Sheana Keane was once one of RTE’s top presenters.
However, after deciding to step back to focus on her family and her career, she is now set to become a doctor.
She has spent years studying and even holds two Master’s degrees from one of Ireland’s top universities.
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How old is Sheana and where is she from?
Sheana was born on 27 May 1975, making her 49 years old. She is originally from Howth in Dublin.
After finishing school, she began studying at the University College Dublin. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1992 and for a year afterwards, she completed a Master’s degree.
Career at RTE
Sheana has a commercial background as a change management consultant.
She started working at RTE as a researcher for Wanderlust, an internet-based blind date programme, in 2001, and then as a researcher and broadcaster on the daytime talk show Open House in 2002.
She went on to present Health Squad between 2001 and 2006 and then The Afternoon Show between 2004 and 2010 - she took a year out after having a child.
She was a co-presenter alongside Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh and returned for their third season taking over from Anna Nolan.
Speaking about coming back, she told Hot Press at the time: “I was actually quite surprised to be asked back.”
“I knew Anna [Nolan] was leaving but it didn’t occur to me that it would happen for me again. I was still on maternity leave when they asked me would I do it. The first month was difficult because I wasn’t totally prepared for it but I was eventually able to get a child-minder so it’s great now and I love it.”
Nearly four years later, she switched over to TV3 and briefly presented Late Lunch Live with Jim McCabe. They filled in for Lucy Kennedy and Martin King.
At the time, she shared: “I love, love, love this show. It makes me laugh everyday so to be asked to fill in for Lucy is both a treat and an honour because I think she’s absolutely brilliant.
“It’s been four years since I’ve been in front of a camera so I’m half way between very excited and planning a fake illness. Half a bottle of Rescue Remedy later and I’ll be grand!”
Current career
After stepping back from her TV duties, Sheana returned to university and began studying again.
She went back to University College Dublin and completed another Master’s degree. She now has a Master’s degree in social and organisational psychology and another in mindfulness based interventions.
Sheana is currently a PhD researcher focused on the psychological aspect of diversity, inclusion and prosocial behaviour. She started in 2020 and is on track to graduate next year.
Family life
Sheana is married to businessman Jonathan Forrest, managing director of Cybercom. They tied the knot on 5 September 2003.
They have two children together, daughter Isabelle, who is around 20 years old and son Arthur, aged 18.
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