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Updated 23:19
IRELAND IS A radio nation, they proclaimed. And, today, its king will be crowned.
Well, it wasn’t that dramatic but this morning’s talk-based radio stations were psyched up for a big day on the airwaves as the first day of the autumn season saw RTÉ’s Seán O’Rourke go head-to-head with his old colleague Pat Kenny over on the young pretender, Newstalk.
“Move that dial,” said the new Marconi House resident, while RTÉ promised all the day’s news brought to you at a “measured pace” (huh?).
There was lots of talk this morning on social media from people trying to listen in to both O’Rourke and Kenny but even with today’s technologies, that can prove difficult.
For your recapping pleasures, TheJournal.ie examines all the important aspects – including the theme tunes, the opening words and the first guests.
Plus, we captured those vital first 90 seconds for archival purposes.
O’Rourke mentioned his predecessor during the first moments on his new radio timeslot but Pat Kenny has truly left his RTÉ Radio One days behind him, welcoming loyal listeners to his new show on Newstalk without a peep about the past.
“Good morning and welcome and wherever you are, thank you very much for joining me for my first show on Newstalk,” he said.
A special welcome to those who have moved the dial. And to those who normally listen to the station at this time, my aim is to keep you entertained as well.
Meanwhile, back on RTÉ Radio One, O’Rourke was positively upbeat.
“It’s good to be back as intended on the 2 September but not quite as expected – three hours earlier than usual and for two hours every weekday. What a prospect.
I’ve been asked to follow a good act and today I send my very best wishes to Pat Kenny.
Listen back here
(For mobile users, click here)
(For mobile users, click here)
Keen ears will have heard a slight difference to the Today theme tune, confirmed by a radio producer following questions on Twitter.
(Even one from our own Michael Freeman)
The new version is, indeed, a bit jazzier.
The outfits
We know, we know. It’s radio so it is a tad unfair to include the category but first impressions and all that.
Pat unleashed the bit of the rebel in him, forgoing the suit jacket and tie, while Seán has the look of the First Years in school with his perfect tie and highlighter at the ready.
Image: Brian McEvoy
Jason Clarke Photography
The Guests
It was a mixed reaction to Pat’s guests. Some were unimpressed that the Bono interview was a pre-record. Others were just unimpressed by Bono.
But, there was general kudos given to him for the hard-hitting interview with ‘bankruptcy tourist’ and soon-to-be colleague Ivan Yates.
On the other side, Seán had a lovely chat with author Edna O’Brien about the late and great Seamus Heaney before Oliver Callan did some of his funny business.
During his piece, he referred to poor Pat as the ‘Dalkey Donkey’. Which seemed to go down quite well.
And raise the question of, who can Newstalk get to keep up?
So, that’s what all the fuss was about. Now then, who gets your vote?
Originally published 16:05
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Has Pat Kenny moved to Newstalk? Why has no-one reported this before?
Thought that was Enda, it’s all too much.
Blue shirt FM :-)
Thanks be to technology for internet radio.
At least on the Net you have choices.
Yeah he is there almost 2 years now
You’d think the journal would cover this story.. At least one article. Just to keep us informed is all. It’s not much to ask..
I wonder how day two will go.. Now that’s a story I’d love to read!
Wake up alan :-P
Snoozetalk messed up by having a prerecorded interview with that bore Bono on first.
He’s the king of Ireland!! How dare you!!
Saint Bono. He sounded like Cowen did a few years back, tired and emotional. The plonker.
King Ronnie Drew is dead. Bono isn’t but fit to tie his shoes.
And Ronnie wasn’t fit to tie Luke Kelly’s.
And luke never tied Bonos. Paradox.
Bono doesn’t wear shoes Dav. He wears sandals as clearly both he and his ego think he’s the messiah.
I guess he wears a crown too then? King of Ireland.
His Royal Arsehole will do Dav
There should be an option I’m at work and can’t listen in to either!
there should be a third option; Tom Dunne.
ZzZ.. No more Pat kenny articles please?.
Oolong pat Kenny bam a lam ohhhh pat Kenny bam a lam pat Kenny had a child bam a lam the damn thing gone wild bam a lam …. OHHH pat Kenny bam a lam…., and a shot of absolute vodka for me to numb the pain …. Again
The Plank v The Plonk.
Well they spent more time ‘on air’ today than the journal did. That’s for sure.
..slow news day?
Who cares? #shutrtenow
Yawn
There should be an option it that poll “I couldn’t give a monkies ” that’s what I would tick.
