Mary Wilson, Rachael English and Miriam O'Callaghan are just three of the many women ruling the airwaves at the moment. Janice Butler caught up with the broadcasters of RTÉ Radio 1 to talk

Once upon a time women were relegated to niche roles in radio, only fronting programmes with a strictly 'female' theme. Today, the airwaves are buzzing with both familiar and fresh new female voices, fronting everything from sports programmes (the excellent Jackie Hurley on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport) to prime-time current affairs slots (who can start the day without Áine Lawlor?).
Marian Finucane paved the way with Liveline and The Marian Finucane Show in the 1980s and '90s, and continues to lead the way with her not-to-be missed Saturday and Sunday programmes. Today, Mary Wilson raises the issues of the day every evening on Drivetime, Rachael English ends the day chairing The Late Debate and Miriam O'Callaghan fills Sunday mornings with emotional real-life stories on Miriam Meets.
But what makes these women tick? Do they eat, sleep and breathe radio? Do they ever come to work in their PJs (surely tempting - it's early and it's radio)? How do they manage home and work lives?
We set out to discover all from our cover stars as they got dolled up for their cover shoot.

In the past, women were in the minority when it came to radio broadcasting; but now they are at the forefront. Is this something that you are aware of, and do you think it's more difficult for women to succeed in radio?
Rachael English: When I started on radio I can honestly say it was something I never really thought about. I think it's only as time went on that I started thinking - 'Gosh! There aren't that many women around here at all'. I also thought everyone was from Dublin, so I really felt like an endangered species, being a woman from Clare!
But slowly it has happened that there are more women around. There always have been a lot of women working behind the scenes as directors and producers but on air, we are still very much the minority.

Miriam O'Callaghan: It's an age-old problem; I haven't yet got to the bottom of it. I've always said I have girls and boys, girls do better in school, they're brighter and more hard working but men rule the world - why? I don't know! It's the same in radio and television. If you look at television throughout the world, men dominate, I think Radio 1 is one of the few places where there are a lot of women. I think in the end if you're good at what you do and people are willing to give you a break, your talent will win out. It is ten times harder for women though, but it's not the fault of men, its how society has been shaped. I know that during the day I'll be thinking about who's picking the children up or bringing them to scouts, but I know my husband who I love dearly is not thinking about that.
Also, for female broadcasters, it's much harder to do tough interviews like the ones Rachael and Mary have to do: if you're a women and you come on too aggressive, you sound like a shrill battleaxe. So you have to ask questions in a nice, polite but firm way. Equally, sometimes, men find it hard being tough on us.

Mary Wilson: I suppose Marian Finucane would be the woman who has made such a mark on radio and driven many other women in radio today. Áine Lawlor has been doing her thing on Morning Ireland for a long time as well and brings an awful lot to the table. I never think of it as women versus men in radio; maybe those in marketing recognise it, but as a working journalist, it's never occurred to me. I think it's great to hear women like Rachael on a night-time, Marian at the weekends and Miriam on Sundays. Things like this shoot are fun for us to do. We all know that there's other sides to our lives other than what we do every day but the people who listen to us may not necessarily know that we do get dressed up, put on the slap and have the craic.

The public are turning on their radios now more than ever. Being at the epicentre of news, how would you gauge the public's attitude right now?
Rachael: There is anger there, but I think people are very questioning. If you grew up in the '80s, you expected to leave the country and then we got used to so many years when it seemed that way of living was gone forever, and then it's as if the foundations had been ripped out from under us. Things just changed so quickly in Ireland. We fell so far, so fast, and I think everyone has done more newspaper reading and radio listening in the last few months than you would have done in the Celtic Tiger days.
Miriam: I think people are very worried. A lot of people are losing their jobs and emigrating; this is a different Ireland to three years ago. Irish people are quite fair and as broadcasters there's a responsibility on us not to worry people more. You can see from the ratings that people are tuning into news and current affairs shows more than ever. All you can do is put the facts out there and make them understandable and accessible.
Mary: What I sense in the emails and texts we get from listeners is unfairness, and it's a very human emotion. When people look at what's happening with the expenses situation and the tax hikes that are potentially coming down the line, they feel that this is unfair. Even though we're presenters, we all have real lives, we all have brothers and sisters and family members who are being affected by this. We all know somebody who's lost their job or are in negative equity - it's part of all our lives - we're not isolated from it.

