THE head of Irish language television channel, Teilifís na Gaeilge is to step down after more than 16 years in charge.
TG4 Director General, Pól Ó Gallchóir announced that he intends leaving at the end of September.
A native of west Donegal, Mr O Gallchóir took over at TG4 in April 2000 from the station's first director, Belfast man, Cathal Goan.
Hugely popular throughout Ireland, TG4 has a massive audience north of the border among Irish language enthusiasts and GAA supporters.
The launch of TG4 also led to the creation of a thriving independent television production company throughout Ireland with various business ventures established to supply original content of the children.
Under Mr O Gallchóir's leadership, TG4 has gained popularity far beyond the Irish language community through its commissioning of many popular dramas.
Recent successes have included An Klondike, the story of three Irish brothers who took part in the gold rush in the Yukon in the 1890s.
Mr O Gallchóir, who is from Gweedore, was regional manager of Raidio na Gaeltachta's Donegal station before taking over as leader of the Irish language radio channel.
Announcing his decision to step down, Mr O Gallchóir said TG4 had achieved its ambition as a channel which provided a different viewpoint.
The position of director general of TG4 will be overseen by the station's chairwoman, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, who said Mr O Gallchóir had made a huge contribution to Irish language broadcasting.
