Tánaiste Michéal Martin TD has visited the RTÉ Cork studio to join in the celebrations marking the Today show's tenth year broadcasting Leeside.
The Cork native was interviewed by presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Maura Derrane and answered questions sent in from viewers.
Today began transmission from Cork in the autumn of 2012 and at the end of this month, it will complete its 10th season and first decade on air.
It has broadcast over 1,500 episodes and featured around 10,000 guests from all walks of Irish life including the worlds of entertainment, music, comedy, fashion, and sport along with human interest stories.
The series has never missed a transmission date, despite the pandemic and storms. It has also transmitted extra episodes during national weather events to help keep the public informed.
Today has three presenters Dáithí Ó Sé, Maura Derrane on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and since 2020 Sinéad Kennedy joins Dáithí on the presenting couch on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin commented; '’I am delighted to be here today to join in the celebration’s marking Today's tenth anniversary broadcasting from Cork.
"Ten seasons is an incredible achievement and is testament to the phenomenal work of all involved on the show. It is fantastic to have such a popular show broadcast from Cork city and I would like to congratulate everyone on this significant milestone.’
Head of RTÉ Cork Colm Crowley said, ''On behalf of the whole Today family, I am thrilled that the Tánaiste could join us in the studio to celebrate this milestone.
"Despite pandemics and weather events, be it snowstorms or hurricanes, Today has never missed an episode - an incredible achievement and a testament to the Cork-based team.’’
Maura Derrane commented, ‘’It's amazing to reach such a fantastic milestone. We have a super team behind us here in RTÉ Cork and a very loyal audience, whom we listen to very carefully, and constantly adapt our show to suit their changing needs. We look forward to the next decade.’’
Speaking about the anniversary, Dáithí Ó Sé added, ‘’It’s brilliant to mark 10 seasons of Today with a visit from an Tánaiste Michéal Martin, I came down for a few months and stayed for 10 years. I think the fact the show is based outside Dublin gives it a different edge. Here's to ten more years.’’
According to TAM Ireland Ltd/Nielsen TAM, season 10 has been the most successful season to date, with an average audience of 100,000 viewers between 3.30pm and 5.40pm each day, peaking at 150,000 regularly.
