Doireann Garrihy talks missing 2FM, controversies, and bullies on Late Late Show

Doireann Garrihy is back and better than ever on RTÉ!

The 32-year-old Dublin native appeared on the Late Late Show last night, February 21, to discuss her much-anticipated return to 2FM with her new drivetime show, and also spoke candidly about some controversies she faced, and the bullying she experienced as a teenager. 

Ms Garrihy is due to return to RTÉ's 2FM this coming Monday with her new weekday drivetime show, airing from 3pm to 5pm. This news comes just nine months after her departure from the broadcaster.

Speaking on this, Doireann told host Patrick Kilety, "I'd done five years and just needed a break. I took a leap of faith and took a break. I knew I would miss it, I just didn't think I'd miss it so much."

The presenter left in May of 2024, with multiple others following suit. This led to controversy, with viewers and listeners wondering why so many people were packing it in. 

Doireann confirmed that there was no drama behind these decisions, saying, "I said I was leaving, and then a number of different presenters left so it was a weird time. I wasn't surprised by the amount of publicity around it. I hadn't spoken to the others at all, so I didn't know they were going as well." 

Noting that the timing of these notices "was strange," the Dubliner came under heat while working for RTÉ also, due to a paid Instagram post for Flahavan's porridge. 

"I made a mistake," Doireann said. "I have a responsibility working for the national broadcaster. I shouldn't have done it. I was reprimanded at the time. I apologised. You live and you learn."

Reflecting on these sensitive times, the recently married broadcaster shared an insight into other tough times she faced; being bullied while at school. 

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On this, Ms Garrihy said, "It was in secondary school, around the time that Bebo was a big thing, and I think it comes with being a teenager as well. Sometimes you're in the firing line and sometimes you're not. I happened to be for about two years." 

Crediting her parents, she continued, "My parents were amazing around that time. They've always been good at asking what is going on and sitting us down every day and asking is there anything you want to say to us or tell us,

"I had a rough time in fourth and fifth year and I'm really glad it wasn't in my pocket because mobile phones weren't a big thing back then," she said. 

However, Doireann still has to deal with her fair share of trolls, as her Instagram boasts 340,000 followers.

She said, "It hasn't been too bad, they are few and far between. For the most part, social media has been a really positive place for me,

"I had built an Instagram and Snapchat community before I even started on 2FM, and they've been amazing, but of course you're going to get the 1%,

"You develop a thick skin and of course not everyone is going to like you, no matter what walk of life you're in and what job you're in, you can't please everyone. It's part of the game," she concluded. 

The broadcaster and presenter first began her career working as an entertainment report for Spin 1038, and also did traffic reports for 2FM. It was the making her RTÉ web series 'The Doireann Project' which saw her career truly launch. 

If you missed the Late Late Show, you can watch on the RTÉ player here.