As one of the only television presenters to work for all four Irish broadcasters, RTE 1, RTE 2, TG4, and TV3 (before it became Virgin Media), Grainne Seoige was a staple and trusted part of Irish television from 1996 to 2011.
From the newsdesk to the chatshow
Beginning on TG4, the gaeilgeoir first filled our screens reading the 10pm news bulletins with Gillian Ní Cheallaigh, before moving to TV3 in 1998 to the First Edition news broadcast at the prime 5.30pm slot.
From there, Seoige made a name for herself as an entertaining presenter on morning shows, from the occasional appearance on Ireland AM to her own afternoon chat-show Seoige, which she co-presented with her sister Síle for three years.
In 2010, she moved to the regular spot on GMTV and undertook the role of features editor of the breakfast morning show Daybreak, where she reported on national and international events.
Heartbreak and emigration
Seoige was married to former TV3 sports editor Stephen Cullinane before the pair divorced in 2010.
KBC Bank Ireland initiated repossession proceedings in 2015 on their five-bedroom home in the picturesque Rocky Valley, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow, after a source told the Mirror that house “had fallen into mortgage arrears” while Seoige was renting it out after the pair separated.
In 2014, Seoige became engaged to former rugby coach Leon Jordaan and the pair emigrated to South Africa in 2016, where Seoige created her own business of bespoke diamond dealings.
They returned to Seoige’s hometown of Spiddal, Co Galway, after Jordaan’s father passed away last year.
Speaking about the decision to return, Seoige said, “it was very easy and it is a little bit sad. Leon lost his dad this time last year and it has been a really strange year this year, as we all know, and we didn’t get to spend as much time with our families as much as we would have liked.”
“So we decided to come home and isolate 10 miles from their house, instead of the other side of the world.
Hints at presenting return
In an interview with Independent.ie, Seoige hinted that she is open to returning to Irish screens in the future.
“I love TV, it was my first love in terms of work. I have the grá. You don’t have that length of time and learn that much and have it not be of benefit. And it is of benefit to have people who know what they’re doing,” she said.
“It's been lovely because we’re all familiar with the negative side of social media but what I have found is that really open, warm buzz since I’ve come home.
“So if the right (TV) project came up and it was right for my life, I would absolutely love it.”
