'I am delighted to be back': Claire Byrne launches new Newstalk show after leaving RTÉ

Claire Byrne takes over from veteran broadcaster and former colleague Pat Kenny,

Claire Byrne launched her new Newstalk show on Tuesday morning following her departure from the State broadcaster last year.

The presenter revealed last summer that she would leave her titular show on RTÉ Radio One to launch a new mid-morning programme on Newstalk.

The move forms part of a wider reshuffle of Newstalk's daytime schedule, announced by parent company Bauer Media Audio Ireland in December.

In her opening remarks, Ms Byrne said she was “delighted to be back” at the station.

"Well, it's my first show in 15 years [here], because long-time listeners might remember that I was here before," she said. 

"But that is 15 whole years since I sat in this studio, and I am delighted to be back, and it's great to have you with us today. 

"I hope that over the coming days and weeks and indeed months, we're going to get our heads around the day's events together, we'll talk about it, analyse it, and find out what's going on in your life too. 

"And I hope we will have plenty of fun on the way, so let's get to it," Ms Byrne added.

Ms Byrne replaced veteran broadcaster and former colleague Pat Kenny, who presented his final weekday edition of The Pat Kenny Show last Friday.

Mr Kenny hosted Newstalk’s 9am to 12pm programme since joining the station after leaving RTÉ in 2013.

Claire Byrne recently sat down with Patrick Kielty on RTÉ's The Late Late Show

The presenter previously told Patrick Kielty's Late Late Show that it was "intimidating" to take over Mr Kenny's slot, but that she was "really excited to get going" with a "whole new show."

“Pat is an absolute icon, a legend,” she said. “We presented together on Prime Time. Not many people remember that — myself, Miriam [O’Callaghan] and Pat."