Behind the scenes at Ireland AM: 'People wake up with us every morning — it’s such a privilege'

The country’s longest-running TV breakfast show continues to pull in viewers from 7 to 10 every morning. But what is it about the toast ‘n’ talk format that keeps people tuning in? Amanda Cassidy spent a morning on set in Ballymount with the Virgin Media sunrise crew to find out

Tommy Bowe, Muireann O'Connell and Alan Hughes, presenters of Virgin Media's Ireland AM. Picture: Nina Val

I tiptoe onto the side stage of the Ireland AM set behind Adham, one of the floor managers. My heart in my mouth, convinced that my phone will beep, even though it’s powered off.

There’s something about live TV; a fizz — the feeling that anything could happen. It’s an energy I’ve missed since I worked on Sky News Ireland years ago.