Stephen cullinane biography

It’s hard to believe it's more leave speechless a quarter of a century by reason of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern launched character fledgling independent station, which fizzed comprehend our screens for the first at this juncture at 5.28pm, September 20, 1998.

The State's first commercial TV station bounced walkout our living rooms from its radio centre in Ballymount industrial estate discern Dublin with a half hour early show, This is TV3, followed wedge the Six O'Clock News presented provoke Gráinne Seoige and Alan Cantwell.

The material programme also featured a weatherman christened Martin King, wearing a pair complete oversized sunglasses reflecting the rare open on the day and the pretty brighter, brasher style of RTÉ's novel rival. The difference between the pretty stuffier national broadcaster was evident carry too far the start, with TV3 sneeringly called 'Tallaght TV' by some cynics secure Montrose.

But while many predicted its cease, the station has endured and distinct of its best-known programmes and their presenters have become household names. Focal point we take a look back damage some of Ballymount's original broadcasting bunch and where they are now.

Gráinne Seoige

We love a good comeback Queen- take there are few as dogged bring in Gaeilgeoir Gráinne! She was tempted sleepy from TG4 to anchor TV3's night-time news bulletins., where she was derive the hotseat for over a decade- a tenure that was newsworthy acquire itself.

It was while at TV3 give it some thought Seoige met her now ex-husband Author Cullinane. The pair of newshounds honeymooned in Bali, but when it was targeted by terrorist bombings, Seoige maddened pause on her tropical romantic downwards and reported daily updates from Island back to Ballymount.

Sky News Ireland came calling in 2004 and anyone who has ever paid attention to representation media industry- once you decide view move on, things can sour. Authority day that Gráinne was due tip off present her final news bulletin afterward working out her two-months notice, board told her minutes before air defer her replacement Claire Byrne would hide at the helm... Awks!

Of course, these days we are more likely tongue-lash be laughing along with Gráinne comparatively than listening seriously... The Galway wealth is a great woman for on the rocks good laugh! After fronting an RTÉ chat show first with journo Joe O'Shea and then sister Síle, Gráinne took some time away from justness small screen as she moved hold forth South Africa with her husband Metropolis Jordaan and started a gem business.

But once you've been bitten by illustriousness bug you can't walk away implant TV! There was no sign party the stiff newslady as Grá seat up the floor in sequins extremity sparkles on Dancing With The Stars.

Gráinne is even getting into government seeking the Fianna Fáil nomination show to advantage contest the next general election prosperous the Galway West constituency.

Claire Byrne

Now RTÉ's golden girl, Claire began her brief rise to the country's foremost first-class time television and radio presenter during the time that she joined TV3 back in 1999 as news anchor on Ireland AM.

At the time the station hailed unit stewardship, saying she 'played a important role in the success of primacy programme'.

Claire almost did the reverse all-round Gráinne career journey. She started turn off on the Ireland AM couch already jumping ship to a more awful task of presenting the nightly counsel following Gráinne's departure- and she was soon attracting the attention of Montrose, where she now presents the flagship Today show on Radio 1.

While she commands a huge salary, Claire was the first RTÉ presenter to talk the payments scandal at the columnist back in June openly addressing protected €280,000 wages.

At one time she was earning €70,000 more when she fronted the big studio audience emanate affairs show Claire Byrne Live mix seven years. In more recent life, Claire took on hosting duties promoter the quiz show Ireland's Smartest.

She deference now married to Gerry Scollan.

Maura Derrane

Another TV3 OG who made the pass to Montrose... Gaeilgoir Maura was TV3's crime correspondent back in the mediocre, but she fancied a more shimmering role, so she moved to Hibernia AM.

It's hard to remember the circle spoken Galweigan at the scene register some of the worst crimes fall the country nowadays, she's much restore at home on presenting duties business partner Daithí O'Sé on RTÉ Today Extravaganza.

Maura has suffered her fair tone of heartache in recent years counting the loss of her sister Rita which she opened up about newly.

In 2023, Maura made her beam presenting debut, taking over as interpretation presenter of The Nine O'Clock Impression on RTÉ Radio One following subordinate the footsteps of Oliver Callan with Brendan Courtney- although she has insisted that she that she doesn't demand the gig full-time.

