WEALTH October 9, 2025 0 Comments

Ray D’Arcy’s RTÉ Paycheck Revealed: What His Sudden Exit Means for His Wallet and the Network’s Future

So, Ray D’Arcy’s calling it quits at RTÉ after wrapping up his last show on Radio 1 this Wednesday — and man, that’s a big move that’s got the Irish airwaves buzzing. I mean, this guy’s been the steady voice in your afternoon since 2014, not to mention his Saturday night chat gigs that had folks tuning in from 2015 to 2019 before Tommy Tiernan snagged the spotlight. But here’s the kicker: his show’s audience dipped, missing out on the top 20 listeners list, and RTÉ’s decision not to include The Ray D’Arcy Show in their future? That’s bound to leave some folks wondering—what’s next for a broadcaster who’s been a fixture for over a decade? Shay Byrne’s stepping in the slot for now, but the future’s got that usual cloak of mystery. Ray, on the other hand, wore his disappointment openly and is already thinking about the causes he’s championed and what’s coming next. So, what happens when a seasoned pro known for spotlighting mental health, addiction, and poignant stories, decides to step away? Does this shake up the Irish media scene or pave the way for new opportunities? Either way, it’s a seismic shift—and you can bet there’s more beneath the surface than meets the ear. LEARN MORE

Ray D’Arcy is to leave RTÉ after presenting his final show on RTÉ Radio 1 on Wednesday, the national broadcaster has announced.

The presenter has hosted The Ray D’Arcy Show, his weekday afternoon programme on Radio 1, since rejoining RTÉ in 2014.

He also presented a Saturday night chat show of the same name on RTÉ television from 2015 to 2019 before he was replaced in the timeslot by Tommy Tiernan.

Shay Byrne will fill D’Arcy’s place for the rest of the week, and RTÉ said it would confirm its future plans “soon”.

“I would like to sincerely thank Ray for his contribution to RTÉ Radio 1 over the last eleven years.,” said Patricia Monahan, director of audio at RTÉ.

“While The Ray D’Arcy Show is not part of our future plans, we wish him well in his future endeavours.”

According to the latest JNLR figures, The Ray D’Arcy show had an audience of 182,000 in the 12 months to June 2025, a decline 10,000 from the previous survey.

The programme failed to make the list of the top 20 most popular radio shows by listenership.

In a statement shared with Extra.ie, D’Arcy said he was “hugely disappointed” with RTÉ’s handling of his departure.

“I’ve been with Radio 1 for the past 11 years. In that time, I have worked with some brilliant people. I want to thank them. I also want to thank all the regulars on the show, the guests and the wonderful loyal listeners.’

“I am particularly proud of how the show championed the stories and causes of people like Catherine Corless, Erica Fleming, Katriona O’Sullivan and the late Vicky Phelan.

“I am also very proud of how we highlighted mental health and addiction issues over the years – these are areas I will continue to be active in.

“I love radio and daily radio is part of who I am. I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

D’Arcy started his career with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta in 1985 and later moved into television, presenting The Den from 1990-98 and programmes such as Blackboard Jungle and You’re a Star.

He presented The Ray D’Arcy Show on Today FM from 1998 to 2014, winning Best Irish DJ at the Meteor Awards three times during his run with the station.

In 2015, D’Arcy earned a salary of €400,000, making him the second-highest-earning RTÉ presenter after Ryan Tubridy (€495,000).

The following year his salary increased by €50,000 to €450,000, and it remained the same in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The Kildare native’s annual pay then dropped to €305,000 in 2020 and 2021 following the end of his eponymous television programme before declining again to €250,000 in 2022.

His salary remained the same in 2023, making him the ninth-highest-earning RTÉ employee behind top earner Joe Duffy (€351,000), who also left the company this year.

RTÉ executives Adrian Lynch (€286,926), Richard Waghorn (€281,750), Eimear Cusack (€274,815), Deirdre McCarthy (€273,490) and Paul Mullooly (€260,160) were also listed ahead of D’Arcy.

As were Claire Byrne (€280,000), who will depart for Newstalk next year, and RTÉ mainstay Miriam O’Callaghan (€263,500).

RTÉ is yet to publish its list of top earners for 2024.

During the first nine years of his latest stint with RTÉ, D’Arcy earned around €3.3m before tax.

His current salary is in line with the €250,000 cap set by director-general Kevin Bakhurst in the wake of the payments controversy in 2023.

Speaking last year, D’Arcy revealed his displeasure at his salary details being published and the anger he felt at the payments saga.

“I felt angry at the time, and at a human level I felt sorry for the people involved because they all have families and commitments, but I felt very angry,” he told RTÉ Guide.

“RTÉ is a hugely important institution in Ireland, and I’ve worked here on and off for 36 years.

“I love it here and I know what it can do when it works well,” he added.

Accounts for D’Arcy’s production company WhatNext Productions Ltd show a loss of €8,840 in 2023, eroding accumulated profits made by the firm to €4,124.

Photo: Ray D’Arcy. (Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie)