Doireann Ní Bhriain facts for kids

Doireann Ní Bhriain (born in 1952) is a well-known Irish radio producer. She started her career as a journalist for radio and TV. She even began by reading stories for children on television! Doireann worked for RTÉ, Ireland's main broadcaster, for over 20 years. She is famous for her work on RTÉ Radio 1. Many people know her as a reporter for the radio show Women Today. She also presented the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 in Dublin. In 1993, she won a special award called a Jacob's Award for her radio work.

Early Life and Education

Doireann Ní Bhriain was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1952. She was the first of three children. Her mother, Neasa Ní Annracháin, was an actress. Her father, Seán Ó Briain, worked for the government.

Doireann started broadcasting when she was only eight years old! She was in a radio play with her mother, who was part of the Radio Éireann Players. Doireann speaks both Irish and English very well. She studied French and Spanish at the University College Dublin.

Starting Her Career (1972–1981)

Doireann Ní Bhriain began working for RTÉ in 1972. Her first job was presenting children's TV shows. Later, she co-presented a magazine show called Tangents. She became one of the first Irish women to report on current events. She also presented Féach, a main show in the Irish language.

In 1976, Doireann took a break from journalism. She spent a year in Kenya, teaching at a school. When she returned in 1979, she became a reporter for the important radio show Women Today. This show was first hosted by Marian Finucane. Doireann later became the presenter of the show herself.

Hosting Eurovision 1981

Doireann Ní Bhriain is most famous outside Ireland for presenting the Eurovision Song Contest 1981. This big music competition was held in Dublin. The beautiful dress she wore was designed by Richard Lewis. Her gold jewellery was made by Mary Grey.

In an interview in 2004, she said she presented it "for a laugh." She was chosen because she was well-known and could speak French and Irish easily. She also mentioned that there were no teleprompters back then. She had to memorize everything! Doireann also provided the radio commentary for the 1991 Contest for RTÉ.

Radio Work (1981–1993)

After Eurovision, Doireann left RTÉ again. She went to Paris to study journalism. When she came back, she co-presented The Women's Programme with Marian Finucane. This was a new and important show about current affairs.

She also worked in the RTÉ newsroom in Belfast. There, she met her husband, Andy Pollak. Doireann also presented the Book Programme on RTÉ Radio 1. In the late 1980s, she started learning about radio production. She then worked as a producer for The Arts Show. She also produced several radio documentaries. In 1983, she won another Jacob's Award for her documentary called 'Moving Statues'.

Doireann left RTÉ in 1993. She went to France to manage a festival called L'Imaginaire Irlandais. She lived between Dublin and Paris until the festival ended in 1996.

Career in the 2000s

In the 2000s, Doireann Ní Bhriain worked in arts project management. She became an expert in managing festivals and cultural tourism. She also kept working as an independent radio producer. She produced shows about volunteering, different religions in Ireland, and city development. She made documentaries for RTÉ radio and Raidió na Gaeltachta.

In recent years, she has focused on training people for voice and presentation. She also does independent radio production and voiceover work for TV in both English and Irish. Today, you can hear Doireann Ní Bhriain's voice on the Luas. The Luas is the tram system in Dublin, and she provides the recorded announcements in both Irish and English.

See also

• List of Eurovision Song Contest presenters