Fionnuala Sweeney was born in 1965 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. At the age of 12, her family relocated to Dublin, which became her long-term home.
Sweeney pursued her higher education at University College Dublin, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English and History. She later completed a Higher Diploma in Education from the same institution.
Fionnuala Sweeney began her broadcasting career in 1986 as a newsreader on Energy 103 FM, a Dublin-based radio station operated by Chris Cary. On the morning show Wake Up With Energy, she co-presented alongside Pat Courtenay and Bob Gallico under the on-air pseudonym "Lisa Moore." The station was known for its vibrant programming rather than any particular focus on energy-related topics, contrary to what its name might suggest.
In 1988, she moved on to RTÉ 2FM, continuing as a newscaster. Her performance there opened the door to opportunities in television broadcasting.
Sweeney transitioned to television with RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster. In a breakthrough moment in 1993, she was selected to host the Eurovision Song Contest, an internationally televised event watched by over 350 million viewers worldwide. Conducting the program in three languages—English, Irish, and French—her role in the live broadcast significantly raised her profile across Europe.
In 1994, Sweeney left RTÉ to join CNN International. Beginning at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta as a part-time producer and anchor, she was quickly promoted to a full-time anchor. She later relocated to London to anchor the international news program World One.
Over the years, she has covered significant global news stories across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Noteworthy reporting includes the 2011 Egyptian uprising and the fall of President Hosni Mubarak, for which CNN received both a Peabody Award and a News & Documentary Emmy Award.
Sweeney also reported on the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict from Haifa. Her live coverage contributed to CNN's receipt of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award. She reported extensively on Israel's disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, as well as the region’s parliamentary elections.
| Birth Date: | 1 Jan, 1965 |
| Age: | 55 yrs |
| Occupations: | News presenter Television presenter Journalist |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom |
| Birth Place: | Belfast |
| Education: | University College Dublin |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | Northern Irish television journalist |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