Is this story in the off-chance that anybody cares?
Stop trying to make news of this ripple in a pond. Why was there no box to tick for “neither” ?!?!?
Oh I can’t wait until The Late Late Show is back!!! Plus it’s only 114 sleeps to Christmas – woohoo
Neither they’re both shite, bring back Tom Dunne
There’s only one king of Irish radio and he has left the building, permanently.
Marty whelan?
RIP Mr.Ryan gone but never forgotton
God ya, poor Marty never saw that bus coming….
Please god stop reporting on this. Will there be a second and third battle? No one cares and the people who do care should be ashamed and lock themselves in a little black box somewhere out in a field in Laois and feel bad about themselves.
I was enjoying my life far too much to listen to either, spotify is the answer
I switched off Pat when he put some bishop on. Ok up to that, except for bono shitetalk.
Tuned into Anton Savage to avoid the hype but did sneak a short listen to Pat…didn’t sound any different to me so Ill just listen to him on the odd occasion and definitely not when he is tackling the ” lighter” issues.
Antonio Savage is anything but Savage!
I listened to Pat but just because I listen to Newstalk anyway. He was good. Don’t bother with RTE much. Has an awful smack of pseudo holy vocational jobs for the boys cronyism off it. Quite partial to a bit of Lynsey Dolan on sunshine FM too.
Pat sounded ok to me. Hopefully though he won’t settle into that Newstalk slump after a few months and start waffling about black and white 1950s westerns or whatever. Hook, Tom Dunne and others have a tendency to let their egos get the better of them and waffle for hours about themselves.
RTE still has the whiff of being back in school when you listen to it. Less a radio station than a collection of odd ball teachers from the 1980s. I’ll still stick with BBC for my main listening though until Irish radio gets a bit more ‘mature’ – still seems a tad adolescent to me.
I didnt listen to either, because of the whole “having something to do” thing, but kudos to O’Rourke if he, as the article implies, managed to broadcast evidence of Oliver Callan being funny. That truly would be a radio first, and would ensure RTE won this particular clash hands down, due to the unexpected content if nothing else.
There’s a full page poster of PK in yesterdays times! Holey moley when will it end
I was listening to a bit of both this morning and every time I did they both were either talking about Dublin football or Seamus HeaneyI but that’s newstalk for ya who only try to copy RTE
Never really listen to RTE1 but did this morning. When I heard Des Cahill I remembered why I never really listen to RTE1. Pat was the definite winner.
Just not impressed that the fabulous Tom Dunne has been kicked off his morning show for Pat the wally. This loyal listener switched off at 10am and will not be listening in anymore. It is tragic, it really is :-(
Where is the “neither” button?
this is free advertising
Where’s the who cares option? I’m incensed!
Bring back Tom Dunne as quick as possible………..
Where’s the option in the poll for “Neither” ?
Perhaps they are just trolling us now, and that the angriest comments will end up on the DailyEdge.ie?
Irish radio is complete rubbish. All of it. It’s embarrassing really.
Sean Moncreif is excellent. As is Ian Dempsey.
Love Ian Dempsey, he’s great, a real natural and to all appearances quite unassuming… Never listen to the plank no matter what station he’s on, as for RTE never listen to that either…give us a break, really, the vast majority couldn’t give a crap myself included!
Phantom is pretty cool
Two government propaganda agents two government stations blue shirt propaganda at it finest not worth listening to never mind believing
I could not sleep today so I put pat Lenny on and by 10.10 zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Z
Kenny even
Nah lenny was funny.
Pants up….
Here we go, clearly pat Kenny has won since the journal flood the place with pat Kenny articles. There’s your winner.
Tom Dunne was like Womans Hour. Not a bad thing in itself.
3rd option . I through on a cd ..
Tuned into RTE delighted that the plank is gone. Then they started on about dead poets and rugby. Enough to make a grown man cry so tuned into Q102….happy music, happy me.
David Frost dies at the w’end and the Irish media is obsessed with these lightweights???
Roll on the new morning talk show on 98fm where listeners get a chance to voice their opinions on the subjects of the day.
RTE and Newstalk presenters love the sound of their own voices and the one sided debates that they have with with so called experts!
They cannot even be bothered to read out telephone and text comments that listeners have sent in on issues that have been spoken about.
At last, a poll without that stupid choice of I don’t know!!!!! ;)
The sooner Ray and Jenny’s honeymoon is over the better.
No fault to Anton “The Suit” Savage
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