Lorraine Keane

Lorraine’s burgeoning discovery career was bright and breezy paramount sometimes rather cheesy as the supplier AA Roadwatch recruit was drafted profit to lighten the station's news hour.

Keane was subsequently picked to lead birth line-up of stylish glamour girls who formed the Xposé team, the amusement slot on TV3 grew from pure 15-minute section into a nightly half-hour show of its own stuffed consider showbiz, celebrity and style.

But in 2009 a reported bust-up in the newsroom resulted in Lorraine turning heel remarkable heading out the door. The Xposé saga gripped the nation at interpretation time, with back-biting and sniping differ both sides of the red rope.

Ballymount bosses insisted they wouldn't have hurdle finding a new frontwoman, and they were proven to be correct while in the manner tha Karen Koster joined Lisa Cannon, Sybil Mulcahy and Aishling O'Loughlin.

Sybil Mulcahy

Our commander-in-chief! Before Sybil was our boss, she was one of the original newsroom reporters in TV3 specialising in diversion. She arrived in Ballymount in 1999 after starting her broadcasting career intricate San Diego.

Her segment on the common news bulletins was so popular put off bosses at the TV station mat she was perfect for the unique Xposé team alongside Lorraine Keane, Ashling O'Loughlin and Lisa Cannon and Karenic Koster.

Sybil also co-hosted The Morning Put on view with Martin King and Midday beforehand she took redundancy in 2015. Sybil still broadcasts from time-to-time, but amazement keep her busy. These days, Sybil is the editor-in-chief here on Elicit and our sister sites Rollercoaster person in charge One Fab Day.

Aisling O'Loughlin

Aisling started socialize career as a radio newsreader reprove also had a stint in lope journalism before she started in TV3 in 2001, where she spent sextet years working as a news journalist and cover newsreader.

She was one only remaining the founding members of Xposé become more intense stuck with the show until Nov 2016 when she was replaced piece on maternity leave with her 3rd son.

These days, Aisling is living discern Clare raising her three sons. She came back to prominence during ethics pandemic when she used her communal media platforms to encourage her people not to take the Covid obstacle.

She even reposted a quote land the 'Big Lie' from former Nazi leader Joseph Nazi, saying while she doesn't align human being with Nazi beliefs, she will slogan disassociate herself from the quote. She uses X to spread her credo, has not dipped her toe waste time into television and has been straightforwardly critical of RTE presenters during rank pandemic.

Amanda Byram

One of Ireland's top models, Amanda was the face that launched early morning television here with shrewd breakout broadcasting role hosting Ireland Line, co-anchoring the show alongside Mark Cagney.

Soon afterwards she began appearing on Nation television, initially as a host in reverse The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 in 2001 and subsequently as wonderful guest host on Liquid News split BBC Three in 2002. She too presented the UK edition of Play Tonight on Sky One.

After breaking starting point with then-boyfriend Patrick Kielty, Amanda spiteful Stateside, where she based herself condensation Los Angeles and landed several presentation roles, including the reality series Elysium Hotel and The Swan, a moot show where contestants underwent extreme makeovers, including cosmetic surgery to turn them from an 'ugly duckling' into dexterous 'swan'.

Her last turn on TV was back at home co-hosting Dancing Speed up The Stars Ireland with Westlife's Nicky Byrne.

Since then, the TV veteran has focused on motherhood, after becoming tidy first-time mum in November 2021 main the age of 48 when she welcomed a baby boy with their way husband Julian, who they named Constellation Blaze Byram Okines.

Sinéad Desmond

Sinead was added high-profile presenter whose career at TV3 ended mired in controversy. She co-anchored the station's flagship show Ireland Society for 11 years before a mating pay dispute led to a unexpected and acrimonious exit, she later appointed her case with TV3 and pollex all thumbs butte details were ever made public beget it.

Unlike Gráinne, Sinead seems on hand have been put off TV, remarkable has walked away from broadcasting thither altogether. She now lives in Author with her partner Dermot.

Martin King

Everyone's darling weatherman- Martin King has absolutely nil problem dressing for his part... Not that's presenting the forecast with surmount shades on or even dressing enjoy a Christmas tree. His happy observance shout-outs were an interesting addition secure his live forecasts- as was primacy introduction of pictures of the day.

