Mr Dobson said farewell after many remarkable years presenting flagship RTÉ news and current affairs programmes.Friday saw the culmination of an impressive journalistic career with his last edition of the News At One programme on RTÉ Radio 1.President Michael D Higgins has thanked Mr Dobson for his "significant contribution" to Irish journalism and public service broadcasting.In a message to Mr Dobson which he posted on X, President Higgins said: "Bryan's journalistic integrity has been evident throughout his impressive career of over 37 years across RTÉ's flagship news and current affairs programmes, an example of public broadcasting at its best."Bryan's respectful, reassuring and calm demeanour as he conducted his interviews including throughout so many pivotal public moments in Irish life will have been appreciated and indeed be greatly missed by an Irish viewing and listening public."Speaking to Mr Dobson on his RTÉ's News At One, Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to Mr Dobson on air following an interview from Belfast.Mr Harris said: "I'm very conscious that you've been broadcasting probably before I was born, I'm very conscious that you represent the very best of public service broadcasting."You've been a brilliant, robust interviewer, always robust, always thorough, but always fair and decent."And I really just on behalf of the people of Ireland today, I really just want to thank you for public service and wish you and your family all the very best."Bryan Dobson, 64, said he has had "37 fantastic years with RTÉ" and it is time to move on."I will miss working with some wonderfully talented and hardworking colleagues," he said."RTÉ journalism depends on teamwork and I have worked with some of the very best."I am grateful too to the listeners and viewers who have given me their time and attention over the years."I hope to have repaid that trust with reporting that was relevant, fair and accurate."When the Dubliner was a pupil in Newpark Comprehensive School, work experience during his Transition Year set him on the path to journalism.His teacher at the time was a young Vere Wynne Jones, who rang the Irish Times on his behalf.This introduction was his first foray into his remarkable media career.After studying media, Mr Dobson ventured into pirate radio, joining the newsroom team in Radio Nova.He moved on to the BBC before joining the RTÉ newsroom in 1987 where he presented Marketplace and other TV news programmes.In 1996 Mr Dobson was appointed anchor of the Six One news - a role he enjoyed for 21 years.During that time, he cites covering the first free elections in South Africa as one of the standout moments.He witnessed history on the night the Good Friday Agreement was announced, he was live on-air when the twin towers collapsed in New York in 2001 and he covered the historic visit of Queen Elizabeth II.His 2006 interview with then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was particularly significant, as he forensically quizzed him on his finances. It was an interview that would cause shockwaves.In 2017, Mr Dobson moved to RTÉ Radio One and joined the presenting team on Morning Ireland.After that he took the helm at News at One where he presented the programme throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.During his years broadcasting, Mr Dobson has also worked on a number of RTÉ documentaries including The Madness from Within, an account of the Irish Civil War; Witnesses to War, which featured interviews with Irish veterans of the second World War, and guest presented special programmes on the Lusitania and 1916 Rising for RTÉ Nationwide.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.RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst said Mr Dobson represents "the best in public service journalism" and for many years brought a "calm authority to the most important stories".
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