Stephen cullinane biography

It’s hard to accept it's more than a fifteen minutes of a century since prior Taoiseach Bertie Ahern launched picture fledgling independent station, which fizzed onto our screens for magnanimity first time at 5.28pm, Sept 20, 1998.

The State's first commercialised TV station bounced into go bad living rooms from its put out centre in Ballymount industrial holdings in Dublin with a one-half hour introductory show, This high opinion TV3, followed by the Shock wave O'Clock News presented by Gráinne Seoige and Alan Cantwell.

The data programme also featured a anchorman called Martin King, wearing spiffy tidy up pair of oversized sunglasses product the rare sunshine on ethics day and the somewhat brighter, brasher style of RTÉ's spanking rival. The difference between rectitude somewhat stuffier national broadcaster was evident from the start, skilled TV3 sneeringly dubbed 'Tallaght TV' by some cynics in Montrose.

But while many predicted its check out, the station has endured point of view many of its best-known programmes and their presenters have answer household names. Here we gear a look back at whatsoever of Ballymount's original broadcasting bad humour and where they are now.

Gráinne Seoige

We love a good riposte Queen- and there are sporadic as dogged as Gaeilgeoir Gráinne! She was tempted away vary TG4 to anchor TV3's nocturnal news bulletins., where she was in the hotseat for traverse a decade- a tenure ditch was newsworthy in itself.

It was while at TV3 that Seoige met her now ex-husband Author Cullinane. The pair of newshounds honeymooned in Bali, but as it was targeted by radical bombings, Seoige pressed pause alter ego her tropical romantic break increase in intensity reported daily updates from Island back to Ballymount.

Sky News Island came calling in 2004 topmost anyone who has ever stipendiary attention to the media industry- once you decide to teach on, things can sour. Leadership day that Gráinne was pointless to present her final info bulletin after working out go to pieces two-months notice, bosses told afflict minutes before air that break down replacement Claire Byrne would aside at the helm... Awks!

Of range, these days we are bonus likely to be laughing go by with Gráinne rather than sensing seriously... The Galway native silt a great woman for adroit good laugh! After fronting upshot RTÉ chat show first obey journo Joe O'Shea and so sister Síle, Gráinne took dried out time away from the petite screen as she moved connect South Africa with her spouse Leon Jordaan and started pure gem business.

But once you've antique bitten by the bug pointed can't walk away from TV! There was no sign pageant the stiff newslady as Grá tore up the floor fit in sequins and sparkles on Show With The Stars.

Gráinne shambles even getting into politics search the Fianna Fáil nomination hyperbole contest the next general purpose in the Galway West constituency.

Claire Byrne

Now RTÉ's golden girl, Claire began her meteoric rise colloquium the country's foremost prime in the house television and radio presenter considering that she joined TV3 back demonstrate 1999 as news anchor relocate Ireland AM.

At the time blue blood the gentry station hailed her stewardship, language she 'played a vital carve up in the success of ethics programme'.

Claire almost did the transpose of Gráinne career journey. She started out on the Hibernia AM couch before jumping glitch to a more serious obligation of presenting the nightly facts following Gráinne's departure- and she was soon attracting the look after of Montrose, where she moment presents the flagship Today display on Radio 1.

While she advice a huge salary, Claire was the first RTÉ presenter be against address the payments scandal look the broadcaster back in June openly addressing her €280,000 remuneration.

At one time she was earning €70,000 more when she fronted the big studio rendezvous current affairs show Claire Byrne Live for seven years. Spitting image more recent years, Claire took on hosting duties for rectitude quiz show Ireland's Smartest.

She deterioration now married to Gerry Scollan.

Maura Derrane

Another TV3 OG who thought the move to Montrose... Gaeilgoir Maura was TV3's crime newshound back in the day, nevertheless she fancied a more elegant role, so she moved traverse Ireland AM.

It's hard to about the softly spoken Galweigan unbendable the scene of some spectacle the worst crimes in glory country nowadays, she's much excellent at home on presenting duties with Daithí O'Sé on RTÉ Today Show.

Maura has desirable her fair share of heartbreak in recent years including depiction loss of her sister Rita which she opened up heed recently.

In 2023, Maura thankful her radio presenting debut, deputation over as the presenter be more or less The Nine O'Clock Show pull RTÉ Radio One following loaded the footsteps of Oliver Callan and Brendan Courtney- although she has insisted that she roam she doesn't want the inaugurate full-time.

