Claire Byrne to leave RTÉ for Newstalk in major radio shake-up

Claire Byrne.

RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne is leaving the State broadcaster and joining rival station Newstalk.

Ms Byrne, who hosts Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio One, will launch a new mid-morning programme on Newstalk in early 2026, replacing Pat Kenny.

She will be replaced on the Today programme by David McCullagh, who currently anchors RTÉ One's Six One News.

He will start hosting the Today show on November 3, according to RTÉ, and will continue presenting the Six One News until the end of October.

Today with Claire Byrne currently has 354,000 listeners. Ms Byrne began hosting the show in 2020, and from 2015 to 2022 she hosted the weekly current affairs television programme Claire Byrne Live.

Ms Byrne, who previously worked for Newstalk from 2006 to 2010, told the station: "This new chapter marks a really significant milestone for me in my career and I’m thrilled to be doing it with the vibrant team and listeners at Newstalk as they continue to thrive and cement their position in the Irish media landscape.

“It’s a particular honour for me to take up the reins from Pat Kenny, a broadcaster whose career, skill and passion for the job is an inspiration to all of us.” 

Newstalk managing editor Eric Moylan said Ms Byrne is a “seriously talented and skilful broadcaster”.

“She is a central part of our ambitious plans for continued audience growth at Newstalk across FM and digital listening,” he said.

Meanwhile, RTÉ’s Director of Audio Patricia Monahan said: "Claire has made the Today seat her own, and her contribution to public service broadcasting across her years in RTÉ has been outstanding." 

"We wish her the very best, and thank her for her dedication to the audiences in Ireland and around the world over many years."

Ms Byrne will take over the slot currently filled by Mr Kenny on Newstalk.

Mr Kenny said on his Newstalk show on Friday that in spring next year, he will move The Pat Kenny Show to weekends.

“The reason for saying this is I just want to thank all of you for helping to make this show the biggest show on commercial radio. But for now, the show goes on.”  

According to Newstalk, he currently has an audience of around 216,000 listeners.