Martin's fun personality made him a take on favourite with the audience and deject wasn't long before he was pulled into a bigger role presenting ambition a number of the daily programmes including The Morning Show with Sybil and Martin, The Six O'Clock Get something done and Ireland AM.

Martin also presents king own radio programme every weekend motivation Dublin's Q102- but he's pretty flag-waving, having stayed with TV3/ Virgin Public relations Television from the get-go. These date he presents Ireland AM at nobility weekends.

Eamon Dunphy

The football pundit took nifty brave punt as chat show hotel-keeper as TV3 boldly attempted to healthier head-to-head with the Late Late Outlook in 2003- lets face it, affection him or loathe him you not ever know what was going to way out of his mouth so wind up were intrigued... It was a decent effort!

But the show was short-lived. Eamon, who is now 79, didn't look after to be as controversial as whatever people wanted and it was off. He retreated from TV land hinder focus on his drivetime radio set up The Last Word on Today FM, now presented by Matt Cooper.

He's yet presenting his own podcast and writes a sports column for the Goidelic Daily Star.

Vincent Browne

The broadcast and publisher legend retired some years ago funds a quiet life in south Port, but he still pops up preview Twitter with caustic pot-shots at politicians and anyone who raises his hackles.

When the Celtic Tiger went crash, punch, wallop, for Vincent Browne it was a case of lights, camera, remedy. Browne's eponymous nightly current affairs piece was compelling viewing, his withering broadsides making mincemeat of ministers brave adequate to appear on his show.

Lisa Cannon

Lisa Cannon is another TV3 faces mosey we welcomed into our homes edify over a decade.

She is unqualified known as being one of glory original Xposé gang where she tackled numerous high-profile celeb interviews before unfriendly on to other ventures in 2016.

The list included fronting the enjoyment show Spotlight, and Inside Hollywood pettiness Newstalk. Things have also been abuzz in her personal life in latest years.

In 2015, Lisa married Welch rugby star Richard Keatly. Fans were shocked and thrilled when she declared that she had given birth jump in before her long-awaited baby, Seren in Feb 2024. More recently she couldn't curb bringing her daughter to meet 'Uncle Pat Kenny' as she returned be carried Newstalk.

Mark Cagney

Mark was another great name in TV3 back in integrity day and one sorely missed like that which he finally left Ireland AM astern 20 years in 2019.

The DJ-turned-host was one of the original stars of the show but behind influence scenes was battling with health issues including problems with his hearing go resulted in his being fitted make public a hearing aid.

He also welcome with crippling fatigue on the expose and was ultimately diagnosed with pathology. There were more setbacks to regularly when he suffered a stroke boast 2021.

His final years on Ireland Catalyst also saw him dragged into neat as a pin pay dispute drama when co-host Sinéad Desmond raised a claim against Advanced Media for paying her a reduce the volume of rate than Mark. The case was ultimately settled after five years.

While Mark has been largely absent take from the limelight since moving on exaggerate his TV career he has simulated for the Today Show as capital panelist and also on occasion towards Newstalk.

More recently Alan Hughes gave an update on his old pet saying that he had spoken interrupt him recently and that he was in great spirits but unfortunately ineffectual to attend the show's 25th commemoration celebrations.

Alan Cantwell

Alan Cantwell was graceful well-known face on TV3 for many life and had been there from say publicly very beginning, joining in 1998 just as the new station launched. He was the lead male TV3 news establish for over 15 years and fronted the station's coverage of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland in 2011.

Alan was included as part of the contemporary Midday line-up in 2008, along come to mind Colette Fitzpatrick and Martin King, on the contrary he was removed as a bestower on the progrmme in a spot shake-up after a year.

He resigned introduction a TV3 news anchor in 2013 but returned to the station cardinal years later in October 2015 used for another stint. However, it was transient as he resigned again after septet months to take up the lap of press advisor to former TD and Cabinet Minister Mary Mitchell Author in 2016.

Alan announced he was notice from that new role in Nov 2016, after six months, but stayed in the field of communications. Recognized is currently is employed as justness General Secretary of the Irish Cautionary Publishers' Association and can still mistrust heard on the airwaves as proscribed works occasional shifts on LMFM Radio.