THE BIG SUNDAY READ
EXCLUSIVE MAIREAD Ronan said the Covid-19 pandemic was the catalyst that prompted her to walk away from her dream radio job on Today FM.
BY SIOBHAN O’CONNOR
The 42-year-old Dubliner said it was “empowering” to leave the station where she’d worked for almost two decades on her own terms.
Before landing her own lunchtime show Mairead had produced for Ian Dempsey and Ray D’arcy who she remains great friends with.
Her surprise departure earlier this year at a time when her radio show was at its peak sent shockwaves through the industry.
She told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “It was very good of Today FM to let me go the way I did and let me do it on air.
“To tell that story... they really supported me and they were shocked.
Most people wait to be fired because nobody really leaves media gigs ever.
“But look, Claire Byrne did it with her TV gig recently.
“I probably never would have left Today FM if Covid didn’t happen.
“I was too scared, too afraid of failure and the whole thing of ego.” Mairead said as a former producer she never feared being axed because “when you’re in production you don’t get the chop”.
But the Ireland’s Fittest Family presenter does harbour worries over being replaced on TV.
She said: “I have that side on telly, I feel I could be replaced and you can be replaced in five minutes.”
Mairead has a savvy business head on her with her hair brand, Faro, growing.
She revealed: “We have our own warehouse now. We’re going into Arnotts now
I was too scared, too afraid of failure and the whole thing of ego MAIREAD RONAN ON HER DECISION OVER TODAY FM