Claire Byrne ‘battens down the hatches’ as her family gets even bigger
BROADCASTER Claire Byrne is now ‘battening down the hatches’ as she adjusts to life as a mother of three. The RTÉ presenter, pictured, revealed she gave birth to her third child with husband Gerry Scollan, a daughter named Emma, last week.
The Co. Laois-born anchor, who exchanged vows with other half Gerry in a private ceremony in Dublin in June 2016, gave birth at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin last Wednesday and is now resting at home with the newborn.
Current affairs host Byrne, 41, told the Irish Daily Mail yesterday that there’s been ‘great excitement’ in their house over the past few days and that her other children – threeyear-old Patrick and two-year-old Jane – were delighted to meet their new sibling.
‘Patrick and Jane are thrilled with their new sister,’ she said. ‘I had another great experience in Holles Street and admire everyone there so much for the job they do in tough conditions.
‘For the next while, we are going to batten down the hatches and adjust to our new lives as a family of five.’
Byrne and Gerry decided to keep the sex of their baby a surprise this time around. The presenter, whose TV programme Claire Byrne Live and RTÉ Radio 1 slot Saturday with Claire Byrne are ratings hits for the national broadcaster, announced news of her pregnancy in January.
Former Newstalk host Byrne is due back in front of the cameras and on the airwaves within three months.
A spokesperson for RTÉ confirmed that another season of Claire Byrne Live will kick off on September 11. Byrne returned to work ten weeks after giving birth to her second child and said earlier this year that she hopes to follow the same pattern this time around.
‘Experience has taught me that in the early stages of motherhood it is easier for me to go back to work quickly,’ she said.
‘The problems start when the children are older and they need you more. Gerry is generally at home with the children when I’m at my busiest in work. It is always going to be difficult.’
Byrne previously said that at one time she thought a family was not on the cards for her.
‘I feel really lucky that this is the way my life has worked out,’ she said. ‘I look at my children and am constantly surprised that I have them, because I had reached a point where I thought that I really wouldn’t have children in my life.’
She added: ‘I didn’t really want a big family but Gerry comes from a big family and wanted a big family. The number in his head was always four, but I’ll stick with three as good compromise.’