By Lauren Walsh

Copyright evoke

It may feel like we’re losing a lot of faces in the media world as a host of RTÉ presenters announce their retirement this year, but the future still seems bright, thanks to the new generation joining the industry.

One such new face has some pretty well-known parents to guide her along the way, as Mary Wilson revealed that her daughter, whom she shares with sports presenter Tony O’Donoghue, is following in her parents’ footsteps.

Their daughter Aoife is currently working in communications, with Mary pointing out that it was inevitable her child would get bitten by the bug.

‘Aoife works in communications. God love her, she couldn’t avoid it, could she, with a father and mother in the business,’ she told the RTÉ Guide.

She was raised surrounded by journalism, with her proud mum recalling how she was always very much aware of her parents’ jobs.

‘The child grew up with radios in every room, including the bathroom, and where she was told from a young age to stay quiet as I had to do a report for Morning Ireland,’ Mary said.

Mary retired from the national broadcaster last week after 35 years. She pointed out that it feels like a ‘full circle moment’ that she finished up as host of Morning Ireland, as her very first ever job in the RTÉ newsroom was working as a reporter on Morning Ireland.

‘So there’s that nice symmetry that my time with RTÉ ends with Morning Ireland,’ she explained.

Mary confirmed that it was entirely her own decision to walk away from the station, despite having the option to extend her stay. She added that it has been ‘a real privilege’ to work there for so many years.

‘I have enjoyed every minute of every hour that I have worked in RTÉ. It has been challenging and it has been fun and it has been wonderful to connect with so many listeners and viewers when I worked on TV,’ she told the Sunday Independent.

Mary’s co-host and close pal, Áine Lawlor, also retired from the show with Mary, though she will remain at the station for the foreseeable future.