One of the country's most recognisable reporters has opened up on his relationship with one of the nation's foremost authors.
Virgin Media journalist Richard Chambers and Cork writer Louise O'Neill have been a couple since March 2018.
The pair first got together in a very modern way - when Richard contacted Louise on social media.
They both followed each other on social media for quite some time, Richard explained, and they would occasionally "swap messages and stuff like that".
When he saw she was coming to Dublin from her home in Clonakilty, CoCork in 2018, Richard made his move.
"I said, 'Here look, if you're around for a drink...' That's kind of where it all started - on social media. It's a very modern love story."
Things moved quickly for the pair, and they confirmed their romance very soon after. In terms of their future, Richard is happy to let things happen naturally and "see what happens".
"To be honest, I'm kind of easy-going," said Richard. "We'll sort of see what happens. I'm just really happy with Louise," he told the Sunday Independent Life Magazine
The couple are parents to a Collie cross named Cooper and they are house hunting in Dublin at the moment, hoping to bring the long distance aspect of their romance to an end.
Richard shared that during the multiple lockdowns, being apart was hard for them.
"Yeah it's just the separation really," said Richard. "After being separated by lockdown for however long, finding a place where you can just be together is a good idea."
For Richard, he could go on all day gushing about Louise.
"I mean, she's the most extraordinary, loving, caring person," he said. "She's incredible."
Richard's new book, A State Of Emergency: The Story of Ireland's Covid Crisis, will be out on October 28.
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