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Miriam O'Callaghan

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For the president of the Camogie Association, see Miriam O'Callaghan (camogie).

Miriam O'Callaghan (born 1959 or 1960)[1] is an Irish television current affairs presenter with RTÉ.

Miriam O'Callaghan
O'Callaghan in 2015 interview
Born1959 or 1960 (65–66)
Foxrock, Dublin, Ireland
EducationLaw
Alma materUniversity College Dublin
EmployerRTÉ
Spouse(s)Tom McGurk (1983–1995)
Steve Carson (2000–present)
Children8
RelativesJim O'Callaghan (brother)

O'Callaghan has presented Prime Time since 1996, and her own summer talk show, Saturday Night with Miriam, from 2005 onwards. In the summer of 2009, she began a radio show, Miriam Meets..., since replaced by live show Sunday with Miriam. She is also the first woman to present a full episode of The Late Late Show.

Early life

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O'Callaghan received her Bachelor of Civil Law in 1979 and a Diploma in European Law in 1981.[2]

Her brother, politician Jim O'Callaghan is a Fianna Fáil TD[3][4] and the party's spokesperson on justice.[5] Her sister, Anne, had cancer and died aged 33.[6]

Career

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O'Callaghan worked for British national broadcaster the BBC[7] before returning to Ireland after being headhunted by RTÉ in 1993 to present Marketplace, an economics and business programme.[8] She worked on the first series of ITV's Tonight with Sir Trevor McDonald until 1999. Since 1996, RTÉ secured her services exclusively as the presenter of Prime Time.[9]

In 2005, she began the first series of her own summer talk show, Saturday Night with Miriam. O'Callaghan made her debut as a radio presenter on 11 July 2009 on the programme, Miriam Meets, to run for eight weeks.[10][11] It was confirmed in August 2009 that the programme would return permanently to RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday mornings.[12] In 2013, she stood in as a long-term replacement on RTÉ Radio One in the daily morning slot from 9 am to 10 am when presenter John Murray was on extended sick leave. After this she was given a new live Sunday morning radio show on RTÉ Radio One from 10am until 11am.

In 2011, O'Callaghan fronted RTÉ's coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to the Republic of Ireland in May 2011,[13] and in October of that year hosted the Prime Time debate with the seven candidates standing in the 2011 Irish presidential election.[14] Her treatment of Martin McGuinness resulted in more than 100 complaints to RTÉ.[15]

She hosted RTÉ's 50th anniversary party on New Year's Eve 2011, attended by President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and Jedward.[16][17]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she hosted The Late Late Show when Ryan Tubridy was unavailable. She was the first female presenter of a full episode of the show (Marian Finucane having presented part of an episode on 15 November 1980).[18][19]

O'Callaghan hosted the RTÉ Leaders Debate for the 2020 Irish general election. RTÉ defended O'Callaghan against accusations of bias, her brother was standing for re-election as a Fianna Fáil candidate.[20] She will host the final debate of the 2024 Irish general election with government party leaders Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Mícheál Martin and Leader of the Opposition Mary Lou McDonald.[21]

O'Callaghan's earnings from her work with RTÉ were €307,000 as of 2011,[22] which were reduced to €263,500 as of 2023.[23]

Marriages and children

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O'Callaghan married her first husband in 1983 and they separated in 1995 after having four daughters.[24] She met her second husband, Steve Carson, while working on Newsnight. In 2000, they married and set up their own television company, Mint Productions.[25] She has four sons with Carson.[24]

Awards

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In 2003, she won the Television Personality of the Year Award at the Irish Film and Television Awards.[26]

O'Callaghan was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree by the Ulster University in Derry on 5 July 2011.[27] University College Cork conferred to her an Honorary Doctor of Laws by University College Cork in June 2017. In 2015, she was awarded UCD Alumnus of the Year in Law from University College Dublin.[2]

She has won the RTÉ Guide Style Award in 2012.[28]

References

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  1. ^ "Miriam O'Callaghan on being "unbelievably & annoyingly positive"". rte.ie. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b "MIRIAM O'CALLAGHAN". UCD Alumni Awards. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Tubridy told to stay away from his political brother". The Belfast Telegraph. 18 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Fianna Fáil's negotiating team for government talks revealed". The Irish Times. 12 March 2016. Although a new Deputy, Mr O'Callaghan has been a member of the Fianna Fáil leadership team over the past five years in his role as the party's legal adviser.
  5. ^ Bray, Jennifer. "Martin appoints 18 Fianna Fáil TDs to spokesperson positions". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  6. ^ Bielenberg, Kim. "The broadcaster talks to Kim Bielenberg about the highs and lows of social media, missing out on the Late Late Show gig and those RTÉ leaving party photos". Irish Independent. 19 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Would I go back to the BBC? Never say never says much in demand Miriam O'Callaghan". Irish Independent. 9 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Miriam O'Callaghan". Ulster University. 4 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Dr Miriam O'Callaghan, Degree of Doctor of Laws". University College Cork. 12 December 2022.
  10. ^ "O'Callaghan to present radio show". RTÉ. 10 June 2009.
  11. ^ "No babies or pressure to look good makes radio right for Miriam". The Irish Times. 10 June 2009.
  12. ^ "O'Callaghan back on Sunday morning". The Irish Times. 17 August 2009.
  13. ^ Keane, Kevin (14 May 2011). "Broadcasters roll out big guns for visit". Irish Independent.
  14. ^ "Miriam O'Callaghan ready for 'challenge'". RTÉ News. 12 October 2011. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011.
  15. ^ "RTÉ treatment of McGuinness generates over 100 complaints". The Irish Times. 14 October 2011. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011.
  16. ^ Sweeney, Ken (12 November 2011). "Miriam ringing in the new as she hosts RTÉ's 50th anniversary TV bash". Irish Independent.
  17. ^ "RTÉ announces Christmas highlights". RTÉ. 28 November 2011.
  18. ^ "'I just wanted to get it right' - Miriam O'Callaghan on being Ireland's first female Late Late presenter". independent. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Marian Finucane Steps up". RTÉ.ie.
  20. ^ "General Election 2020: RTE defends Miriam O'Callaghan after accusations of bias over Fianna Fail brother Jim". Irish Mirror. 5 February 2020.
  21. ^ "RTÉ announces comprehensive 2024 General Election coverage across TV, Radio, and Online to keep Ireland inform". RTÉ. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  22. ^ O'Connell, Hugh (27 March 2013). "RTÉ reveals stars' salaries: Ryan Tubridy was paid €723,000 in 2011, according to figures released by the State broadcaster this evening". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015.
  23. ^ "RTÉ publish earnings of 10 highest paid presenters in annual report". echolive.ie. 16 September 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Miriam 'over the moon' at having baby number eight at age of 44". Irish Independent. 25 September 2005.
  25. ^ Site hosted by IE Internet
  26. ^ "RTÉ's Mooney nominated for TV award". RTÉ. 25 August 2004.
  27. ^ "University honours Miriam O'Callaghan". RTÉ. 5 July 2011.
  28. ^ "Style-winner Miriam 'does not wake up wondering what to wear'". Irish Independent. 25 November 2012.
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