He is the current executive producer across RTÉ Radio 1's nature and wildlife programming On television he has often presented game shows and talent contests: his presentation credits include Echo Island, Gridlock, Winning Streak, the ill-fated Cabin Fever, You're a Star, The Big Money Game, Fame: The Musical, The Genealogy Roadshow and Who Knows Ireland Best?.
Mooney is one of Ireland's best-known television personalities and one of the country's most prolific broadcasters in the area of natural history.
[2] Mooney was one of the presenters of RTÉ children's television shows Echo Island from its inception in 1994 up until he left the programme in February 1996.
[9] RTÉ relaunched the programme as Winning Streak: Dream Ticket in the autumn of 2008 with new presenters, Aidan Power and Kathryn Thomas, with new games and a new fresh feel to the show.
There was subsequently a major controversy and a National Lottery spokesperson was attacked over the manner in which the draw was conducted, i.e. not live, plus the coincidence that one of the new millionaires was from Tralee.
[13] Also in 2009, he offered to take a ten per cent pay cut due to the recession, drawing praise and admiration from some quarters.
[15] He dressed up as a leprechaun to beat a world record set by American talk show host Jay Leno.
[24][25] Mooney is often seen around Europe announcing the points for Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, and is recognised by Graham Norton on the BBC.
[citation needed] Mooney has constant incurable tinnitus in his left ear, stemming from when he had a wet shave where "some kind of electronic device for massaging your face afterwards" was used on him.
[2] In 2013, he spoke of his intentions to "end his life" if he were ever to be diagnosed with a terminal illness, stating he made the decision after seeing his mother and brother suffering agonizing deaths.
[citation needed] In 2012, he scaled a bridge and bounded across a County Meath motorway to save the life of a 57-year-old man whose collapse had left him "lying flat on his back with blood coming out of his nose and his mouth".