Broadcaster and journalist Sean O'Rourke has presented the final edition of his radio programme on RTÉ Radio 1, marking the end of his 25-year career in news and current affairs with the national broadcaster.
There were many good wishes from listeners and tributes from the President, Taoiseach and other political leaders.
President Michael D Higgins thanked Sean O'Rourke for his enormous contribution to journalism and public service broadcasting, saying "we will miss your voice and your insights and being able to refer to matters and people having been on Sean O'Rourke".
After the show as he said a socially distant farewell to colleagues outside the radio centre, Sean, who turns 65 this month, said "I'm feeling fantastic, I have never worked a day in my life from the time I went into the Connacht Tribune in 1973 right up to today. I'm not finished working yet I'd like to do the 50 years, I've done 47."
He said he had been fortunate to witness some great moments in Ireland and abroad, citing the first democratic elections in South Africa as a particular career highlight.
Asked if he would be back on the airwaves soon, perhaps working on a election as he had joked in his thank-you speech to colleagues, he said "I don't know if I'll be working on an election that's not for me to say or to control or decide but I do hope to be on the airwaves again.
"I do expect to broadcast again as long as RTÉ want me to broadcast I'm certainly available for anything they want me to do."
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Sean O'Rourke said he felt good about retirement: "There was never going to be an easy time to step back but it feels right. I'm coming up on 65 I've had a great innings. I've had wonderful colleagues and it's maybe time to do a few other things so I've no regrets and I've never believed in hanging on and just keeping on going until someone taps you on the shoulder so yeah, I'm good about it."
In the 1980s, he began his broadcasting career with RTÉ and has presented Morning Ireland, This Week and News at One, as well as The Week in Politics.
Mr O'Rourke began working as a journalist with the Connacht Tribune in 1973 and later joined the Irish Press.
RTÉ broadcaster and journalist Sean O'Rourke signed off from @TodaySor for the final time today | Read more: https://t.co/to473zmsVB pic.twitter.com/YBHSmXAiSE
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 8, 2020
