RTE
Saints, Scholars and Scandals
Published on 7. May 2026
448 pages
978-1-80546-188-3 (ISBN)
Description
'Offers a deliciously readable, frequently funny rundown of some of the institution's most colourful misadventures' Sunday Independent
'An excellent read. Its thriller-like prose is pacy, its subjects are well-researched' Irish Examiner
'Shane Ross brings a sharp eye to the controversy' Irish Times
Since it arrived on the airwaves in 1961, RTE has been buffeted in different directions, eventually slipping into a steady decline which accelerated over the past decade into a catastrophe.
The 2023 revelations regarding secret payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy weren't the first time Ireland's national broadcaster has found itself caught up in scandal.
Shane Ross, author of #1 bestsellers The Bankers and Mary Lou McDonald, winds back the clock to examine RTE's history of broadcasting excellence alongside the accusations of corruption, waste and ineptitude it has faced along the way.
With clarity and wit, Ross rakes over RTE's colourful past while also considering what the future might hold for this once beloved institution.
'An excellent read. Its thriller-like prose is pacy, its subjects are well-researched' Irish Examiner
'Shane Ross brings a sharp eye to the controversy' Irish Times
Since it arrived on the airwaves in 1961, RTE has been buffeted in different directions, eventually slipping into a steady decline which accelerated over the past decade into a catastrophe.
The 2023 revelations regarding secret payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy weren't the first time Ireland's national broadcaster has found itself caught up in scandal.
Shane Ross, author of #1 bestsellers The Bankers and Mary Lou McDonald, winds back the clock to examine RTE's history of broadcasting excellence alongside the accusations of corruption, waste and ineptitude it has faced along the way.
With clarity and wit, Ross rakes over RTE's colourful past while also considering what the future might hold for this once beloved institution.
Reviews / Votes
Offers a deliciously readable, frequently funny rundown of some of the institution's most colourful misadventures. * Sunday Independent * An excellent read. Its thriller-like prose is pacy, its subjects are well-researched. Pages detailing bizarre governance and political interference leave you wanting more * Irish Examiner * Shane Ross brings a sharp eye to the controversy over barter accounts, clandestine payments and the Toy Show musical * Irish Times * [A] lively, punchy biography...Ross tells it crisply, bringing it all together and lacing the plot line of her career with interesting anecdotes and occasionally his own acerbic analysis * Irish Times on MARY LOU McDONALD * Ross has penned an engaging narrative of this chameleon's career so far. A fine achievement considering the party slammed every door it could in his face * Irish Independent on MARY LOU McDONALD * Extremely well-written...an ideal Christmas present for those interested in current affairs * Sunday Times on MARY LOU McDONALD *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
File size
3,97 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-80546-188-3 (9781805461883)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2026
Atlantic Books
€22.00
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Shane Ross has been a stockbroker, a journalist, a politician and an author. He was Business Editor of the Sunday Independent for over sixteen years, and a member of the Seanad for 29 years before taking a Dail seat in 2011. In 2016, he became Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, serving in government for over four years.
Content
1: Ryan Tubridy: To the Montrose Manor Born 2: Politicians v 'Parlour Pinks' 3: The Angel Gabriel or the Devil's Disciple? 4: The Minister v the Authority 5: Musical Chairs at the Top Table 6: The Tragic Death of Gerry Ryan 7: The Lady Vanishes: the Rise and Fall of Dee Forbes 8: The Riverdance Hero Loses Her Halo 9: 'Tubs' and Kelly Face the Music 10: Scapegoats Exit as Directors Cheat the Gallows
