcasters.

Roger Childs, RTÉ’s Commissioning Editor of Religious Content, said: “RTÉ remains fully committed to broadcasting a broad range of Christian worship content, reflecting the diversity of denominations and styles of worship across the 32 counties of Ireland in the long term. Masses, Services or other forms of Christian worship will continue to be broadcast every Sunday and on key Christian holidays: St Patrick’s Day, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. RTÉ will also continue to work in partnership with other European broadcasters, sharing top quality Masses and Services from across the Continent in a free exchange programme that has, in recent months, seen the station broadcast spectacular events such as the Re-inauguration Mass in the newly restored Cathèdrale de Notre Dame de Paris, in December 2024, and the coverage of the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in April 2025.

“Studio-based production of Worship Content has served RTÉ audiences well for many years, with expert in-house teams working with amateur groups from all corners of Ireland to deliver diverse and high quality Masses and Services to viewers and listeners, including many who are physically unable to attend church. However, the current production model requires groups to travel often long distances to Montrose and the studio’s limited capacity only allows for a small representative presence from each featured parish or school group. In contrast, broadcasting from “hub” churches in each region will enable RTÉ to feature authentic congregational worship in those areas.”

Working with the Commissioning Editor of Religious Content, the successful company will be responsible for maintaining high editorial standards and ensuring that RTÉ consistently broadcasts top-quality programming, whatever the featured denomination or group. Diversity, equality and inclusion remain key elements in RTÉ’s Worship programmes, as do sustainable production methods. The final commissioning decision will be based on a rigorous technical and editorial assessment and proven cost-effectiveness of the chosen proposal.

RTÉ’s televised Christian worship is just one element of a broad slate of content reflecting the beliefs, behaviour and values of people of many faiths and none in today’s Ireland, on TV, Radio and Online.

ENDS

For information:
Neil O’Gorman | Corporate Communications Manager | E: neil.ogorman@rte.ie

RTÉ’s Today show, in conjunction with Ireland’s oldest publishing house – Mercier Press, have announced Ireland’s newest published author. Rebecca Murphy from Co. Wicklow is the first winner of the Today show / Mercier Press new novelist competition 2025. Her manuscript Blood and Water wowed the Mercier Press judges with its engrossing plot, real characters and poignant ending.

This exciting new competition was opened in January offering one viewer the chance to become a published author. The competition was open to all first-time novelists who could submit a full manuscript of their new unpublished work. The competition proved very popular attracting over 600 entries with the overall winner offered a publishing deal.

Rebecca works as a mental health practitioner and has been writing regularly for over 10 years. This is Rebecca’s second success entering RTÉ writing competitions as she has also had a short story published in an RTÉ Book Show anthology. She was a recipient of a Faber Academy scholarship and completed the Academy’s ‘Finish Your Draft’ online course in 2024. This will be her first published novel. Rebecca who’s originally from Cork lives in the garden of Ireland, Wicklow with her wife and two dogs.

A Mercier Press editor will now work with the winning author on the manuscript with the book getting a published-on-demand deal and available in all bookshops nationwide by the end of the year.

Rebecca Murphy- winning author Blood & Water said; ‘’I’m so surprised and delighted to be the winner of the Today Show Mercier Press Novel competition. I’ve been working on Blood and Water for over 4 years now and it’s a piece of work I’m really proud of. I’m excited for it to get out into the world to be read and enjoyed by others.’’

Dee Collins, Head of Books at Mercier Press said; ‘’We were delighted to host this competition with RTÉ’s Today show. The judges had a difficult time selecting the winner as the writing was of a very high standard. Rebecca Murphy’s Blood and Water grabbed the judges and wouldn’t let go. Rebecca is a deserving winner of the novel competition. It showcases exceptional literary craftsmanship that captivates judges and readers alike. The novel triumphs through its masterful integration of character, theme, and narrative technique. At the heart of the novel’s success is its protagonist Susan, whose journey through grief, identity, and healing resonates with profound emotional authenticity.  Murphy doesn’t give us a saint – she gives us a broken human being who makes terrible choices while trying to outrun her grief. What elevates this novel is how Murphy weaves together past and present. The writing shines with authentic dialogue and vivid descriptions without becoming showy or pretentious. Murphy knows when to pull back, letting readers feel the emotional weight of a scene without being told how to feel. Blood and Water won because it does what great fiction should – it tells a deeply specific story that somehow feels universal, reminding us that the hardest person to forgive is often ourselves.’’

