David McCullagh explained

David McCullagh
Birth Date:1 December 1967
Education:University College Dublin
Occupation:Journalist
Spouse:Anne-Marie Smyth
Children:1

David McCullagh (born 1 December 1967) is an Irish journalist, author and presenter with RTÉ, Ireland's national radio and television station, where he has presented the Today with David McCullagh show on RTÉ Radio 1 since November 2025. He previously co-presented the Six One News from 2020 to 2025,[1] Prime Time from 2013 to 2020,[2] and was political correspondent with RTÉ News.[3]

Career

He began his journalistic career working for the Evening Press. In 2001, he was political correspondent with RTÉ, along with David Davin-Power.[4] He presents Behind Closed Doors on RTÉ One which details released State Documents. He has also presented The Week in Politics[5] and election and referendum programmes on RTÉ. He was appointed to present the current affairs programme, Prime Time, in September 2013.

In 1999, he won a prize under the category 'TV features and documentaries' in the ESB national media awards.[6] He has also written the book A Makeshift Majority: The first inter-party government, 1948-51, and a biography of John A. Costello. The Reluctant Taoiseach: A Biography of John A Costello, was launched in 2010.[7]

On 31 August 2020, McCullagh began presenting the Six One News alongside Caitríona Perry.[1]

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, McCullagh interviewed the Russian ambassador to Ireland Yury Anatoliyevich Filatov on , asking him pointed questions about Russia's deception prior to the invasion and the unprovoked, aggressive nature of the invasion. The interview was widely praised.[8] [9]

In September 2022, McCullagh was named as one of four presenters to host Monday Night Live, a new eight-part current affairs panel series on RTÉ One, beginning on 3 October.[10]

In August 2025, McCullagh was named as the successor to Claire Byrne as the presenter for Today With... on RTÉ Radio 1, and began in November.[11] [12] He signed off from the Six One News on 31 October.[13]

In September 2025, he hosted a series on Éamon de Valera.[14]

Bibliography

Personal life

McCullagh attended Newpark Comprehensive School and studied politics in University College Dublin. He holds a PhD in the subject.[15] [16]

McCullagh is married to journalist Anne-Marie Smyth; they have one daughter, Rosie.

Notes and References

  1. News: 31 August 2020 . David McCullagh joins Caitríona Perry on RTÉ's Six One News . 31 August 2020 . RTÉ News and Current Affairs.
  2. News: 4 September 2013 . New role for David McCullagh as RTÉ's Prime Time presenter . RTÉ News and Current Affairs.
  3. News: Miriam Lord . 27 June 2009 . TDs learn not to distract revitalised Taoiseach . 6 January 2010 . The Irish Times.
  4. News: Daniel McConnell . 27 April 2008 . US snub for RTÉ political combo . 6 January 2010 . Irish Independent.
  5. News: 17 April 2003 . McDowell's lofty perch . 6 January 2010 . The Irish Times.
  6. News: 2 November 1999 . Moloney wins ESB Journalist of the Year award . 6 January 2010 . The Irish Times.
  7. News: John Bruton . John Bruton . 9 October 2010 . Costello: the forgotten taoiseach . 18 October 2010 . The Irish Times.
  8. Web site: 25 February 2022 . Russian Ambassador to Ireland defends invasion amid calls to expel him . RTÉ.
  9. Web site: Harrington . Eoin . 26 February 2022 . International Praise For David McCullagh After Interview With Russian Ambassador . Balls.ie.
  10. News: 22 September 2022 . RTÉ Launches New Eight-Part Series – Monday Night Live . 22 September 2022 . RTÉ.ie.
  11. Web site: 1 September 2025 . RTÉ's David McCullagh reveals radio salary and how he accepted job offer on way to airport . subscription . 2025-09-24 . . en.
  12. Web site: Dunne . Alex . Carter . Erica . 30 August 2025 . RTE set to announce new Liveline presenter soon following Joe Duffy retirement . 2025-09-24 . . en.
  13. Web site: Jewell . Bryony . 1 November 2025 . 'A funny old day' David McCullagh gets sweet send off from Six One family . 2 November 2025 . Evoke.ie.
  14. News: Power . Ed . 3 September 2025 . Dev - Rise and Rule review: Chatty, well-made series fails to decode Éamon de Valera . . en.
  15. News: Behind Closed Doors: Presenter . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200755/https://www.rte.ie/tv/behindcloseddoors/presenter.html . 3 March 2016 . 3 July 2020 . RTÉ News and Current Affairs.
  16. Web site: Gill and Macmillan - History - The Reluctant Taoiseach . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101205081116/http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/history/history/the-reluctant-taoiseach . 5 December 2010 . 18 October 2010 . Gill and Macmillan.

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