‘I have to look after myself' says Joanna Donnelly as she breaks silence and reveals reason she quit RTE News
The meteorologist announced her departure from Met Eireann during her final forecast on RTE's Nine O'Clock News on Monday night.
3
Joanna Donnelly has announced she is stepping down from Met Eireann
3
Joanna broke her silence on the news on Instagram
3
Joanna admitted it was a 'hard decision'
The Dubliner has been broadcasting on
Radio
1 since February 2002.
has been flooded with messages from fans wondering why she left.
In a short clip posted to her
star
admitted she has been feeling "overwhelmed" by the response.
The presenter said: "The messages of support I have been receiving, I am genuinely shocked at the reaction."
READ MORE IN JOANNA DONNELLY
Joanna then cleared the air regarding her exit, adding: "This is not a decision I came to lightly by any means.
"It was a very, very hard decision to make."
The former
family
.
Joanna revealed that she would not be back on screens "for a while" and added: "I have to take some time and look after myself."
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
The news star went on to thank her followers for their many messages over the past few days.
She emphasised: "I seriously can't believe how many messages of kindness and support I have received.
Joanna Donnelly signs off air
"I am really, really touched and as I said it was a very hard decision to make. But I think it was the right one."
The mum-of-three joined
Met Eireann
in 1995, working as a meteorological officer before being
But she became a star of the small screen when she started fronting
weather
bulletins on RTE One and 2 in December 2015.
COLOURFUL CAREER
In 2018, Joanna penned an illustrated book called The Great Irish Weather Book.
Joanna then launched her second book, Malin Head to Mizen Head, which is a journey around Ireland's Sea Area Forecast in 2023.
The 54-year-old is married to fellow forecaster, Harm Luijkx, who hails from The
The weather presenter met Harm while on a training course with Met Eireann.
Harm has also worked with Met Eireann and together they have three
children
, a daughter Nicci, and two sons, Tobias and Casper.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Oh stop' – RTE Fair City viewers all have same complaint as Renee spoils new club
RTE Fair City viewers were all left with the same complaint as Renee spoiled their new club. Last Sunday Emma organised a book club and Renee got upset when she wasn't invited. Advertisement 3 Renee wasn't impressed by Sharon's book choices Credit: RTE 3 Sharon spoke about Fifty Shades of Grey Credit: RTE 3 Emma tried to keep the peace Credit: RTE Emma eventually extended an invitation, but Renee was quick to assert herself and tried to take a leading role. Tonight, Holly, Emma, Renee and Sharon all met up for the book club. However, after a few jokes about Fifty Shades of Grey, Renee became bossy over reading choices in the book club, to Sharon's disgruntlement. Emma tried to keep the group together. Advertisement read more on fair city RTE viewers were all left fuming at Renee as they discussed the book club. Mairin tweeted: "Oh stop talking Renee." One fan said: "Never heard a book club that actually read books." Ciara wrote: "Renee's book choice... boring." Advertisement read more on the irish sun Another fan commented: "Renee the nosey mare." John added: "Never seen anyone read or mention a book but they're starting a book club." RTE Fair City first look Elsewhere, Ray enforced strict new rules at the garage and insisted that no sales or purchases could happen without his approval, which frustrated Pete. Doug warned Ray that he was being overbearing and neglecting his own work to focus on Pete. Advertisement When Dolores heard concerns from Erica and Doug, she stepped in and told Ray to focus on his own duties, which left Ray frustrated and Doug smug. Meanwhile, after a break in at The Marketplace, Rafferty was furious when James admitted he was missing his keys. FUMING JAMES James suspected Ger stole his keys and accused her of breaking into the vacant unit. Ger denied it and demanded fair treatment as a potential tenant. Advertisement Rafferty and Emma considered letting her take the lease, but James refused to sign off. Emma sided with James and Ger was turned down. When Rafferty rejected James' request for an advance on his pay check and his financial pressure mounted. Also tonight Mairead and Dean acknowledged their ongoing connection but held back because of Damien. Advertisement Mairead felt obliged to stand by Damien with Mark's sentencing approaching. Damien, unaware of their feelings, insisted Dean hang out with him and Mairead.
