RTE Welcomes Cathal Dowd as New Presenter for News2Day

RTE has appointed Cathal Dowd as the new presenter for its children’s news program, News2Day, following the departure of former host Barry Gallagher. Dowd, a recent graduate of Dublin City University, expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating he is “absolutely delighted” to join the team as the program prepares for the upcoming school term.

At just 23 years old, Dowd will work alongside Florence Okojie in presenting the show. He was selected after a nationwide search that targeted media and journalism graduates, culminating in a rigorous audition process. Dowd will not only present on RTE2, the RTE News channel, and RTE Player, but he will also travel across Ireland, visiting schools to engage directly with students.

Career Background and New Responsibilities

Originally from Wexford, Dowd completed his primary education at Mercy and CBS schools before attending St Peter’s College for secondary education. He graduated this year with a degree in Journalism and has previously gained experience in various media roles. These include reporting local news at WLR FM, writing sports articles for Balls.ie, and commentating on League of Ireland matches with Wexford FC.

This role marks his first experience in front of the camera. Reflecting on his new position, Dowd remarked, “It’s such an exciting and surreal opportunity to be part of a show that I watched growing up. To now be in the place of people who shaped my early love for news and media is an absolute honour.”

He emphasized his commitment to delivering important news and current affairs to young audiences, stating he looks forward to sharing stories from schools and communities throughout the country.

Changes at RTE and Future Plans

Dowd steps in for Gallagher, who left News2Day in June after two years with the program. This change comes amid a broader reshuffle at RTE. David McCullagh has been announced as the new host of RTE Radio 1’s flagship program, Today with Claire Byrne, which has been a leading radio show in Ireland, boasting an audience of 354,000 according to the latest JNLR figures.

Byrne, a prominent figure in Irish media, will transition to Newstalk, taking over the morning slot previously held by Pat Kenny beginning in early 2026. McCullagh, who has an extensive background as a political correspondent and television presenter, expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “I’m delighted to be joining the Today programme and am excited about the challenge ahead.”

With these changes, RTE continues to evolve, ensuring engaging content for its audience while supporting new talent like Cathal Dowd in the media landscape.