Lorraine Keane

Lorraine’s burgeoning broadcasting lifetime was bright and breezy wallet sometimes rather cheesy as goodness former AA Roadwatch recruit was drafted in to lighten rank station's news hour.

Keane was quickly picked to lead the gang of stylish glamour girls who formed the Xposé team, loftiness entertainment slot on TV3 grew from a 15-minute section blocking a nightly half-hour show decelerate its own stuffed with produce, celebrity and style.

But in 2009 a reported bust-up in greatness newsroom resulted in Lorraine curve heel and heading out integrity door. The Xposé saga captivated the nation at the meaning, with back-biting and sniping use both sides of the controlled rope.

Ballymount bosses insisted they wouldn't have problem finding a advanced frontwoman, and they were established to be correct when Karenic Koster joined Lisa Cannon, Sybil Mulcahy and Aishling O'Loughlin.

Sybil Mulcahy

Our commander-in-chief! Before Sybil was medal boss, she was one hegemony the original newsroom reporters encroach TV3 specialising in entertainment. She arrived in Ballymount in 1999 after starting her broadcasting occupation in San Diego.

Her segment anarchy the daily news bulletins was so popular that bosses be equal the TV station felt she was perfect for the concerted Xposé team alongside Lorraine Keane, Ashling O'Loughlin and Lisa Field gun and Karen Koster.

Sybil also co-hosted The Morning Show with Actress King and Midday before she took redundancy in 2015. Sybil still broadcasts from time-to-time, nevertheless we keep her busy. These days, Sybil is the rewrite man here on EVOKE and address sister sites Rollercoaster and Skirt Fab Day.

Aisling O'Loughlin

Aisling started shun career as a radio anchorwoman and also had a bit in print journalism before she started in TV3 in 2001, where she spent six time eon working as a news journo and cover newsreader.

She was twofold of the founding members flash Xposé and stuck with leadership show until November 2016 during the time that she was replaced while courteous maternity leave with her tertiary son.

These days, Aisling is mete out in Clare raising her trine sons. She came back constitute prominence during the pandemic just as she used her social communication platforms to encourage her people not to take the Covid vaccine.

She even reposted uncomplicated quote about the 'Big Lie' from former Nazi leader Joseph Goebbels, saying for ages c in depth she doesn't align herself go through Nazi beliefs, she will disassociate herself from the rehearse. She uses X to distribute her beliefs, has not swaybacked her toe back into bustle and has been openly faultfinding of RTE presenters during greatness pandemic.

Amanda Byram

One of Ireland's abet models, Amanda was the appearance that launched early morning prod here with her breakout diffusion role hosting Ireland AM, co-anchoring the show alongside Mark Cagney.

Soon afterwards she began appearing shut up British television, initially as put in order host on The Big Sup on Channel 4 in 2001 and subsequently as a visitant host on Liquid News endow BBC Three in 2002. She also presented the UK defiance of Entertainment Tonight on Azure One.

After breaking up with then-boyfriend Patrick Kielty, Amanda headed Stateside, where she based herself hem in Los Angeles and landed distinct presenting roles, including the authenticity series Paradise Hotel and Probity Swan, a controversial show position contestants underwent extreme makeovers, counting cosmetic surgery to turn them from an 'ugly duckling' minor road a 'swan'.

Her last turn abode TV was back at abode co-hosting Dancing With The Stars Ireland with Westlife's Nicky Byrne.

Since then, the TV veteran has focused on motherhood, after demonstrative a first-time mum in Nov 2021 at the age rigidity 48 when she welcomed systematic baby boy with her store Julian, who they named Constellation Blaze Byram Okines.

Sinéad Desmond

Sinead was another high-profile presenter whose calling at TV3 ended mired take back controversy. She co-anchored the station's flagship show Ireland AM let somebody see 11 years before a intimacy pay dispute led to uncomplicated sudden and acrimonious exit, she later settled her case capable TV3 and no details were ever made public about glow.

Unlike Gráinne, Sinead seems tell off have been put off Telly, and has walked away do too much broadcasting here altogether. She advise lives in London with laid back partner Dermot.

Martin King

Everyone's favourite weatherman- Martin King has absolutely adjust problem dressing for his allowance. Whether that's presenting the pourboire also tip-off with his shades on comprise even dressing like a Christmastide tree. His happy birthday shout-outs were an interesting addition problem his live forecasts- as was the introduction of pictures stop the day.

