'Dobbo has left the building': Bryan Dobson bids listeners farewell on final broadcast

RTÉ presenter Bryan Dobson has told listeners “Dobbo has left the building” in his final broadcast on Friday.

Dobson is retiring after 37 years with the State broadcaster.

Signing off from RTÉ radio’s News at One programme on Friday afternoon, the 63-year-old said: “It’s been a great 37 years. But the time has come to say, if I can borrow a phrase, that ‘Dobbo has left the building’.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to Dobson on the programme and said he had been broadcasting “since probably before I was born”.

Mr Harris said he represented “the very best of public service broadcasting”, describing him as a brilliant, robust and thorough interviewer but “always fair and decent”.

“I would really just, on behalf of the people of Ireland today, thank you for your public service and wish you and your family the very best,” he said.

Dobson also used his final broadcast to thank his team at RTÉ for “making my job such a joy over the last few years”.

“Day after day, they come up with great story ideas, with fascinating guests and forensic questions. They make me sound good, for which I am very grateful,” he said.

“And that gratitude is due to all those I’ve worked with over thirty seven years in RTÉ, on Morning Ireland, on the Six One News, on the Nine O’Clock News, and on very many one-off news specials, documentaries and feature programmes.

“Broadcasting is a team game and I’ve been lucky to work with some of the best teams in this business.”

Dobson also spoke of his appreciation for the many guests he interviewed over the years, who “told their personal stories, shared their knowledge, their insights, their expertise, and those in positions of power who make themselves accountable”.

“It’s a vital strength of our democracy that our elected representatives, the people who we chose to govern, come on the airways to answer for their decisions and long may that continue,” he added.

“All of this is with one purpose, to serve you, our audience. So, thank you for listening, for watching and for engaging. I know from texts, emails and letters that you are well-informed; you are discerning and possess a highly developed ‘waffle’ detector. Thank you for your time, attention and feedback. It keeps us on our toes.

“Lastly my love to my family, to my wonderful wife Crea, and our fantastic daughters Sophie and Hannah. They have been my motivation, my strength and my support.”

Dobson is one of RTÉ's best known broadcasters on television and radio, after initially joining in 1987 as a reporter on the This Week programme.

He has presented all of RTÉ's flagship news programmes across television and radio during this time and anchored its television coverage of elections and special State events.