Tommy Bowe returned to Ireland AM this morning, after taking some time off the show.
The former rugby player was missing from the programme all last week, and was temporarily replaced by Siomha Ni Ruairc and Ray Foley.
The 41-year-old took a break from the show to spend some quality time with his family over the Easter break.
Tommy and his wife Lucy, whom he’s been married to since 2015, jetted off on a sun holiday with their two children – Emma, 7, and Jamie, 4.
On Tuesday morning, Tommy finally reunited with his co-hosts Muireann O’Connell and Alan Hughes, who he presents the show with every Monday to Thursday.
Muireann celebrated Tommy’s return on her Instagram Story, by sharing a video with him in the studio.
Filming her co-host, she said, “Look who joined us again!” before Tommy replied, “I’m back… [it’s] nice to be back.”
Muireann jokingly asked, “Is it really?” and he responded, “Of course it is, yes. Good morning everybody!”
During his absence from the show, the Ireland AM team bid farewell to one of their longtime colleagues.
The show’s beloved weatherman and roving reporter Deric Hartigan was filming a live segment from Wicklow when he paid an emotional tribute to their departing colleague.
Deric prompted one of the show’s cameramen, Oisin Moran, to come on-screen, as he revealed it was his last day working on Ireland AM.
Huddling under an umbrella together, Deric said: “Can we have a bualadh bos and a big slán go fóill to our cameraman Oisin. We’ve worked together for how many years, Oisin?
“17 years and he’s leaving us today. He’s been on every highway and byway, every town, community and back.”
Oisin then said: “All over the country, a great experience.”
Deric continued: “So we wish Oisin all the best. Big wave for us Oisin.”
Muireann, who was back in the studio with Alan, also shared some kind words for the cameraman.
“He’s leaving lads, he pops up and now he’s going. You have been absolutely incredible,” she said.
“Everything that you’ve done with Deric, everything you do all over the place, we love you so much, we appreciate you and we hope that everything goes fantastically in the next phase of life.”
Meanwhile, Alan had a cheeky warning for Oisin as he joked: “Yes, well done Oisin. And all those stories and all those OBs, stay zipped.”
Muireann added: “Behind the screens, they’re the people that make Ireland AM without a shadow of a doubt. We love them so much.”
Deric shared a video of the heartwarming moment on Instagram, alongside the caption: “17 years working with Oisin Moran; my amazing cameraman.
“Thanks for been a superbly talented work colleague and friend!”
