Profile: Grainne Seoige

Born in Spiddal, Co Galway, Gráinne Seoige was raised conventionally by her father, Mairtín, a Garda, and her mother, Phil. A native Irish speaker from Inishmahon, Phil raised her children in a bilingual household. Gráinne Seoige's sister, Síle, is also a television presenter, currently working with RTÉ and TG4.

Gráinne Seoige attended Coláiste Chroí Mhuire in Spiddal, and later University College Galway, where she qualified with a degree in English, Sociology and Political Science and a higher diploma in Applied Communications for Television and Radio.

She has a 12 year old son and three years ago married TV3 reporter Stephen Cullinane. They honeymooned in Bali and from there she reported for TV3 News on the first terrorist bombings there, which occurred during her honeymoon.

Her first media job was as a news presenter in TG4. Her former boss, head of Nuacht TG4 Michael Lally, called her "one of the coolest and most professional people I have ever come across. From her time here, I could only heap the highest praise on her."

Her command of Irish was an obvious asset but so too were her unflappable interview style and her good looks. Inevitably she was poached away from TG4, first to TV3, who wanted her as the first face of their news programming. She presented, researched, wrote and edited (with others) its news bulletins at 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm and the nightly News Tonight. Her accomplished performances made her an obvious target for Sky News when it commenced its Irish news broadcasts. Her last days at TV3 were unhappy. She was required to work through her contractual two-month notice period and as she was about to go on air for the what she thought was her final TV3 broadcast she was informed abruptly that her designated successor, Claire Byrne, would do the bulletin.

Her professionalism with Sky News Ireland has given rise to speculation she may be recruited to join the London newsreading team but for now she is the cutting edge of Sky News in the Irish market.

Irish rapper, Collie, in a serenade to the bevy of attractive women news and weather presenters in Ireland – Sharon Ní Bheoláin, Claire Byrne, Collette Fitzpatrick, Elaine Crowley and Lorraine Keane – sang of the Sky News Irish anchor: "The Sky's Gráinne Seoige / If she wasn't married I'd love to get her kicking her bróga".