Lawlor returns to radio after cancer treatment

Almost nine months after she left the programme to undergo treatment for cancer, Morning Ireland stalwart Áine Lawlor was back on the airwaves yesterday.

Ms Lawlor’s return was typically low-key, with her introduction at the start of the broadcast the same as she had done so many times before.

However, for the duration of the programme friends, fans, and colleagues took to Twitter in their droves to say how wonderful it was to hear her back.

Des Cahill delayed the programme’s first sports bulletin to welcome his long-time colleague back.

“It’s nice to have you back Áine,” he said. “It’s like the old days with you and Cathal (Mac Coille) here. You’ve made me feel 10 years younger.”

Mr Mac Coille, with whom Mr Lawlor, a mother-of-four has formed the core of the Morning Ireland presenting team for so long, did not make reference to her return until the end of the programme.

“Some of you are asking the question who is that voice which you have heard somewhere before. I can tell you you are not dreaming and if you are dreaming it is a very good dream. It is Áine, about whom many nice things have been said on Twitter,” he said.

During her nine months away, Ms Lawlor underwent intense treatment for breast cancer, including chemo-therapy, radiation, and a mastectomy.

Ms Lawlor has worked for RTÉ since 1984 and joined Morning Ireland in 1995.

She is due to appear on Miriam O’Callaghan’s chat show on RTÉ One tonight.