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Galway International Arts Festival 2025: Locals and visitors react as festival opens in Eyre Square
Now in its 48th year, the festival started on Monday July 14 and will run until July 27. Despite the wet start, with Met Eireann issuing a thunderstorm warning for most of Monday afternoon, the event has already attracted hundreds of expectant people from far and wide. Ames: New to Galway, excited for first arts festival Speaking to the Irish Independent at the Festival Garden in Eyre Square, Ames, who has only been living in the town of the Tribes for five weeks, said he loves the atmosphere already. 'It's absolutely lovely. Everybody's very cheerful and the arts are absolutely beautiful. Talking about the shows ahead, he added: 'I'm going to be looking at the schedule soon. It's all new to me, but it's very exciting. I was a big, big fan of the arts festivals in the States and I come from Tucson, which is known for gemstones and art festivals. So I'm just super excited.' John: Galway native celebrates festival tradition Not too far from him we met Galway city native John, who said he has enjoyed GIAF since he was a child. 'It's quite a fun time, it always brings a lovely vibrant energy to the city. I love to just exploring and walk around.' 'There's a lot of stuff when you finish work, people in the city can just run up to it and have a look at it. I think that's what makes the Galway Arts Festival so unique. 'It's so accessible for everyone. We've just walked up the city there and we've been to two installations already and I think that's what makes it so unique. It's kind of alive. It's not in a gallery, behind a building or something, it's alive,' he said. Eve: 20-year resident says festival has 'something for everyone' Eve is also a festival regular as she has been living in Galway city for 20 years. She explained that her favourite thing about the festival is that 'there's something for everyone'. She added: 'I think everybody from Galway loves [the festival],' she said. 'It brings a real great vibe and you get to see nice things. It's something different, like the circus last night was amazing with Sabotage. So I'd say anyone out there, come to Galway.' The festival is also a special event for staff and business owners. The much-loved Tiny Traders Market has been set up in the festival garden and will use the opportunity to showcase some of its vendors. Martha Begley Schade: Author calls festival stall 'fantastic honour' One of those sellers is children books author, Martha Begley Schade, who said it is a 'fantastic honour and pleasure' for her to be part of it and have a stall at the Festival Garden. She said: 'I think it's absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere here is just really great. People are friendly and there's a class, a class feeling about being here. I'm never asked 'are you the author?' Because people just take it for granted that this is the standard that we're bringing. 'It's a wonderful opportunity to actually showcase your products and a bit of Galway to right around the world and it's a lovely feeling because I do feel I'm representing Galway in a small way. 'My dream is that the books will have an impact, so that I have a positive influence on children growing up and being better adults. So can you imagine taking that out onto an international stage? It's a wonderful feeling and I'm really appreciative of the fact that I could be here. Plus all this staff here, the security guys, the guys with the coffee, it's a really fantastic honour and pleasure to be here.' Headline acts and diverse programming A variety of acts are on offer at this year's festival. Locally formed band The Stunning return to familiar territory when they perform at the Heineken Big Top on July 26. Further headline acts consist of Irish bands Kingfishr (July 20), Picture This (July 21-22) and the Mary Wallopers (July 19), while Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Natasha Bedingfield will also take to the Big Top on July 17. There is plenty more on offer outside of just music. A variety of visual arts performances, talks, and theatre shows will take place in venues across the city. The hefty list of shows includes Oh… a solo show by Mikel Murfi set in the main tank of Galway Atlantaquaria and shows Scorched Earth by Luke Murphy and The Cave by Caitríona McLaughlin and starring Aaron Monaghan, Judith Roddy and Tommy Tiernan.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘You were my person, my safe space' – B*Witched star Sinead O'Carroll shares heartfelt tribute to dad after his passing
B*WITCHED star Sinead O'Carroll has shared a heartfelt tribute to her beloved dad after his passing. The Irish singer's dad, Eamonn, sadly passed away last Thursday, July 10, after a "short illness". 2 Sinead shared a heartfelt tribute to her dad Credit: Instagram 2 Eamonn sadly passed away after a 'short illness' Credit: Instagram Sinead took to She wrote: "Today I said goodbye to my beautiful dad. You were my person, my safe place, your legacy is your patience, kindness, support, generosity and wisdom. "What a beautiful send off with all your family and friends around you. You loved us all so much. We loved you. May you rest in peace. My gentle man." Eamonn's death notice described him as a "much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend", and said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. READ MORE ON B*WITCHED It read: "Beloved husband of Barbara and devoted father to Sinead, Paul, Elaine, and Ailish. Cherished father-in-law to Meabh, Michael, Darren, and Andy. "Eamonn will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his family, friends, neighbours, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him." Fans and friends flooded Sinead's comment section with messages of support and condolences. Ireland AM star Most read in Celebrity Brendan Courtney said: "Oh Sinead - I am so very sorry for your loss - sending you love and light." Oh @officialsinocarroll , I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending love and strength to you ." B-Witched perform on Late Late Show Sue said: "He was such a gentleman, I'm so so sorry for you and your families loss. Thinking of you all, a wonderful 'bloke'." Another added: "Ah Sinead we are so sad to read this news. Sending big love to you, your dear mum and family." Earlier this year, the legendary 90s band appeared on the Late Late Show for The pop group which is formed of twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, and Lindsay Armaou and Sinead O'Carroll - first shot to fame back in 1998 with their hit tunes C'est La Vie and Rollercoaster. B*Witched officially announced their return back in 2023 to celebrate 25 years since they formed. 'ICONS' They jumped out on stage in the RTE studio with high energy and had everyone in the audience up on their feet. They started off their performance singing their latest 2024 track, So Into You, before going into their biggest hit C'est La Vie, which was first released in 1998. The singers also showed off their dance skills as they looked happier-than-ever busting their best moves in unison on stage. RTE Late Late Show shared a short clip of their segment over on Instagram and had everyone gushing. Elaine wrote: "Jesus it's like I've aged 30 years and time has stood still for them, they look so young." Laura said: "Icons!!! They nailed this performance. Still got it ladies." Edel added: "Wow these ladies can sing, dance and look absolutely amazing. Let's see more of them."
