Claire Byrne has debuted a brand new hairstyle as she began her new role on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning.
The presenter was announced as the new host of RTÉ Radio 1’s Today programme last week, taking over from Sean O’Rourke.
As she started her first day on the job today, Claire showed off a stunning new look – as she cut her blonde locks into a short bob.
The 45-year-old spoke with Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the popular programme, where she questioned him about the golf-gate scandal.
People across Ireland took to Twitter to praise Sarah for her first day on the job, with one user writing: “And that is why Claire Byrne got that job.”
"Some people are wondering whether this Government survive", @TodayRadioRTE puts the question to the Taoiseach.
"It will survive" Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD replies.
Live blog: https://t.co/R0CsJx9QU6 pic.twitter.com/3Sr11rEOFV
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/ciaraphelan_/status/1297832437821702144
Congrats to Claire Byrne, she is one of the best political interviewers in media, asking tough and straightforward questions – this mornings show and interview of the Taoiseach was excellent.
— SusanL (@Susanlooby80L) August 24, 2020
Claire Byrne playing a blinder this morning @TodayRadioRTE 👏🏻👏🏻
— Vicki Notaro Carlyle 🍂 (@vickinotaro) August 24, 2020
Congrats to Claire Byrne @ClaireByrneLive on her first show in the 10am slot. A steady hand at the tiller!
— Liz Nugent (@lizzienugent) August 24, 2020
As expected, Claire Byrne is doing a good job on RTE Radio 1! #Laois
— Ryan McGinley (@DonMaginli) August 24, 2020
Credit where it’s due to Claire Byrne, that was a very strong first hour. She should have pushed the Taoiseach harder about the Gardaí using discretion re Phil Hogan, but aside from that it was a forensic and entertaining interview.
— Dónal O'Flynn (@donaloflynn) August 24, 2020
On Sunday, Claire slammed suggestions of a “war” between her and presenter Sarah McInerney as a “construct” – after Sarah missed out on the full-time role after covering Sean O’Rourke for months.
“People try to create these things all the time,” Claire told the Sunday Independent.
“Before it was me and Miriam (O’Callaghan), now it is me and Sarah. If I were a man, if Sarah was a man, nobody would say any of these things. This is a construct because we are women,” she added.
Speaking about landing the top-tier show, Claire said: “I know I am good enough”.