Colm Crowley, Head of RTÉ Cork, said; ‘’The Today Show is delighted to take part in the search for hopefully Ireland’s newest bestselling author. I want to compliment Mercier Press for helping The Today show create this fantastic opportunity for our viewers. Creativity and storytelling are what we Irish do brilliantly and I have no doubt we will discover a new voice in Irish fiction with this competition.’’ 

Dáithí Ó Se, Presenter, Today show said; ‘’It was a great privilege to be a part of this literary journey from the very beginning. This competition not only delivered an amazing book but also gives us a fantastic insight into what people are reading at the moment.  We were looking for contemporary fiction and Rebecca really has delivered with this winning first novel – Blood & Water. The volume of entries shows that Ireland is still very much a nation of great writers and artists with entries from all ages and all corners of the Island.  I wish her every success with this – her first, and all future works.’’

Rebecca will appear back in studio in the new season of Today later in the year to showcase her finished novel and update viewers on how it feels to be a published author.

-ENDS- 

Date: 22 May 2025

RTÉ Communications: Tara O’Leary

Notes to Editor:

Blood & Water – Rebecca Murphy Book Synopsis
Winner of the Mercier Press / RTÉ Today show new novelist competition 2025.

At the novel’s core is Susan, a woman we can’t help but root for despite her messiness. After suffering a devastating personal loss, she flees to her ancestral island off the Irish coast, abandoning her wife Jen and their life together. The island setting is masterfully rendered – a character in its own right that both shelters and challenges Susan. Murphy captures the rugged beauty of her remote outpost with all its contrasts: golden beaches, jagged cliffs, warm pub gatherings, Atlantic storms, and the intimate interconnectedness of island life set against the vast, indifferent sea.

What elevates this novel is how Murphy weaves together past and present, uncovering family secrets that have shaped generations. As Susan explores her uncle’s journals and speaks with islanders who remember her family, she discovers connections to her own struggles that she never anticipated. Will Susan find healing on this island, or will she be consumed by the same patterns that trapped her ancestors?

Prime Time speaks to Charleen Murphy, an influencer whose online harassment turned into a real-world attack

Tonight, Prime Time hosts a special programme focusing on the impact on young Irish people of online influencers who promote a negative form of masculinity.

The programme will reveal research carried out over the last number of months by RTÉ journalists Kate McDonald and Jack McCarron, as well as current insights from teachers, experts, and individuals who have been personally affected.

Among those featured is Charleen Murphy, an Irish lifestyle influencer who explains the real-world impact. In an interview in Thursday night’s programme, Charleen recounts how she was attacked in a Dublin restaurant by a man who had previously repeatedly messaged her on social media, “I just felt this blow to the back of my head, my head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered…”

“I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was… He had been messaging me in the past online,” she told RTÉ journalist Kate McDonald.

Charleen says the experience is part of a larger pattern of online abuse she has encountered over years. Ms Murphy has made a career from sharing her life online, posting lifestyle content across her social media accounts. “When I came out with the story that time, people said, ‘You’re not a real victim.’ They downplay your pain or trauma,” Charleen said. “You don’t have to have something worse than someone else to still have gone through something bad.”

The programme explores how online narratives are increasingly shaping young people’s views on gender roles in society, something Charleen has also noticed. “It’s happening much younger,” she says. “People have these words and this information so young. Their brains are being shaped by it all. It’s scary. I’m scared for the younger generation.”

In her interview Charleen Murphy provides a personal account of how online misogyny is not just digital and has a larger impact, “People think it’s just a comment. But kids are reading that. That’s saying to them, ‘It’s okay for me to post this too.’ All the little things turn into the big things.”

Accompanying the programme, there are a series of online articles explaining and examining why young men may become interested in certain types of masculinity influencers, what an incel is, what teachers are seeing in schools, and looking at the wider social impact of these online narratives. Available at RTE.ie/PrimeTime.

