Andrea Gilligan pictured at the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse
Picture Brian McEvoy
Meghan Scully pictured at the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown RacecoursePicture Brian McEvoy
Nuala Carey pictured at the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown RacecoursePicture Brian McEvoy
Kayleah Lond wife of Ireland soccer hero Shane Long pictured at the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown racecourse
Picture Brian McEvoy
Avila Lipsett pictured at the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse
Picture Brian McEvoy
Newstalk’s Andrea Gilligan has said it’s a “really exciting time” ahead of the station’s new scheduling change this week.
Former RTÉ star Claire Byrne will take up the reins on her new morning show on Tuesday as she replaces Pat Kenny on the 9am-12pm weekday slot.
“I have no doubt Claire will hit the ground running,” said the Lunchtime Live presenter.
“It’s a really exciting time. I’ve never worked with Claire before so I’m really excited to work with her. I hold her in really high esteem and we will be working very closely together because there’s five minutes for Claire to vacate the studio and for me to come in at 11.55am every day.
“Pat and I always had a really good friendship and relationship and I’m looking forward to forging that with Claire as well. It’s a really exciting time for Newstalk and there’s a really good buzz about the place. I’m there 13 years, I left for a period to go to RTÉ and went back to Newstalk.
“Some of my best friends are my colleagues, people I started working with in radio and that’s brilliant. That’s the buzz that makes the station And I’m sure, for Claire coming back, she will notice the big change.”
She was speaking at Leopardstown racecourse for the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Rain may have stopped play for the first day, with Saturday’s race card rescheduled for tomorrow but it did not stop the crowds from turning out in force for Sunday’s racing.
Meghan Scully pictured at the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown RacecoursePicture Brian McEvoy
Thousands flocked to the southside track on St Brigid’s Day to see the Michael O’Leary-owned entry ‘Brightersdayahead’ claim top honours in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Other attendees at the Ladbrokes suite included Claudine Keane, Roz Lipsett, Shane Long and Jason McAteer. RTÉ’s Nuala Carey said she was “hoping to back a few winners” at the course – and did not rule out a stint on Dancing with the Stars.
Nuala Carey pictured at the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown RacecoursePicture Brian McEvoy
“I would definitely consider it, if I could organise a bit of time off work. I don’t think you could work full-time and do it. So once there is some flexibility there with work, I would be interested in doing it. I think it looks like good fun,” she said.