Sharon Ní Bheoláin recalls a very helpful Anne Doyle on her first day reading the news in RTÉ.
What do you remember about your first day in RTÉ?
‘Surreal’, I think, just about sums it up, I had met the then Eagarthóir Nuachta, Padraic Ó Gaora some weeks earlier at the launch of the then Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D Higgins', book of poetry. Padraic invited me to screen test for Cinnlínte Nuachta, the short headline bulletin at lunchtime. I duly chanced my arm and nearly passed out when I got the call back a week later to go on air.
I recall feeling quite the imposter in the newsroom, surrounded by ‘stars’ like Doyler and Mary Kennedy, Diggy Duignan and Eamonn Lawlor, and there was me a mute, crippled by shyness with barely my bus fare in my pocket to get me home!
Honestly, when I recall my first on air day in the Newsroom, it’s the kindness of Anne Doyle that comes to mind. As I stood petrified in Studio 3, willing my legs to take the few steps to the newsdesk, Doyler was there nudging me on: ‘piece of cake, dear child’ she cooed, those were her exact words. There she was by my side batting away authoritatively, yet gently, any panic I had about sneezing, freezing or collapsing in a heap on air. ‘Nonsense, you’ll be mighty’, she said. Naturally I didn’t believe her, but I got though it, I guess. Doyler is a trooper like that.
Who was the biggest inspiration in your early career?
I’m not the impressionable type. I can’t remember if I had a role model figure. I was dazzled by Doyler, who oozed glam and confidence, the two traits I figured I most lacked! Sean Duignan’s style on air I loved. He was über-natural and unfazed; he had a very special self-contained quality about him. There was no performance, no drama, no fake flourishes. He was the anchor without the ego, delivering the news in an almost personal way, if that makes sense? He was/is an absolute gentleman, always approachable. I remember chatting to him on one occasion and confiding in him that I didn’t think I was newscaster material, and while I enjoyed working in radio and writing, this TV lark mightn’t be for me! He told me to stop fussing about what I perceived as my shortcomings and be myself. ‘Copy no one’, he said, ‘always be yourself’. I’ve never forgotten that advice. Seventeen years on I think they were the wisest few words anyone has given me. Like me or loathe me, I’m very much my own person.
What has been your proudest/most memorable moment on screen?
I’m far too modest to recall any great moments of pride.
. . . and you most embarrassing?
Do you think I want to live that one again on the pages of the RTÉ Guide?
Which TV shows are you taking to your desert island?
They’ve got DVD players on desert islands these days?! I guess any of the gritty RTÉ drama series. Love/Hate is top quality. The recent Naked Election programmes, the Echo Island programme myself and Suzy, [my much loved and dearly missed labrador], guested on with the gorgeous Bláthnaid about 16 years ago, and The Den programme with Dustin the Turkey, in which my daughter Faye made her TV debut at the tender age of two months.
