Tracy Clifford Leaves 2FM After 10 Years in Schedule Shake-Up | Irish News

Tracy Clifford is departing her afternoon slot on RTÉ 2FM after a decade with the station, as the Irish broadcaster announced a significant schedule shake-up on Thursday, April 2, 2026. While Clifford is leaving the afternoon slot, RTÉ confirmed she remains with the company and will be involved in new projects, including a move into television.

The changes, set to take effect on May 5th, will see a revamped daytime lineup, with 2FM Breakfast with Carl Mullan, Roz Purcell and Aisling Bonner extended to 10am. Doireann Garrihy will then present 2FM Morning until noon.

Demi Isaac and Mikey O’Reilly will take over the afternoon slot, presenting 2FM Afternoon from 12pm to 3pm. Isaac will broadcast from RTÉ’s Cork studios, while O’Reilly will be based in Dublin. The pair were selected following an expressions-of-interest competition held across the station last year, according to RTÉ.

Clifford announced her departure on Instagram, stating she felt “a little nudge for a while now to try new things.” She described her time hosting “The Big Tune Afternoon” as “such a privilege” and something she would “always be so proud of.” She also emphasized her continued relationship with RTÉ, adding, “I’m staying within the RTÉ radio family,” and “dipping a toe into telly.”

“Tracy Clifford very much remains part of the RTÉ family and details will be announced in due course.”

RTÉ statement

Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, thanked Clifford for her decade of work at the station, acknowledging that she and her team had produced “great radio.” He also expressed his pride in the new schedule, stating it was the result of “a huge amount of thought, research, creativity and collaboration” to create a lineup that is “fresh, engaging and truly reflective of the audiences we serve in Ireland.”

Clifford also voiced her support for Isaac and O’Reilly, expressing her excitement for listeners to hear “the next chapter of afternoons on 2FM.” She praised their “unmistakable spark” and described it as “infectious.”

The Irish Times reported that Clifford had previously expressed pride in her show, particularly as a female broadcaster hosting an afternoon slot in what she described as a “very precarious market.” In an interview published last month, she stated, “I feel proud as a female broadcaster, for a show that is on in the afternoons. It’s kind of unheard of in a very precarious market.”

The schedule changes represent a significant shift for 2FM, aiming to revitalize its daytime programming with new voices and an extended breakfast show. While Clifford’s departure marks the end of an era for her dedicated listeners, RTÉ emphasizes her continued presence within the organization and her upcoming ventures into television.

The move comes after a period of evaluation and planning for the station, with Healy highlighting the extensive work that went into shaping the new lineup. The aim is to deliver a listening experience that is both “authentic and inclusive” for audiences across Ireland.