By Michelle Townsend
Copyright rsvplive
Mary Wilson’s daughter is following in her mum’s footsteps with a thriving media career.
The veteran presenter hung up her mic from Morning Ireland last week after making the decision to retire from RTÉ.
Mary said she always knew she wanted a career in journalism from a young age as the news was always on in her house growing up.
Read more: RTÉ confirms new presenters will be joining Morning Ireland after two hosts exit
Read more: Mary Wilson on regrets, early mornings, TV and radio pals and whether she’d replace Eileen Dunne
It looks like history is repeating itself for her daughter Aoife, 28, whom she shares with her ex-husband and RTÉ sports reporter Tony O’Donoghue.
“Aoife works in communications,” Mary said.
“God love her, she couldn’t avoid it, could she, with a father and mother in the business.
“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.”
Finishing a stellar career in broadcasting on Morning Ireland was a full circle moment for Mary.
She told the RTÉ Guide: “Do you know that my 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.”
Mary explained her reasons for retiring, telling the publication: “I have had a great 35 years in RTÉ, doing the jobs I’ve wanted to do.
“But I’ve always felt strongly that you shouldn’t hog the great jobs.
“And now it’s time for me to make way for others.”
As for what’s next, Mary said: “I don’t have plan, but I have quite a full life outside of RTÉ.”
Mary and fellow journalist Aine Lawlor signed off from Morning Ireland last Wednesday.
During her final moments on the show she said: “I’ve been asked many, many times over the last few days, people have asked me again and again how do I feel. I didn’t know how I felt, and it forced me to think about it.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have had 35 wonderful years working with this organisation, working with incredible editors, reporters, broadcast co-ordinators, producers, and sound engineers who keep us on air day after day.
“It has been absolutely fantastic. Thank you to the listeners who have continued to tune in.
“They tell us when we do something right – most importantly, they tell us when we do something wrong.”