Is there much competition among the female presenters of RTÉ Radio 1 or do you have a close relationship?
Rachael: I would see Mary Wilson quite often, Miriam not so much - she's the new girl in radio! There is rivalry between every show, especially for the main guests. On a Saturday morning, you'd be conscious that there are lots of radio and television shows trying to get the same person. People do end up pulling the rug from under their colleagues on occasion. You think you have somebody and you're told 'Oh no, they're going on The Late Late but that's just part of the job. Everyone wants their programme to be the one that's written about in the papers.
Miriam: Well, you see, there's mainly Marian, who is the queen, I'm a blow in and then there's the others like Rachael, Áine and Mary. I think there's probably a bit of camaraderie because no one is moving into each other's space. I would respect and admire what they all do.

What about competition from other stations. Are ratings important to you?
Rachael: When I was doing Five Seven Live I was really aware of the outside competition because that's the most competitive slot on the radio. With the programmes I'm doing at the moment, it's not as much an issue. There's no point in saying the competition doesn't matter because they do, there's only so many people to listen to any programme and only so many guests, and if it doesn't matter to you, you probably shouldn't be doing the job. When I started off, there was just Eamon Dunphy . . . those were easy days!
Mary: We are in a really competitive environment. But if I spent my day focusing on the competition I wouldn't be able to work. You just have to try to be the best you can. Even for getting interviews, you have to be up very early to get them before anyone else. You do work that bit harder because you are conscious of it. I would have conversations with Marian, my producer, very early in the morning or late at night about possible stories or guests and it goes on all weekend. It sounds like I never switch off but you just factor it into your day. I don't think I spend my life thinking about Drivetime.

Do you worry about other female broadcasters coming up the ranks, nipping at your heels?
Mary: No I don't. When I was starting off or even before, when I knew I wanted to be a journalist but didn't know how to go about it, I would have loved the opportunity to speak to someone who was in the business and get advice, so I hope I'd always try to give young people a hand when they look for it.
Miriam: I've never had that feeling - it's like women getting older and worrying that their husbands are going to run away with an 18-year-old. I think that if you're good at what you do and you're audience gets to know you, they develop with you and go through your trials and tribulations. I know there have been issues about ageism with other broadcasters but I must say I have never come across it. There's plenty of room and programmes for everyone.

It seems that the great advantage of radio over TV is the fact that you don't really have to worry about what you wear and how you look?
Rachael: There is that freedom and that immediacy with radio, it's such an unfussy medium. You can signal to the producer that you haven't a clue what you're going to do next, which you'd never get away with in television, I often think if there was a webcam, people would be appalled at what goes on. I would try to look reasonably respectable going into work; you want to look like a serious person. It's not as though you have to wear a navy suit every day but you try to look your best. But the great thing is, when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter - it really is the land of no make-up.
Miriam: It's beyond nice - it's such a relief. I don't go in looking like the back of a bus but I don't have to worry about it, I'm not fixing my hair or getting make-up on. No stress, you could be in your pyjamas and no one would care. I think, particularly for women, that's really nice.
Mary: I have a habit formed through years of working in television news. I get up and dress for the day whether people can see me or not. You might come in on a Bank Holiday in your jeans and sweatshirt but generally your still want to be presentable. The only thing I would do differently is wear my specs instead of contact lenses. I have a thing for glasses, actually. Some people have an addiction to Jimmy Choos , for me, it's the specs!''

