RTE 1: 'Today' with David McCullagh

touts · 17-02-2026 12:03PM

They just finished a 15 minute party political broadcast by Mary Lou. She basically attacked the Government over the planning issue with the Rotunda and David softly threw prepared pre-approved questions to her. No challenge to her about Sinn Fein objecting to other developments across the country.

Brendan Bendar · 19-02-2026 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124242482#Comment_124242482

Nothing new there Mr. T….

Arghus · 25-02-2026 02:23PM

What do people think now after the initial few months have passed.

Some things are improved - Not every second item has the theme of "Is (Insert Item Here) Dangerous/ How worried should you be?" It was comical how ludicrous that got with CB at the helm - item after item covered was framed as something to be concerned in some way.

But, I don't know if it's been a total success. DMcC is good on current affairs and grilling politicians, he's not as adept at fluff pieces or interviewing someone on to plug something.

And there seems to be a pronounced slant to covering those essentially rubbish items in the show. I thought we'd see a return to a more rigourous current affairs type show with DMcC fronting it.

dxhound2005 · 25-02-2026 03:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264339#Comment_124264339

That Insert Dangerous Item Here is just an invention of the Radio Forum. From people who call her Scare Byrne, not to be taken seriously.

Arghus · 25-02-2026 03:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264454#Comment_124264454

Respectfully, I have to disagree.

I've noticed a clear difference in how these type of discussions are framed since CB left.

There was an editorial tendency towards covering many items from a default position of concern or alarm: Should we be worried? Is it a risk? What can we do to prevent the unwanted effects? Are there unknown dangers?

It was a noticeable characteristic of the show. If you choose to deny that, then go ahead. There's far less of these kind of items since she left. Which may have nothing to do with her directly, maybe there's been changes off the mic that explain that too.

dxhound2005 · 25-02-2026 04:20PM

In the real world it doesn't matter. She had 350,000 listeners on RTE, and if it was an issue it would have been all over the mainstream media. She wasn't scaring listeners away in droves.

It is like the apocryphal What Colour Was The Car Caller from Joe Duffy. He may have said it once, maybe never. But lots of Scare Byrne anti RTE types would be convinced that he said it dozens of times.

Arghus · 25-02-2026 06:05PM

Alright mate....

Anyway have you any thoughts on how DMcC is doing in the hot seat.

Brendan Bendar · 25-02-2026 06:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264339#Comment_124264339

Not a chance dude, Monaghan wouldn’t allow that, dumbing down is the strategy.

You can see it from a long way off, permeating all over the station with numerous reminders of upcoming programmes baked into the chatter.

Homesick Alien · 26-02-2026 12:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264339#Comment_124264339

I'm still on the fence. I go between this and CB over on Newstalk. I still think Callan should have kept the 9am slot as a palate cleanser between Morning Ireland and DmC but then you're running straight from DmC into the News at 1.

elperello · 26-02-2026 02:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124266481#Comment_124266481

Not if you left Callan with just the hour and L Byrne with the great music choices at 12.

Anyway they've decided now and won't change.

Chun the Unavoidable · 27-02-2026 03:47PM

i think its a better show now its bedded down a bit - he was quite hyper for the first few weeks. they can and should allow items to grow out a bit though. not sure why there are any fluff/book promotion type interviews when Callan is following on. In that vein, Callans show does a fair bit of "current affairs light" as well, and some mornings its almost the same show from 9-1 just that it mellows as it goes along. the powers that be could sort that.

dxhound2005 · 27-02-2026 06:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264933#Comment_124264933

There is a danger of this thread descending into nonsense about Dumbing Down. Anyone can listen back to the episodes, or look at the clips to know it is not true. It is just a programme on the radio, and it is fulfilling what it sets out to do. It will not be suitable for some people, but that is normal.

"David McCullagh brings you closer to the stories defining your day - with live reports, sharp analysis, and engaging conversations across politics, entertainment, sport, and every day life."

Brendan Bendar · 27-02-2026 06:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124270152#Comment_124270152

There is no ‘nonsense’ about Dumbing Down, the RTE blurb describes it as exactly that, couched in flowery media speak.

