Rachael English is an Irish broadcaster and writer. Known for presenting Five Seven Live for six years, English has also presented other radio shows, such as RTÉNews at One,Today with Pat Kenny, The Marian Finucane Show and The Late Debate as well as a permanent presenter of Morning Ireland and Saturday View. In 2011, Kim Bielenberg said in the Irish Independent that English would be "a natural replacement for Sean O'Rourke if he ever moved on".
Rachael English was born in Lincolnshire, where her mother, Ruth, was raised. She grew up in Shannon before going on to study Communication Studies in the Dublin City University. English is married to financial journalist, Eamon Quinn. In October 2008, she was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid. She is on medication for the thyroid problem, possibly for the rest of her life, and has stated that at some point she plans to treat the lump she still has in her throat.
Broadcasting career
English debuted her career in 1989 as a presenter on new radio station, Clare FM. She briefly worked for the public relations company owned by RTÉ broadcaster Bill O'Herlihy, then moved to RTÉ 2fm as a newsreader in August 1991. She was brought into the News at One at the Christmas of that year when no other staff were available. From there she stood for presenters on Morning Ireland, Five Seven Live and Today with Pat Kenny. In June 2000, she became the presenter of Five Seven Live. In her time on the programme she won the PPI award for her covering of the September 11 attacks. Her father also featured on the show, providing horse racing Cheltenham tips for her listeners. After six years in the job, she left the programme in August 2006. Her programme was replaced by Mary Wilson's Drivetime. Other work in RTÉ includes election coverage on radio since 2002, 2004 Summer Olympics, the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and several major news events including the September 11 attacks. She presented The Late Debate on RTÉ Radio 1 until 2010, and was a substitute when Marian Finucane was not able to present her weekend radio show, The Marian Finucane Show. In August 2009, it was announced she would present the programme Saturday View, as 25-year presenter Rodney Rice retired. She became a permanent presenter of Morning Ireland in October 2010.
Writing career
She signed a two-book deal with Orion in 2012 and has published a total of five novels. Her fifth novel, The Paper Bracelet, will be the first to be published in America.