Watch the full programme on Prime Time tonight May 22, at 9:35pm RTÉ One and RTÉ Player and read the detailed online reports on RTE.ie/primetime.

-ENDS- 

Date: 22 May 2025

RTÉ Communications: Sharon Sorohan

Notes to Editor: 
Prime Time broadcasts Tuesday and Thursdays at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and stream on RTÉ Player.
You can read special reports from the Prime Time team on rte.ie/primetime
Follow @RTE_PrimeTime on X/Twitter for regular content, #rtept

RTÉ is pleased to announce the appointment of Eleanor O’Shaughnessy as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer (CRCO), following a public competition. Eleanor brings over 20 years of experience in risk management and compliance to RTÉ, having worked at a senior level both as an internal leader and, previously, as an external consultant for international banks and other large organisations. As Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Eleanor will be part of RTÉ’s Leadership Team.

In her new role, Eleanor will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive risk management and compliance framework to ensure RTÉ operates within legal and regulatory requirements while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. She will lead RTÉ’s risk management and compliance functions, establishing effective systems and frameworks for the identification, management, mitigation, monitoring, reporting, and escalation of risk and compliance matters to RTÉ’s Leadership Team and the RTÉ Board.

Eleanor is currently Director of Risk and Compliance with Primark and has previously held senior risk management roles with Paddy Power Betfair/Flutter Entertainment Group plc, Deutsche Bank (London), and as a consultant with KPMG Dublin, Accenture London and Deloitte London.

Her extensive expertise and leadership skills will significantly contribute to strengthening RTÉ’s risk and compliance culture, helping, along with the Leadership Team, to ensure robust governance, and supporting RTÉ’s strategic objectives.

Eleanor holds a Masters Degree from Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, and a Bachelor of Commerce with French from University College Dublin.

Eleanor will join RTÉ later this summer.

ENDS

Note to Editor: The role of Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at RTÉ was among key proposals included in last year’s Expert Advisory Committee Reports commissioned by the Government.

For information:
Neil O’Gorman | Corporate Communications Manager, RTÉ | E: neil.ogorman@rte.ie

RTÉ is today publishing a statistical summary from the Register of External Activities for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The RTÉ Register of External Activities (‘the Register’) commenced on 01 February 2024 and the publication for Q4 comprises the months October, November and December 2024.

Statistical summary: 

Total Number of approved activities: 116

Breakdown of percentage (*) activities within each payment band:

• 52%: No Payment/no benefit
• 31%: €1 – €1,000
• 16%: €1,001 – €5,000
• 0:  €5,001 – €10,000
• <1%: Over €10,000

* (% are rounded)

The Q4 data from the Register is consistent with Q1, Q2 and Q3 where half of all external activities approved by line management divisions involve no payment or benefit to those working with RTÉ.

Almost one third of approved external activities in Q4 are for less than €1,000, with just over 16% in the €1,001 – €5,000 band, none in the next band and less than 1% in the over €10,000 band.

RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst commented: “RTÉ has now published a statistical summary for the Register of External Activities for each of the four quarters of 2024.

It is a matter of public record that the Data Protection Commission informed RTÉ that specific legislation would be required to publish a more detailed summary of the Register. That is now being considered by Government.

In the interim, the Data Protection Commission has not objected to RTÉ publishing a statistical summary of activities in the banded system. I am satisfied that this, albeit limited disclosure, has nonetheless provided a level of public transparency that was never previously available.

It is notable that the data for the full year of 2024 demonstrate that half the approved activities relate to events where those working with RTÉ give freely of their time for charitable, sporting, community, academic and social reasons. Most activities are for less than €1,000.“

ENDS

Ballyduff Drama Group from Co. Waterford Scoops Top Award in 2025 RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival 

Ballyduff Drama Group, directed by Ger Canning, were crowned RTÉ All-Ireland Drama champions for their performance of ‘The Blackwater Lightship’ by Colm Tóibín, adapted for stage by David Horan, at the Gala Awards ceremony in Athlone’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday 17th May, hosted by Nuala Carey and Simon Delaney, as the curtains came down on the 2025 RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival. The festival is held under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI).

