Teresa Mannion opens up on real reason behind RTÉ departure

Teresa Mannion has opened up about her upcoming retirement - saying she decided to leave RTÉ after over 40 years because 'it just felt right.' The news correspondent has been a recognisable face on Irish television for decades. And many knew her from her hard work at RTÉ - she became a household name for much different reasons in 2015 from the now famous 'Don't Make Unnecessary Journeys' clip of her reporting in Storm Desmond. The video - which was shared on social media circles across Ireland and abroad at the time - was recently reshared by RTÉ ahead of her retirement, with the broadcaster describing it as the moment she became a "viral sensation." But now however, Teresa's time in the limelight is coming to an end as she has confirmed she is stepping down from her role as RTÉ's West of Ireland reporter. In the past, staff at the station were forced to retire at 65 due to the broadcaster's previous policy. However, following the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025, which states that workers with contractual retirement ages lower than the State pension age have the right to request to stay on the job, this policy was changed. Speaking about the decision to leave, Teresa admitted she felt her age made the decision for her, as she felt her body was telling her it was time to step back. "(It was) my age. No, I have a staff job in RTÉ, but there is a new thing now where it is not up to your employer - you can decide to stay on yourself - but certainly my Head of News was happy for me to stay on... There was no issue there at all. It was totally my own decision to decide to go at 65," she told Evoke. "I was born the same year as RTÉ television in 1961. They've been my work family all my life." Opening up about her reason for choosing to retire, she joked she felt her joints made the decision for her, adding: "I love the job, and I love so much about RTÉ. I had a great career there. It was actually a decision taken because I was not having any big issues as such... just issues with my joints. My knees. "I am definitely cut out for the road. I love the road, and I do a lot of driving and trekking, and meeting people non-stop, but I actually got to the point where I thought this is still a young person's game. Age creeps up on you. I can't believe my age." She went on to explain that it was right to make way for other people to climb the ladder at the station too: "There is a time when there is a natural order of things to say move aside and watch other people develop and shine. "I'm looking at younger people coming in, and you just see the whole media landscape changing, and I feel like I have had a really good innings in RTÉ, 65 on September 15, I just feel like it's right. Once I decided, I was very happy with my decision," she added. "I'm going to retirement parties every week. My friends are all retiring... It's a nice part of life - if your health is good - to finally say you know, put yourself first." She also shared her possible plans for retirement with the RTE Guide as she's considering a trip to Japan and the prospect of becoming a lecturer, though she didn't rule out further television work. Teresa will sign off for the final time around the middle of August, before celebrating her 65th birthday in September.