RTÉ has announced that, following a public competition, Peter Woods has been announced as Head of RTÉ Radio 1.
Former Managing Editor of RTÉ Radio 1, Peter Woods has worked in RTÉ since 1999, when he trained as a radio producer.
Peter worked across the radio schedule and was a former Series Producer of Five Seven Live, The Documentary on One and Drivetime, as well as Late Debate and Saturday with Claire Byrne.
Award Winning Documentary Work
In 2014 he became the Editor of Current Affairs for Radio 1, with direct editorial responsibility for most of the station’s current affairs output.
In 2018 he was made Managing Editor of RTÉ Radio 1 with responsibility for most of Radio 1’s flagship programmes.
Peter has won numerous awards for production and documentary making and worked with Liam O’Brien in Kerry on the famous Caherciveen cyclist Mick Murphy for ‘A Convict of the Road’ – in 2006 which featured a recording on the road during a stage of the FBD RÁS up the cruel climb of The Maam above Castleisland.
The O’Brien / Woods team also made the Con Curtin documentary The Baloon in Brosna in 2005 centring on the infamous Brosna fiddle player on his life in the village and in London.
He also wrote and published a critically acclaimed novel ‘Hard Shoulder’ in 2003.
In The Irish Times, at the time, George O’Brien wrote of the work: “If all Peter Woods had written was the unvarnished account of Irish labourers at work and play in England and Germany which gives Hard Shoulder its pretext and momentum, he would still have written a terrific novel.”
Listener Comes First
Reacting to his appointment this week, Peter Woods said: “When I became the editor of Current Affairs I said that everything in this station was based on teams and the public service ethos of RTÉ, the listener comes first and I reiterate that now,” said Peter on his selection to the role.
“It’s more important than ever in what are challenging times nationally. It’s always been a privilege to work for RTÉ and to lead and have responsibility for my colleagues and the output they generate, particularly now and over the past few weeks.”
Editorial and Managerial Experience
Speaking of Peter Woods’ appointment, RTÉ Director of Content, Jim Jennings, said:
“I would like to congratulate Peter on his appointment. Peter brings a wealth of editorial and managerial experience to the position and I am sure that he will enhance the station and its programming over the coming years. We wish him well on this new challenge.”
Peter will take up the position as Head of RTÉ Radio 1 on 1st July.
The Castleisland Connection
A native of Co. Monaghan, Peter Woods just escaped being adopted by the bar council at Sheila Prendiville’s Bar and Grocery in Castleisland in the mid 2000’s.
He and his co-documentary maker Liam O’Brien made it a kind of base camp while recording ‘A Convict of the Road’ in the area.
Peter is married to Castleisland native, Eileen Murphy of the well known TH Murphy family.
His friends in Castleisland all wish him well in his new role.
He takes over the post from Tom Maguire – another man with strong connections with this county from his days with Radio Kerry.
