Caitríona Perry Explained

Caitríona Perry (born 15 October 1980) is an Irish journalist who works for BBC News as chief presenter based in Washington, D.C. She formerly worked for RTÉ, Ireland's national radio and television station, where she presented the Six One News from January 2018 to May 2023 and was the RTÉ News Washington correspondent from February 2013 to December 2017.^[2]

Career

Perry has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Dublin City University, and a master's degree in international relations.^[3] She joined RTÉ News in 2007 after working at Newstalk and Today FM.

She became RTÉ's Washington correspondent in 2013, where she covered stories such as the US presidential election in 2016, the first inauguration of Donald Trump and the Berkeley balcony collapse. She subsequently wrote a book about her experience of the election entitled In America: Tales from Trump Country.

Perry herself became the subject of news stories in June 2017 after an encounter at the White House with President Donald Trump. While he was on a telephone call with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Trump summoned Perry to compliment her on having a "nice smile", which Irish Central described as Trump being "fixated with" Perry, The Daily Telegraph described as "creepy",^[4] and Perry herself described as "bizarre".^[5]

In January 2018, she took over as co-anchor of the alongside Keelin Shanley.^[6] She presented many RTÉ News Specials, including the US presidential election in 2020, the inauguration of Joe Biden, the visit by Pope Francis to Ireland, additional programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Joe Biden's visit to Ireland.^[7]

On 4 May 2023, she announced that she would be leaving RTÉ after almost 16 years to take up a new role as chief presenter with the BBC in Washington D.C. She signed off for the final time as co-presenter of the Six One News on 26 May and started her new job with BBC World News America in August.^[8]

Personal life

Perry grew up in Knocklyon in Dublin.^{[9] [10]} She gave birth to a girl on 29 July 2019,^[11] and to a boy on 20 September 2022.^[12]

Notes and References

1. News: Noel Kelly: Who is the behind-the-scenes agent, seen as RTÉ's 'real director general'?. The Irish Times. Colm. Keena. 1 July 2023.
2. Web site: Comment: Caitriona Perry isn't a celebrity who wants to be objectified, she's a journalist trying to do her job. 28 June 2017. Irish Independent. 15 August 2017.
3. Caitríona Perry . Jarlath . 29 January 2018 . Jarlath Regan . 228 . . SoundCloud. 28 January 2018 . Regan.
4. Web site: RTE reporter Caitriona Perry tells of her surprise at 'creepy' Donald Trump moment in White House. 23 June 2017. The Telegraph. 15 August 2017.
5. Web site: RTE's Washington Correspondent Caitriona Perry tells tales on Trump after that 'bizarre' encounter in new book. 15 August 2017. Irish Independent. 15 August 2017.
6. Web site: Caitriona Perry and Keelin Shanley are the new presenters of Six One News. 26 October 2017. Journal. 26 October 2017.
7. News: Six One News co-presenter Caitríona Perry to leave RTÉ for job in US. RTÉ News. 4 May 2023. 4 May 2023.
8. • News: Caitríona Perry in final sign off from Six One News. RTÉ News. 26 May 2023. 26 May 2023.
   • News: Former RTÉ presenter Caitriona Perry starts new job with BBC. Irish Independent. Seoirse. Mulgrew. 8 August 2023. 20 August 2023.
9. Web site: Who is Caitríona Perry – the Irish journalist Donald Trump is fixated with. 28 June 2017. Irish Central. 15 August 2017.
10. Web site: Caitríona Perry talks Trump & missing home. 29 June 2017. RTÉ News. 15 August 2017.
11. News: RTE's Caitriona Perry gives birth to baby girl. Irish Mirror. Lauren. Keane. 29 July 2019.
12. News: RTÉ News anchor Caitriona Perry welcomes baby boy. Irish Independent. Eoghan. Moloney. 20 September 2022. 20 September 2022.