Monaghan is determined to ‘Newstalkise’ the station, that’s the idea, surely you can see that, horse.

mykrodot · 27-02-2026 07:15PM

I like David McCullough….switched to him after Pat Kenny left Newstalk. I like that RTE stay longer than 5 minutes on any topic and you get a better flow. Newstalk are always "up against the clock" and "running out of time"………..its beyond frustrating when they use serious discussions as a kind of aural clickbait then call time on it just when it's getting good. Hate that.

David has a better flow and the discussions are better, in fact I'd say the same about Katie Hannon and Cormac O H on Drivetime , there is less of a rush about topics, they're not always breathless and up against the clock.

Having said that I regularly head David McCullough sighing into the mic, or at the very least taking rather long deep breaths……………as though he is frustrated ……….or maybe bored……….maybe it's just a habit with him. Anyway I like him better than Claire Byrne, her show has an awful lot of fluff .

rino87 · 11-03-2026 10:49AM

Jennifer Carroll McNeil is absolutely impossible to listen to on radio or TV.... just constant fillerbusting, fill the space with as many words as you can.....

littlevillage · 11-03-2026 12:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124303551#Comment_124303551

I believe in the big country they call it a 'Word Salad' 🥗

littlevillage · 11-03-2026 12:07PM

What's behind this new Country music revival?

Lets ask perma orgasm voiced Louise Duffy 🤮

No Louise, its cynical corporates trying to make a dime off the silver surfer generation.

dxhound2005 · 11-03-2026 05:39PM

She's The Queen Of The Silver Dollar.

elperello · 11-03-2026 07:51PM

She did a show today and you'd need to be a music grinch not to enjoy it.

Listen back, I recommend it.

Brendan Bendar · 11-03-2026 10:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124304974#Comment_124304974

Nah mate,will stay well clear.

Brendan Bendar · 18-03-2026 05:25PM

I’m,getting more and more convinced that McCullagh is not suited to this show .

Reedy voice going up and down …..doesn’t generate genuine enthusiasm in my opinion.

hotmail.com · 18-03-2026 05:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124322164#Comment_124322164

Claire and David are not much good and I don't see any editorial difference between the two programmes. The public is the loser here.

ednwireland · 20-03-2026 01:31PM

Ugh Marie Sherlock, giving out about the retrofit grants martins trip to Washington. Complains about everything, solutions for nothing. Same as all the opposition parties ( declaration of interest I got 2.4k for solar panels and car charger which would be doing great today if it wasn't for the ESB working on the lines today!)

Brendan Bendar · 20-03-2026 06:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124326805#Comment_124326805

Very dislikable person I would suggest.

RoTelly · 23-03-2026 11:15AM

They need someone to mute his mic when he's exasperated with uninteresting topics such as periods …

littlevillage · 23-03-2026 11:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124334152#Comment_124334152

Yeah, I noticed that too.

He also adds in little witty quips every soo often. They seem clunky.

The Venus Project · 25-03-2026 12:34AM

I enjoyed the section of the David McCollough show today with the interview with the Dutch housing minister. Any guests from outside these shores, or, with unique and obscure experience, are very welcome. David's in depth knowledge from his news reading roles make him knowledgeable and quick on his feet on most topics, in and out of his remit as news reader, his in depth knowledge on this topic made it a good interview. Claire has her work cut out but I believe she can do it.

RoTelly · 25-03-2026 05:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338622#Comment_124338622

I'd argue that Claire is gone already TBH.

elperello · 25-03-2026 07:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124340240#Comment_124340240

Is it just that you are gone off her or do you think it's the general listenership too.

RoTelly · 25-03-2026 08:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124340534#Comment_124340534

She is just not very good, I imagine that she feels like a stand in, and unless she can over come that the audience will fall off. There is a huge difference between Pat leaving RTÉ in 2013 and Claire returning to Newstalk in 2026. On top of this listeners to newstalk are just as likely to turn the dial, if not more so.

RTE 1: 'Today' with David McCullagh

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