Mary Kennedy stepped away from her presenting role on RTE’s Nationwide earlier this year, and her replacement has just been revealed.
The much loved star left the station just following her 65th birthday, after 40 amazing years in RTE – and is set to be replaced on the cultural show by fellow presenter, Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh.
Blathnaid, who is best known for her role on The Afternoon Show, will join reporter Anne Cassin when Nationwide returns in January 2020.
The 48-year-old last year spoke about what she believed to be a gender inequality in the station, saying she hopes things change before too long.
“We’re a bit top-heavy with our male hosts, so hopefully there’s a nice gender balance in our autumn schedule,” she revealed.
“We have Ray D’Arcy, Ryan Tubridy, Brendan O’Connor and Tommy Tiernan now, that’s four. They used to say women love looking at male hosts on the television.
“I don’t necessarily love it. I rate how good a presenter they are.”
Mary Kennedy, who recently surprised her son in Australia for his 30th birthday, previously opened up about RTE’s decision to change the lineup.
Speaking to the RTE Guide, the mother of two said she is sad to be stepping down.
“I’d love to stay but it’s up to RTE if I go or not,” she revealed.
“All I can say is that I love what I do and I would love it to continue.”