Áine Lawlor bids farewell to RTÉ after more than 40 years

Political Coverage Editor Joe Mag Raollaigh pays tribute to Áine after her years of service to public service journalism.

As she walks out of Studio Three after presenting her last The Week in Politics today, Áine Lawlor can be justifiably proud of her decades long career at the top of Irish journalism.

Proud, however, is not something that her colleagues would say she is. Rather, she is regarded as humorous, erudite, appreciative and supportive by colleagues.

Over 42 years she has served Irish audiences of radio and television in many guises.

From Coolock, in Dublin, after attending Manor House School in Raheny, she wound up in Trinity College and served as Student Union President.

She first joined RTÉ in 1984. That was the beginning of a lifelong journey at the heart of Irish radio and television broadcasting that made her a household name up and down the country.

Morning Ireland, RTÉ's flagship morning news programme, came looking for her in 1995, and throughout her many years on the programme her sharp intellect and legendary preparedness ensured the listening public were always well informed, even if some interviewees might have been discomforted from time to time.

She also worked on television projects at this time, including the ground-breaking three-part Mary Raftery documentary series States of Fear, which she narrated.

In 2011, she took a break from Morning Ireland after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Although off air for a time there was a huge outpouring of sympathy for her and subsequently gratitude from many as she shared her treatment and recovery journey in a two-part documentary, Facing Cancer.

There followed in 2013 her appointment as presenter on the News at One radio programme and also as presenter of The Week in Politics, the latter role she continued with until today, her very last day broadcasting in RTÉ.

Over the years there were many memorable TWIP broadcasts, high profile interviews and moments when Áine's thorough and clear-eyed approach led to dramatic turns.

Most recently, her close questioning of Jim Gavin, the Fianna Fáil candidate in the 2025 Presidential Election over property interests, was compulsive viewing, and central to the decision later that day by Mr Gavin to withdraw from the election race.

Known primarily for her sharp political journalism, Áine was equally comfortable and proficient in other settings.

Whether it was at the National Ploughing Championships or Big Week on the Farm, or her always sunny style presenting Bloom Live every year, colleagues could see at the heart of Áine was a great grá for people and for celebrating nature.

No doubt there will be plenty of time for that in her garden and her allotment, along with husband Ian and the rest of her family.

RTÉ's loss is her family's gain.

Áine Lawlor is leaving the building but her broadcasting legacy remains.

Our hope for our colleague is that the next chapter will be filled with joy.