11 year-old Robert Dunne from Dromahane had a day to remember last Friday when he travelled with his family to RTE in Dublin where he switched on the RTE Christmas lights live on television. Robert was chosen after he won the ‘news2day’ art competition. Robert and his younger brother James, and sister Rachel, travelled with their proud parents to show off his drawing and turn on the main Christmas illuminations in Donnybrook.
‘News2day’ received hundreds of art entries on ‘The Night Before Christmas’ theme from children all around the country. Robert, along with his whole family, visited RTÉ for the day, touring the newsroom and having a sneak peek at the ‘Late Late Toy Show’ set before joining ‘News2day’ presenter Conor McNally live on national television to turn on the Christmas lights across the RTÉ grounds. Speaking about his big win, an excited Robert said: “Well, at first I was really shocked. It’s kind of sinking in now. It’s so cool to be walking around RTÉ and seeing the ‘Fair City’ set. The ‘Toy Show’ set is so cool. I also loved seeing the newsroom where they do the Six One News.” He added: “I definitely want to become a news reader after seeing that.” Robert also revealed what he had asked Santa for this Christmas. “I want a Kindle HDX for Christmas because I love reading. My favourite book is ‘The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel’.”