Balally Players, directed by Declan Rudden, who performed ‘Ulster American’ by David Ireland, were placed second, and, Bridge Drama, directed by Susan Somers, who performed ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens, were placed third.

Mark O’Brien, Executive Director of the Abbey Theatre said they were delighted to continue the partnership with the festival. He announced that after much deliberation the winner of the Abbey Award for 2025 are Balally Players who presented ‘Ulster American’ and that the Abbey looked forward to hosting the group in the Peacock in a number of weeks.

There was great excitement when the results were announced. No strangers to Athlone, Ballyduff Drama Group has been performing on the 3 Act circuit for over forty years. During that time, they won the All-Ireland in 2004, and more recently this is their third time to win in four years (2022, 2024). ‘The Blackwater Lightship’ is set in 1990s Ireland and HIV/AIDS is still a terminal diagnosis. A sister, a mother and a grandmother, along with two friends, have come together to tend to 29-year-old Declan, who has the disease. Can this makeshift family unit face up to the illness and each other?

Director Ger Canning also won the Best Director award. In addition, Mary Colbert, playing Dora Devereux won the award for best actress, and Ronan Bennett as Larry took home the award for best actor in a supporting role. Ballyduff also won the award for best stage setting.

Other award winners

Other award winners included, Cillian Tobin, Bridge Drama, who took home the best actor award for his role as Christopher Boone in ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’. Catherine Stafford, Ballycogley Players, received the award for the best actress in a supporting role for her portrayal of Maggie in ‘Lend Me A Tenor’. The award for best stage management award went to Mary O’Connor, Bridge Drama, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ and the award for best stage lighting went to Mark Redmond, Bridge Drama. Emma Walsh, Brideview Drama Group, won the Adjudicator’s prize for Valerie’s speech in ‘The Weir’. The Drama League of Ireland (DLI) Summer School Scholarship went to Sarah Smith, Newpoint Players for her role as the dummy in ‘Ghetto’.

New Festival Director

New festival Director, Michael McGlone, remarked that it was a privilege for him to take on the role which comes with a massive responsibility to ensure the high standards are maintained and that finalists coming to Athlone have a rewarding experience. He thanked his committee for their contribution: “This year’s festival is extra special because thanks to the team in RTÉ our awards ceremony was live streamed by RTÉ. This will no doubt open up a whole new audience to the ceremony and remind everyone that amateur drama is going from strength to strength.”

Adjudicator Walker Ewart ADA

Adjudicator Walker Ewart has a wealth of experience in all aspects of amateur drama since the age of 14. He was awarded an O.B.E. for ‘services to education’ in 2012 on his retirement. He is fully aware of the efforts made by the huge team of volunteers in any production. He says he has basked in, and suffered, adjudications as an actor and director and understands the sensitivities of groups who have been preparing their work for many months. He deems it an honour to adjudicate his peers in any festival. It is, however, “a particular honour, and an awesome responsibility, to adjudicate Athlone for the third time”. During the week he pronounced to the audience that it was ‘a great day to be alive’ after seeing many of the performances.

Adjudicators comments on winners

Commenting on the play, Walker noted that Ballyduff Drama Group “presented a well-nigh perfect production of the Blackwater Lightship. A wonderful lived-in house, inhabited by a totally believable set of characters. The audience was drawn into the bewilderment and the tensions as the characters faced the unexpected and shocking news of the illness of a loved one. The acting was of a consistently high standard, in the majority of cases excellent portrayals. The friends who rallied round to help Declan in his suffering cared deeply for him. The final goodbye was a very moving piece of theatre. In the end, those of us who were privileged to look into this world cared for these characters. An unforgettable production.”

The plays featured in this year’s final included several amateur premieres, several adaptations for stage, a premiere of an Irish adaptation of a play. While Athlone basked in the sun, the festival audiences experienced many emotions ranging from laughing till their jaws hurt to being deeply moved and even shocked during the festival. They reported that the festival was of a particularly high standard. Excitement built over the festival in anticipation of the RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival Gala Awards which for the first time ever, were streamed live on RTÉ Culture.

