Eileen Dunne signed off her final broadcast with RTÉ News last night, after 42 years of reporting.
Saying farewell to the role she has loved so much, the iconic news reader took a few minutes at the end of the broadcast, to say goodbye.
Beginning: “Before we go, focal scoir; this is my final bulletin after 42 years working for this wonderful organisation and I’ve only ever been as good as the people behind me.”
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Continuing on, Eileen thanked every one who had made her experience working there such a positive one.
Saying: “So, a few thank yous: to my family and early mentors who got me here and sustained me, to my wonderful newsroom colleagues, both in front of and behind the cameras.”
“Not to mention wardrobe and makeup and finally to you, the viewers. Thank you for your support, especially during those turbulent Covid years.”
Concluding: “It’s been an honour and a privilege. See you on the other side,”
After over 40 years on air at RTÉ, senior newscaster Eileen Dunne has retired. The Nine O’Clock News presenter signed off from her final broadcast tonight, saying it has been ‘an honour and a privilege’ | Read: https://t.co/O5oDCeIT7D pic.twitter.com/hZctXi6KOb
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 18, 2022
Eileen has a staff contract with the broadcaster which means she has to retire at 65, as did Mark Kennedy and Seán O’Rourke who were on the same contract as her. The broadcaster turned 65 in April.
She announced her retirement early this year, stating she felt ready to leave.
Speaking with RSVP Magazine she shared that she had initially planned to leave at 60 but decided to stay on for five more years but that now she is “ready” to retire.
She said; “I have been there for over 40 years and I feel like I have done my time.”
Continuing she added; “I will miss the routine too but the way I am working at the moment is leading me into retirement. I do a week on and then one or two days the next week.”
