Six One News co-presenter Caitríona Perry has announced she is leaving RTÉ after almost 16 years for a job in the US.
The journalist will depart at the end of the month to take up her new international role as chief presenter with the BBC based in Washington at the end of the summer.
It is understood a new co-presenter of the RTÉ Six One News will be announced very shortly.
Ms Perry said she was leaving with "a mix of sadness and excitement".
She added: "It is really hard to say goodbye. I have made great friends, worked with some incredibly talented people and had fantastic experiences and opportunities.
"I have reported from all over the world and had the chance to witness history in the making, particularly during my time as Washington Correspondent and as co-presenter of the Six One News.
"It was a tough decision to walk away from RTÉ. It is an institution in Irish life, but I have been offered an incredible opportunity.
"I wish to say a special thank you to the RTÉ audience, the viewers, listeners and readers who have afforded me the extraordinary privilege of being a public service broadcast journalist."
RTÉ News & Current Affairs Managing Director Deirdre McCarthy said: "Caitríona has been a hugely valued member of the RTÉ News team for over 15 years, as a journalist, a colleague and a friend.
"While we will miss her presenting RTÉ's flagship Six One News, we are so delighted for her to take up this huge international opportunity. We are very proud to see such a talented Irish journalist go on to succeed on a global news stage.
"From working across all desks and platforms in the RTÉ newsroom, to her hugely impactful time as Washington Correspondent, to her calm and diligent presenting of the news to audiences each evening during national highs and lows, Caitríona's hard work and journalistic ethic always shone through.
"She will be missed equally by audiences, but I know they will join me in wishing her well."
Ms Perry has co-presented RTÉ Six One News since January 2018.
She has also presented many RTÉ News Specials, including the 2020 US Presidential Elections and 2021 Inauguration, the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland, additional programmes during the pandemic, and most recently the visit to Ireland of US President Joe Biden.
She became RTÉ's Washington Correspondent in 2013 and covered major stories such as the US Presidential election and Inauguration of President Donald Trump, the Berkeley tragedy, and reported from across North America, Cuba and Haiti.
She has also been an occasional presenter of RTÉ Morning Ireland, Leaders' Questions and The Week in Politics, and produced and presented several special Nationwide programmes on Canada, Australia and the Irish in the White House.
She previously spent time as an editor and reporter on the News at One radio programme.
