Rick O'Shea

Rick O'Shea
Broadcaster Rick O'Shea, 2019
Born
Paul Crossan

(1973-05-07) 7 May 1973
Alma materUniversity College Dublin
OccupationBroadcaster
EmployerRTÉ
Known forDaytime Radio Show; Books; Cinema
WebsitePersonal weblog

Paul Crossan (born 7 May 1973) is an Irish radio personality, known as Rick O'Shea. He was born in Drimnagh, Dublin, grew up in Crumlin,[1] and attended Drimnagh Castle Secondary School and University College Dublin.

He was a presenter on RTÉ 2fm from 2001 to 2017.[2][3] O'Shea also presented The Poetry Programme on RTÉ Radio 1 in 2015 and 2016.[4] In 2026, he was announced as the new host of Arena, RTÉ Radio 1's daily arts show.[5]

Activities

Before joining RTÉ 2fm in 2001, he had worked for East Coast Radio,[6] Atlantic 252, South East Radio and FM104. Rick had previously been involved with hospital radio.[7] O'Shea presented the weekday afternoon show on 2fm until 2015, when the show was moved to the weekend schedule.[8][9]

He presented The Poetry Programme on RTÉ Radio 1 in 2015 and 2016.[10]

O'Shea was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 16.[11] and has been a patron of Epilepsy Ireland, formerly known as Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association, since 2006.[12] He represented the charity in an Irish celebrity version of the quiz show Mastermind in 2012, winning the competition.[13][14]

He runs the Rick O’Shea Book Club, Ireland's largest book club, with over 43,000 members, and recommends the Eason Must Reads lists four times a year with author Sinéad Moriarty. He is currently presenting Arena on RTÉ Radio 1.[15][16]

Awards and nominations

O'Shea has been nominated for Best Irish Radio DJ at the Meteor Music Awards on three occasions, in 2002,[17] 2008[18] and 2009.[19] In 2009, he was winner of Entertainment.ie's "Sexiest Radio Voice" award.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Booked and busy: Here's what's next for Rick O'Shea". www.irishexaminer.com. 2 November 2019. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  2. ^ Roy Martin (12 October 2017). "Will Leahy and Rick O'Shea join RTÉ Gold". Radio Today.
  3. ^ Jonathan deBurca Butler (22 January 2015). "Rick O'Shea gets well-versed in poetry for new programme". Irish Examiner.
  4. ^ Rosita Boland (22 January 2015). "Rick O'Shea: an unversed choice for RTÉ's new poetry show". Irish Times.
  5. ^ "Rick O'Shea named as new presenter of RTÉ Radio 1's Arena". 14 March 2026.
  6. ^ "PAPER PROPHET Rick O'Shea". Irish Independent. 20 August 2006.
  7. ^ Melanie Finn (4 February 2009). "We're still friends says 2fm's Rick as he splits from wife". Herald.ie. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Rick O'Shea's 2FM radio show is moving to the weekend". TheJournal.ie. 28 August 2015.
  9. ^ "Rick O'Shea moves to 2fm weekends with Cormac Battle". Hot Press. 28 August 2015.
  10. ^ Aoife Kelly (12 January 2015). "2FM DJ Rick O'Shea to present new Poetry Programme on RTE Radio 1". Irish Independent.
  11. ^ "DJ Rick O'Shea reveals his battle with epilepsy and says he won't be beaten by it". Irish Independent. 3 July 2012.
  12. ^ Hilary Fennell (10 August 2014). "This much I know: Rick O'Shea". Irish Examiner.
  13. ^ "O'Shea wins Celebrity Mastermind". Breakingnews.ie. 23 July 2012.
  14. ^ "How would you do in the Mastermind chair? Take the test". The Daily Edge. 23 July 2012.
  15. ^ "The Rick O'Shea Book Club".
  16. ^ "Facebook Group - The Rick O'Shea Book Club".
  17. ^ "2FM DJs up for Meteor Awards". RTÉ. 1 March 2002.
  18. ^ "Meteor Music Award nominees announced". RTÉ Entertainment. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Meteor Music Awards nominees revealed". RTÉ. 29 January 2009.
  20. ^ Lloyd, Brian (2009). "Entertainment.ie Annual Awards 2009 - The Winners..." Entertainment.ie.