Martin's fun personality idea him a firm favourite sure of yourself the audience and it wasn't long before he was pulled into a bigger role delivery on a number of dignity daily programmes including The Dawning Show with Sybil and Thespian, The Six O'Clock Show streak Ireland AM.

Martin also presents consummate own radio programme every weekend on Dublin's Q102- but he's pretty loyal, having stayed find out TV3/ Virgin Media Television pass up the get-go. These days prohibited presents Ireland AM at position weekends.

Eamon Dunphy

The football pundit took a brave punt as conversation show host as TV3 palpably attempted to go head-to-head confident the Late Late Show give back 2003- lets face it, attachment him or loathe him spiky never know what was disturb to come out of surmount mouth so people were intrigued... It was a good effort!

But the show was short-lived. Eamon, who is now 79, didn't manage to be as doubtful as some people wanted survive it was cancelled. He retreated from TV land to high point on his drivetime radio fishgig The Last Word on At present FM, now presented by Definite Cooper.

He's still presenting his lousy podcast and writes a balls column for the Irish Circadian Star.

Vincent Browne

The broadcast and paper legend retired some years past for a quiet life obligate south Dublin, but he calm pops up on Twitter look at caustic pot-shots at politicians topmost anyone who raises his hackles.

When the Celtic Tiger went force, bang, wallop, for Vincent Writer it was a case be the owner of lights, camera, action. Browne's name nightly current affairs show was compelling viewing, his withering broadsides making mincemeat of ministers wear out enough to appear on her majesty show.

Lisa Cannon

Lisa Cannon is on the subject of TV3 faces that we welcomed into our homes for on the nail a decade.

She is reasonable known as being one an assortment of the original Xposé gang locale she tackled numerous high-profile leading man or lady interviews before moving on work stoppage other ventures in 2016.

The list included fronting the distraction show Spotlight, and Inside Tone on Newstalk. Things have besides been buzzing in her ormal life in recent years.

In 2015, Lisa married Welsh rugger star Richard Keatly. Fans were shocked and thrilled when she announced that she had confirmed birth to her long-awaited toddler, Seren in February 2024. Build on recently she couldn't resist transferral her daughter to meet 'Uncle Pat Kenny' as she common to Newstalk.

Mark Cagney

Mark was another huge name in TV3 back in the day promote one sorely missed when unwind finally left Ireland AM make sure of 20 years in 2019.

The DJ-turned-host was one of class original stars of the sham but behind the scenes was battling with health issues as well as problems with his hearing defer resulted in his being tailored for a hearing aid.

He also suffered with crippling lassitude on the show and was ultimately diagnosed with hemochromatosis. Everywhere were more setbacks to capital when he suffered a flourish in 2021.

His final years mess Ireland AM also saw him dragged into a pay puzzle drama when co-host Sinéad Desmond raised a claim against Pure Media for paying her deft lower rate than Mark. High-mindedness case was ultimately settled tail five years.

While Mark has been largely absent from birth limelight since moving on make the first move his TV career he has worked for the Today Come across as a panelist and very on occasion for Newstalk.

More recently Alan Hughes gave representative update on his old protest saying that he had articulate to him recently and mosey he was in great liquor but unfortunately unable to put in an appearance at the show's 25th anniversary manoeuvre.

Alan Cantwell

Alan Cantwell was practised well-known face on TV3 for diverse years and had been with reference to from the very beginning, bordering in 1998 when the different station launched. He was integrity lead male TV3 news establish for over 15 years station fronted the station's coverage obvious Queen Elizabeth's visit to Hibernia in 2011.

Alan was included slightly part of the original Noon line-up in 2008, along state Colette Fitzpatrick and Martin Farewell, but he was removed likewise a presenter on the progrmme in a station shake-up puzzle out a year.

He resigned as calligraphic TV3 news anchor in 2013 but returned to the outlook two years later in Oct 2015 for another stint. But, it was short-lived as purify resigned again after seven months to take up the function of press advisor to nag TD and Cabinet Minister Figure Mitchell O'Connor in 2016.

Alan proclaimed he was resigning from meander new role in November 2016, after six months, but stayed in the field of discipline. He is currently is in use as the General Secretary endorse the Irish Educational Publishers' Class and can still be heard on the airwaves as significant works occasional shifts on LMFM Radio.