Ireland

Today FM presenters Ian Dempsey and Dave Moore are on a mission to help their listeners by getting them half a day off work on Monday.
As part of Today FM’s ‘Make Your Mornings’ campaign, promoting both shows to early birds across the country, Ian and Dave have big activity planned on Blue Monday to lift people’s spirits on what is often considered to be the most depressing day of the year.
Ian Dempsey, will be encouraging businesses across the country to let their staff take a half day as part of ‘Iano’s Sneaky Half Day’ campaign. Ian is doing a call out to all managers, bosses, CEOs and anyone calling the shots in their company to allow their staff to take a half day on Blue Monday, January 20th.
This will be a once off national holiday to lift spirits across the country and give workers a well deserved break after returning to the office earlier this year. With lots of businesses already signed up and committed to take part, you can apply to be a part of the campaign at todayfm.com/sneaky.
Dave Moore is looking get the nation laughing this Blue Monday. Dave will be hosting his show with a wealth of Irish comedic talent including Garron Noone, Fred Cooke, Eric Lawlor and plenty more to be announced. In what can only be described as a laugh a minute broadcast, Dave and his army of comedians are on a mission to turn frowns upside down and bring plenty of laughs to listeners this Blue Monday.
Dave will also have music from 80s Pop singer Sinitta, to bring a bit of music nostalgia amongst the laughter.
Commenting on the campaign, Ian Dempsey said: “Half day, is it? Everyone loves an unexpected half day, that’s why we’re urging all bosses around the country to give their hardworking employees a half day this Blue Monday. January can be a tough month for most with low funds after Christmas, dark nights before 5pm and friends doing the dreaded dry January.
“It can be hard to keep the spirits up. So this Blue Monday, we want to beat these January blues by giving you the break you deserve. Just make sure you tell the boss you’re doing it first!”
Commenting on the campaign, Dave Moore said: “Who said Blue Monday had to be depressing? We’re getting some of Ireland’s top comedians on the show to turn your frowns upside down, we guarantee to have you in stiches all through the morning.
“So tune in to our Blue Monday comedy special – We promise you’ll be laughing so hard you won’t even remember what day it is!” […]

Over €330,000 has been awarded by Coimisiún na Meán to media events and activities for 2025.
In the latest round of the Sponsorship Scheme, 32 successful applications include festivals supporting animation, film and television, seminars and conferences, and awards recognising journalism and the creativity of Ireland’s audiovisual and broadcasting industries.
Radio Days Ireland has also been awarded money to operate its conference next month in Dublin, whilst University College Cork has money to produce Broadcast to Podcast: 100 years of Radio in the Republic of Ireland.
Commenting on the launch of the new Sponsorship Scheme round, Coimisiún na Meán Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “Coimisiún na Meán is committed to developing a media landscape which reflects and shapes who we are as a society.
“We believe that a vibrant, well-funded media sector is crucial to ensure that Irish audiences get to enjoy the best of Irish media.
“Our Sponsorship Scheme allows us to play an important role in supporting a wide range of media events and activities across the island of Ireland, that reflect the diversity of Irish society and recognise the creativity and innovation in media today.
“I am delighted to announce the successful applicants for our Sponsorship Scheme for 2025, and we look forward to another year of exciting events and activities which strengthen Ireland’s media landscape.’’

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The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland has welcomed the Programme for Government which acknowledges and pledges action on crucial areas for independent radio.
The Programme says the Government will:
• Ensure “accessible funding for local radio and print media to support the provision of objective news and current affairs content”.
• Review the Sound and Vision Scheme to support broadcasters and “make it easier to access and ensure proportionate and accessible funding for independent radio”.
• Strengthen the Local Democracy and Court Reporting Schemes “to ensure they are meeting their intended objectives”.
• Explore options “to maintain access to local and commercial radio”.
Michael Kelly, Chief Executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, has issued the following statement on the move:
“The Programme sets a positive foundation for us to engage with the new Media Minister, and we will be rolling up our sleeves and working constructively with the Minister and the Government to action the Programme’s policies dealing with our sector.
“The document promises to ensure supports for the independent radio sector are proportionate and accessible, and that is essential.
“The Media section of the Programme provides a strong basis for positively and constructively progressing key issues to ensure a strong independent radio sector. We very much look forward to an early meeting with the new Minister to progress the policies as soon as possible,” he added.
“We are very grateful to all of those who were involved in negotiating and putting together the Programme for Government for seeing the need to address major issues facing independent radio.
“We will now work together with Government to help ensure the actions are delivered, and to put in place measures needed to ensure a more level playing-field in the media sector.
“He noted that the Programme states that “independent media, both nationally and locally, performs a vital public service”. […]

