| Caitríona Perry | |
| Birth Name: | Caitríona Perry |
| Birth Date: | 1980 10, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality: | Irish |
| Occupation: | News presenter |
| Agent: | Noel Kelly |
| Years Active: | 2000–present |
| Children: | 2 |
| Credits: | BBC World News America |
| Employer: | BBC News (current) RTÉ News (former) |
Caitríona Perry (born 15 October 1980) is an Irish journalist and presenter who works for BBC News as chief presenter based in Washington, D.C. She formerly worked for RTÉ, Ireland's national radio and television station, where she presented the Six One News from January 2018 to May 2023 and was the RTÉ News Washington correspondent from February 2013 to December 2017.[1]
Perry attained a BA in journalism from Dublin City University, with a work placement in Dublin radio station NewsTalk 106.[2] She attained an MA in International Relations.[2] She joined RTÉ News in 2007 after previously worked at Newstalk and Today FM.
She is a client of Noel Kelly, of NK Management.[3]
She became RTÉ's Washington correspondent in 2013, where she covered major stories such as the 2016 United States presidential election, Inauguration of Donald Trump and the Berkeley tragedy. She subsequently wrote a book about her experience of the election entitled In America: Tales from Trump Country. The book has been highly acclaimed in Ireland, with some reviewers describing it as "spellbindingly good" and "insightful". It was shortlisted for an Irish Book Award in 2017.
Perry made headlines around the world after an encounter with United States President Donald Trump in June 2017 at the White House when, while he was on a call with the new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, he summoned Perry to compliment her on having a "nice smile", which Irish Central described as Trump being "fixated with" Perry, The Daily Telegraph described as "creepy",[4] and Perry herself described as "bizarre".[5]
In January 2018, Perry took over as co-anchor of the alongside Keelin Shanley.[6] She presented many RTÉ News Specials, including the 2020 United States presidential election, Inauguration of Joe Biden, the Visit by Pope Francis to Ireland, additional programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the visit to Ireland of US President Joe Biden.[7]
On 4 May 2023, Perry announced that she would be leaving RTÉ after almost 16 years to take up a new international role as chief presenter with the BBC based in Washington.[8] [9] She signed off for the final time as co-presenter of the Six One News on 26 May.[10]
She started her new job with BBC News in August 2023, appearing on BBC World News America.[11] [12]
Perry grew up in Knocklyon in Dublin.[13] [14]
On 29 January 2019, Perry announced that she was expecting her first child.[15] She gave birth to a baby girl on 29 July 2019.[16] On 14 April 2022, Perry announced that she was expecting her second child.[17] She gave birth to a baby boy on 20 September 2022.[18]