A day in the life of a radio presenter . . .
Rachael English
I try to get up at a normal hour, around 9am, I have a look at the papers, listen to Pat Kenny, then the lunchtime shows. Then I'd have a chat with my producer about what's coming up on the show. In the afternoon, I try to walk away from it for a while, but when Drivetime comes on the air I get back into it again. To be honest, it's not the hardest homework in the world!
I don't find the late hours that bad. I remember years ago, when I was on Morning Ireland and the shift was four until midnight, I would find that really difficult and I drove the people I lived with mad! Now that I'm older it's not a problem for me."

Miriam O'Callaghan
I come in quite early in the day, I meet my producer Seamus Hosey and I'll study the brief for about two-and-a-half hours. Earlier in the week I'll meet up with whoever the guest is to have a chat and get to know their story. That picture of me on the phone is perfect because I'm never off it!

Who's coming up on the show?
* We're doing Des Bishop and his brother soon who are both comedians that should be fun!
* Mary Robinson will be on, with Bride Rosney, who was very important to Mary's campaign.

Dream guest?
I would love to interview Barack and Michelle Obama. I want to know if they really get on that well.

Mary Wilson
The day starts at 7am when Morning Ireland comes on. I have radios everywhere in the house, even in the shower - so I'm listening all the time.
Once my daughter has gone to school I go for a long walk with my dog and listen to the radio.
I'm in the office for about 10.30am and go through all the newspapers - you read them for knowledge rather than enjoyment.
We have a production meeting at 12pm, with series producer Marian Richardson and the researchers, which lasts about an hour.
For the rest of the day, I listen to the News at One and Joe Duffy on Liveline because you never know what might come up and we need to be able to respond.

What's with all the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton paraphernalia that we've spotted around your desk?
We broadcast from Washington DC for Barack Obama's inauguration; we bought all that swag that you see in the pictures over there. I love American politics, I've interviewed Hillary Clinton but Barack Obama is definitely on my hit-list.

Other women making waves in radio . . .
Marian Finucane
The Marian Finucane Show, Saturday and Sunday, RTÉ Radio 1
Marian, the queen, transformed weekend radio in Ireland and now holds not one, but two, places in the Top 10 most-listened to shows in Ireland . . . you can't argue with that.

Maxi
Risin' Time, weekdays, RTÉ Radio 1
Maxi has been waking the nation for over 10 years now; her huge fan base includes people as far away as the Arctic Circle!

Áine Lawlor
Morning Ireland, weekdays, RTÉ Radio 1
Sharing the helm of Ireland's number one radio show with co-host Cathal Mac Coille, Áine gets straight to the heart of the issues of the day.

Eibhlin Ní Chonghaile
Iris Aniar, weekdays, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
Eibhlin took over as presenter on Iris Aniar in September - a veteran of Sky News and TG4, Eibhlin has lent a whole new look to mornings on RnaG.

Liz Nolan
Daybreak, weekdays, RTÉ lyric fm
Liz is new to mornings on lyric and, although the emphasis is on music, she keeps listeners up-to-date with the latest news, traffic and weather.

Deirdre Purcell
All about the Music, Saturday and Sunday, RTÉ lyric fm
One of Ireland's bestselling novelists, Deirdre started out as a continuity announcer on RTÉ. She returned to the airwaves with her very own Saturday show on RTÉ lyric fm.

Nikki Hayes
All Request Lunch, weekdays, RTÉ 2fm
Nikki pumps out the hits five days a week, lunchtimes on RTÉ 2fm.

Ruth Scott
The Saturday Show, RTÉ 2fm & The Frequency with Ruth Scott, weeknights, RTÉ 2fm
One of Ireland's best-known voices, Ruth Scott heads the country's's most-listened-to show by 15-34 year olds.

Claire Byrne
Breakfast, weekdays, Newstalk 106-108fm
Currently the co-anchor on Newstalk 106-108 fm's Breakfast, Claire has 15 years of broadcasting experience.