ENDS

For information:

Majella O’Dea, RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival | majellaodea@gmail.com

Neil O’Gorman, Corporate Communications Manager, RTÉ | neil.ogorman@rte.ie

Award Categories:

RTÉ Perpetual Trophy to the Overall Winner – Ballyduff Drama Group who presented ‘The Blackwater Lightship’ by Colm Tóibín, adapted for stage by David Horan.

Best Director – Ger Canning, Ballyduff Drama Group

Best Actor – Cillian Tobin as Christopher Boone in ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’, Bridge Drama

Best Actress – Mary Colbert, as Dora Devereux in ‘The Blackwater Lightship’, Ballyduff Drama Group

Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Ronan Bennett as Larry in ‘The Blackwater Lightship’, Ballyduff Drama Group

Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Catherine Stafford as Maggie in ‘Lend Me A Tenor’, Ballycogley Players

Best Stage Management – Mary O’Connor, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’, Bridge Drama

Best Stage Lighting – Mark Redmond, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’, Bridge Drama

Best Stage Setting – ‘The Blackwater Lightship’, Ballyduff Drama Group

Adjudicator Award – Emma Walsh for Valerie’s speech in ‘The Weir’, Brideview Drama Group

Drama League of Ireland (DLI) Summer School Scholarship – Sarah Smith as Dummy in ‘Ghetto’, Newpoint Players

The Abbey Theatre Award – Balally Players who presented ‘Ulster American’

The Football Association of Ireland and RTÉ have today announced a new two-year broadcast agreement for the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup.

RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player will show six games in the 2025 competition for the first time and seven fixtures in the 2026 edition.

2025’s coverage will begin in the Third Round followed by two Quarter-Finals, both Semi-Finals and the Final at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, November 9 capturing the magic of the Cup right the way through.

The 2026 competition will then see RTÉ broadcast from the Second Round all of the way to the Final including the Third Round, two Quarter-Finals, both Semi-Finals and the Final.

RTÉ cameras where there last year to see a memorable triumph when Drogheda United beat Derry City in the 2024 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Final and this year’s Second Round draw will take place on Thursday, June 5.

The Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round kicked off last weekend when Castlebar Celtic defeated North End United with the rest of the First Round ties to take place on the week ending 18 May.

Sean Kavanagh, Commercial Director, FAI, said: “We’re delighted to announce this fantastic new broadcast agreement with RTÉ which will ensure the best ever coverage of Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup continuing their excellent coverage of domestic football. As the League of Ireland goes from strength to strength, 2025 is set to the be the biggest year ever for the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup and having coverage this year from the Third Round will help us tell the story even better with RTÉ2 & RTÉ Player television. RTÉ have a long history with the League of Ireland and Men’s FAI Cup as the Final has become a standout moment of the Irish sporting calendar which is set to continue with the help of their coverage over the next two years. With huge crowds at the Aviva Stadium over recent years, this broadcast agreement will ensure that the magic of the Cup will continue to be compelling viewing for the Irish public over the next two years.”

Declan McBennett, Group Head of Sport, RTÉ, said: “The Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup has always proven to be the biggest draw of the domestic soccer season culminating in so many dramatic finals in recent seasons. The magic of the Cup prevails and we are delighted that our extended coverage and high quality production standards will capture those moments for clubs and supporters alike.”

ENDS 

Notes to Editor

2025 fixtures to be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

· One Third Round fixture on the week ending Sunday, 17 August 2025

· Two Quarter-Final fixtures on the week ending Sunday, 14 September 2025

· Two Semi-Final fixtures on the week ending Sunday, 5 October 2025

· The Final on Sunday, November 9 2025

Image caption – 15 May 2025; The Football Association of Ireland and RTÉ have today announced a new two-year broadcast agreement for the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup. RTÉ2 will show six games in the 2025 competition for the first time and seven fixtures in the 2026 edition. In attendance, from left, are RTÉ sports presenter Peter Collins, League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon, RTÉ Soccer Corresponent Tony O’Donoghue and FAI Commercial Director Sean Kavanagh at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Date: Thursday May 15 2025

RTÉ Communications:  Fergus McCormack