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Rachael English

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Rachael English
Born
Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom
NationalityIrish
EducationDublin City University
Occupation(s)Broadcaster, writer
Notable creditRTÉ Radio 1
SpouseEamon Quinn

Rachael English (born 1969) is an Irish broadcaster and writer. Known for presenting Five Seven Live for six years,[1] English has also presented other radio shows, such as RTÉ News at One, Today with Pat Kenny, The Marian Finucane Show and The Late Debate as well as a permanent presenter of Morning Ireland and Saturday View.

In 2011, Kim Bielenberg said in the Irish Independent that English would be "a natural replacement for Sean O'Rourke if he ever moved on".[2]

Early life

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Rachael English was born in Lincolnshire, where her mother, Ruth, was raised. She grew up in Shannon[3] before going on to study Communication Studies at Dublin City University.[4][5]

Broadcasting career

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English debuted in 1989 as a presenter on a new radio station, Clare FM. She briefly worked for the public relations company owned by RTÉ broadcaster Bill O'Herlihy, then moved to RTÉ 2fm as a newsreader in August 1991. She was brought into the News at One team at Christmas that year, when no other staff were available.[4] From there she stood in for presenters on Morning Ireland, Five Seven Live and Today with Pat Kenny.[1]

In June 2000, she became the presenter of Five Seven Live. In her time on the programme she won the PPI award for her coverage of the September 11 attacks.[6] Her father also featured on the show, providing horse racing Cheltenham tips for her listeners.[4][7]

After six years in the job, she left the programme in August 2006, and it was replaced by Mary Wilson's Drivetime.[7]

Other work in RTÉ has included election coverage on radio since 2002, the 2004 Summer Olympics, the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and other major news events, including the September 11 attacks.[5][8]

She presented The Late Debate on RTÉ Radio 1 until 2010, and was a substitute when Marian Finucane was not able to present her weekend radio show, The Marian Finucane Show.[9] In August 2009, it was announced she would present the programme Saturday View,[10] as 25-year presenter Rodney Rice retired.[11] She became a permanent presenter of Morning Ireland in October 2010.[12]

In 2022 she was inducted into the IMRO hall of fame.[13]

On 30 May 2024, English was announced as the new presenter of the RTÉ News at One on RTÉ Radio 1 following the retirement of Bryan Dobson.[14]

Writing career

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She signed a two-book deal with Orion in 2012.[15] As at February 2024 she has written seven novels.

Personal life

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English is married to financial journalist Eamon Quinn.

In October 2008, she was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid (but escaped a potentially more serious diagnosis relating to the lumps found in both of her breasts shortly after the thyroid trouble began). She is on medication for the thyroid problem, possibly for the rest of her life, and has stated that at some point she plans to treat the lump she still has in her throat.[4]

Publications

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  • Going Back, Orion, 2013
  • Each and Every One, Orion, 2014
  • The American Girl, Hachette, 2017
  • The Night of the Party, Hachette, 2018
  • The Paper Bracelet, Hachette, 2020
  • The Letter Home, Hachette, 2022
  • Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy?, Hachette, 2024

References

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  1. ^ a b "RTÉ Elections: About Rachael and Nick". RTÉ. 2007. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  2. ^ Bielenberg, Kim. "The top 10 waiting in the wings". Irish Independent. 22 October 2011.
  3. ^ Rachael English and Aoife Kavanagh join Morning Ireland Team RTÉ Press Centre 1 October 2010
  4. ^ a b c d "RTÉ Guide: Rachael English Interview". RTÉ Guide. 3 March 2009. Archived from the original on 2 March 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  5. ^ a b "Rachael English". Morning Ireland. RTÉ.ie. Archived from the original on 23 April 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  6. ^ "Faraway Up Close Profile: Rachael English". Faraway Up Close. Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  7. ^ a b Allison Bray (19 August 2006). "Rachael bids an emotional farewell to drivetime show". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  8. ^ "RTÉ Press Release: Rachael English to pursue new avenues at RTÉ Radio". RTÉ Radio. 2006. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  9. ^ Ken Sweeney (31 May 2009). "'Joke' of presenters' summer holiday exodus comes to an end". The Sunday Tribune. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  10. ^ "RTÉ Radio new season 2009" (PDF). RTÉ Radio. Retrieved 17 August 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Rodney Rice Retires. RTÉ Broadcaster Signs Off After 40 Years On-Air". RTÉ. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "New faces for Morning Ireland team". RTÉ.ie. 1 October 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  13. ^ Crowley, Sinéad (13 September 2022). "Rachael English 'honoured' to be inducted into IMRO hall of fame". www.rte.ie. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  14. ^ "'Feels like coming home' - Rachael English is new presenter of RTÉ's News at One". RTÉ News. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Rachael English secures two-book deal". RTÉ Ten. 2 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
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