For the past two years, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has been a regular contributor to The Panel, a lively discussion show which invites observations and satirical commentary on current affairs. Recently voted Ireland’s number 1 Sexiest Female TV Star in the RTE Guide, she has enjoyed presenting No Frontiers stories promoting the virtues of volunteering at a Lion Park in Johannesburg and examining the pros and cons of a budget break in Slovenia. In June 2009 Aoibhinn will co-present the Reel Deel, a show portraying traditional Irish music in modern Ireland with musician profiles, interviews and lively music on RTE 1.
Aoibhinn graduated with a first class honours degree in Theoretical Physics from University College Dublin and is currently studying for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education in Trinity College. For the past four years she has co-hosted the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition Opening Ceremonies and Award Ceremonies with Ray D’Arcy and has hosted the associated corporate evening for the past two years. She was the country’s official ‘Ambassador for Science’ in 2005 and 2006 launching Science Week, presenting science lectures in various educational institutions throughout the country and has hosted the Discover Primary Science award ceremonies for the past three years. She has studied and worked in CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) and actively promotes science and mathematics through her work with ‘Discover Science and Engineering’, a branch of the governmental body Fórfas, and with the Science Gallery in Trinity College.
Last year she took part in the reality television show Celebrity Bainisteoir and has since maintained a strong interest in GAA. She has braved the infamous Podge and Rodge show, has participated on both Panel Live national tours and has also contributed to such shows as Up for the Match, Scope and Dustin’s Daily News.
Raised in Carnacon, Co. Mayo, Aoibhinn’s mother Máire, vice-principal of the Gaelscoil in Castlebar, and her father Art, a native Irish speaker from Corr na Móna, Co. Galway and director of the Mayo Education Centre, raised their children in a bilingual household. She launched the 2009 Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Button Factory, Templebar and presented an hour-long episode of the Irish language show Cartaí Phoist recreating the John Hinde photos taken in the 1960s. Aoibhinn has made guest appearances on many TG4 shows including I bhFócus, Árdán, An Tuath Nua and Timpeall na Tíre. She has hosted many Foras na Gaeilge events and has also acted as a bilingual interviewer with the magazine TVNow.
Aoibhinn has been a stand-in presenter for the two hour Irish language NewsTalk show, ‘Splanc’ and enjoyed being a regular presenter on Radio na Life, the Irish language Dublin community radio station with the weekly show ‘Fios Feasa’ reporting on cultural events around the country.
Long affiliated with traditional Irish music, Aoibhinn has won various awards for sean-nós singing and also plays the concertina. She toured with the traditional Irish music group Rágus as their singer on their American, Japanese and European tours and has sung with such artists as Sharon Shannon and Mundy.
Crowned International Rose of Tralee 2005, Aoibhinn acted as ambassador for the festival attending various international events and appearing on such shows as Questions and Answers and Test the Nation. She was official ambassador for the Hope Foundation, raising awareness for the organisation’s work and fund-raising for the street children and underprivileged communities in Calcutta whom she visited in July 2006.
Aoibhinn is passionate about education and has taught Mathematics, Physics, Science, Applied Mathematics and Irish in secondary school. She is currently studying for a Post-graduate Diploma in Education in Trinity College Dublin.