The Home of Innovation is the new title sponsor of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM.
The sponsorship, which was secured by Media Central, will see the home appliance provider become an integral part of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show through stings, promotions and cross station digital display.
Commenting on the new partnership, Ian Dempsey said: “We’re all delighted here in Today FM towers to welcome The Home of Innovation onboard as title sponsor of The Breakfast Show for 2025.
“A lot of our listeners tune in to the show in their kitchens every morning as they eat their breakfast, get the morning headlines and pack up for the day ahead so to have a sponsor that’s an expert in kitchens and home appliances, we feel, is a perfect match for us.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with The Home of Innovation and we fully expect our early bird listeners to love the new partnership as well.”
Commenting on the sponsorship Maeve McCarey, Head of Marketing at BSH Ireland said: “We are very excited to come on board as title sponsors of the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show. At the Home of Innovation, we show you the leading kitchen appliance brands, Bosch, Siemens and NEFF. Brands that value and encourage quality – with innovative and sustainable kitchen appliances – that are designed for healthy and comfortable living. We look forward to the year ahead and bringing our knowledge and expertise to Ian’s listeners.
Sponsorship Director of Media Central, Ross McDonnell said: “There’s few names as well known on Irish Radio as Ian Dempsey and we’re delighted to welcome the Home of Innovation as new title sponsors of the show. Working closely with OMD and Bosch we’re especially looking forward to activating the partnership across the year, allowing Ian to inform his huge listenership all that the Home of Innovation has to offer.”

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Classic Hits 80s is back on FM for the third year running.
The station is broadcasting to Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway & Clare for 30 days from December 28th under a temporary radio licence from Coimisiún na Meán using some of the FM frequencies operated by Christmas FM.
This year, Rick Dees will return to the station’s lineup to bring his Weekly Top 40 radio show from the 1980s as well as Lucy Kennedy, Colm Hayes, Trina Mara, Damien Farrelly and many more.
Classic Hits 80s will give a taste of the greatest decade in music to Irish radio listeners, with the station ‘Living in the 80’s’, travelling back in time and presenting the 80s it is the present day so that listeners can live in the 1980s once again.
Those tuning in will hear news stories from the 1980s broadcast as live across the day and can join regular presenters from Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio such as Lucy Kennedy, Colm Hayes, Damian Farrelly, Trina Mara, Phil Cawley, Dave MacCardle, Nikki Manley and Jen Larke as well as radio presenters Matt Dempsey, Bob Conway, Mike O’Brien, Paul McGuinness, Declan Ralph, Mel Byrne and more.
Classic Hits 80s has been put together by Matt Dempsey (Station Manager), Dave Kelly (Consultant), Robbie Fogarty (Music) and Kevin Branigan.
Matt Dempsey says, “I’m delighted to be involved in such an exciting project once again , working with great people and reliving a great decade of music. Reaction from listeners in Dublin , Cork Limerick and Galway has been incredible over the last 2 years”.
CEO Kevin Branigan says, “We’re very excited to be returning on FM with Classic Hits 80s for a third year. We’ve put a lot of effort into it for this year and our mix of nostalgia, great music and stellar presenters is sure to be a hit on the radio dial. We’re always trying to drive awareness of Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and bringing back Classic Hits 80s back onto FM is a fun and exciting way to do that. While our main station continues from Studio 1, Classic Hit 80s will come from next door in Studio 2 – both broadcasting on the FM dial in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway & Clare. It will be a very busy but enjoyable month for us”.
FM frequencies:
Dublin: 105,2 MhzCork: 106.7 MhzGalway: 87.9 MhzLimerick/Clare: 105.5 Mhz. […]

Christmas FM is running its annual Donation Day today to raise funds for The Magic of Christmas Appeal.
The pop-up station is having a 12 hour long festive radiothon from 7am – 7pm, packed with Christmas hits and seasonal goodwill.
Christmas FM is asking listeners to help Give the Gift of Childhood to children who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas. Donations can be made through christmasfm.com or by calling 0818 911 977.
The Magic of Christmas was launched in 2022, with the aim of raising €1,000,000 over a three-year period for the charities. The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal raised almost €325,000 last year for the charities, with donations raised between 2022 and 2023 totalling €618,706 overall.

Paul Shepherd, Co-Founder of Christmas FM, says: “This year marks our 17th year Switching Christmas On across Ireland. Since our launch in 2008, we’ve raised over €3.5 million for various charities nationwide – which is a huge milestone for us.
“With the incredible support of our listeners and fans, we’re committed to continuing this tradition of giving. While we’ve been fundraising throughout the festive season and will carry on while we’re on FM, Donation Day is especially important.
“It’s our chance to maximise support for The Magic of Christmas Appeal and we’re calling on everyone to tune in, donate, and join us in making a difference!”

People all over the world are watching Donation Day LIVE on our website! 🎥💃 pic.twitter.com/rDmgq5GCe1
— Christmas FM (@christmasfm) December 19, 2024

Commenting on Donation Day, the charity partners jointly said: “We are delighted to be working with The Magic of Christmas Appeal for the third consecutive year. Last year’s incredible support made a profound difference to children across Ireland, and we’re very much looking forward to Donation Day on Thursday, 19th December.
“We hope Christmas FM listeners and fans will join us by donating whatever they can to help transform the lives of children in communities across Ireland. With the generosity of listeners, we can Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child really does deserve magic at Christmas.”
Christmas FM is broadcasting from The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley who have kindly donated their studio space again this year. […]