Ireland

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. […]

Broadcaster Kathryn Thomas is joining Q102 in the new year to host the breakfast show.
The change happens in February when the station will reveal a rebrand including new logo.
The former Radio 1 presenter is known for hosting RTÉ television shows such as ‘No Place Like Home’ ‘My Body Fix’, ‘Operation Transformation’ and ‘The Voice of Ireland’.
Kathryn currently co-hosts The Rose of Tralee and began her journey on the TV series No Frontiers.
She also has some radio presenting experience, having worked on RTÉ Radio 1 over the years. More recently, Kathryn combined her passion for travel and well-being to set up her own business Pure Results, where she runs fitness and wellness retreats in Ireland and abroad.
Speaking about her new breakfast show, Kathryn said: “I’ve wanted my own radio show for such a long time but it was really about finding the right fit. Dublin’s Q102 is relaunching with a new vision and I loved the idea of brightening up people’s mornings, being curious and caring about issues that matter for Dubliners.
“I’ve been living in Dublin for the last 25 years and it’s most definitely the place I love to be. It’s my home, where my kids were born and the city I love most in the world.
“I’m not a newbie to radio having done loads of radio work for RTÉ, but having the opportunity to put my own stamp and style on a show is definitely the next exciting step for me. The people I have met so far in Q102 have already made me feel very welcome.
“I’m really looking forward to this new chapter and absolutely delighted to be working alongside Ryan again, but what I’m most excited about is having the opportunity to wake Dublin up with great chat, banter and tunes every morning!”
Vivienne Nagle, Managing Director of Dublin’s Q102, said: “As a business, we’re thrilled to announce that the new home for Kathryn is on Dublin’s Q102.
“The Morning Show with Kathryn Thomas on Dublin’s Q102 is going to be a bright place to be and a bright listen and watch, both on air and across all our platforms. Her naturally lively and engaging personality and her experience of listener and audience engagement speaks for itself. She’s a natural communicator.
“Kathryn’s show will begin airing in February and will be part of a relaunch for Dublin’s Q102 which will also include a new logo, a new strategic vision and new brand values – always being curious, social and bright. Once we had set out our strategy, Kathryn was the obvious choice for breakfast and she will work hand in glove with Ryan who follows her show at 10am.
“Liam Coburn, a long standing Q102 presenter, will follow with ‘Feel Good Afternoon’s’ as well as other familiar Q102 presenters like Martin King at the weekend. Dublin’s Q102 – Brighten Your Day!”
The new schedule for Dublin’s Q102 launching in February 2025 is:
7am – 10am The Morning Show with Kathryn Thomas10am – 1pm The Ryan Tubridy Show sponsored by Hyundai1pm – 6.30pm Feel Good Afternoons with Liam Coburn sponsored by Mooney’s Hyundai6.30pm – 7pm Dublin Today – All the news you need to know with Elizabeth Hearst7pm – 12am Feel Good Evenings […]

KCLR’s Light Up Carlow Kilkenny event is taking place tonight as part of the station’s Spirit of Christmas campaign.
At 7 o’clock on Friday December 6th thousands of people across Kilkenny and Carlow are set to light up their areas.
The station is urging individuals, homes, sports clubs, businesses and local neighbourhoods to join together to shine lights – candles, lamps, Christmas Trees, phone torches, whatever will shine some light – in support of Kilkenny’s Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre and St Claire’s Hospitality Kitchen in Carlow.
The station says that it is expecting a totally unique event as the response to the initiative so far has been overwhelming with messages of commitment flooding into the station since it was first announced as the kick off to the fundraising efforts to the stations annual Spirit of Christmas campaign.
“At a time of so much discord, uncertainty, war and disasters around the world, the response to our call to “Shine a Light” from all quarters across our area has been heartwarming,” according to Pat Gardiner, General Manager of KCLR.
“The Spirit of Christmas campaign is all about generosity, community spirit and people extending hospitality and kindness during the dark Winter months and raising funds for local charities,” according to Pat Gardiner.
As well as the “Light Up” initiative to assist Cois Nore and St Claire’s, the station is staging other events to help a wide range of other charities while sales of special Calendars produced by the young listeners of the John Walsh Breakfast Show are helping Carlow Kilkenny Homecare.
“Friday 6th is promising to be a really special occasion,” according to Pat Gardiner
“From people putting lights in their windows at home, to Kilkenny Castle, the Fire Service in Carlow, sports clubs, participants in the Streets of Kilkenny 10 k fun run, and street events in places like Bagnelstown and Ballyragget, as well as all the newly elected TDs, thousands will be taking time out to take part in this unique radio moment.”
As if all that wasn’t enough, the station is giving away Centre Parc Vouchers worth €3000 to people who submit the best photos of their “light up” events. […]

Christmas FM is back for 2024 from November 28th across Ireland.
The money-raising radio station plays nonstop Christmas songs and spreads festive cheer each year on FM and other platforms.
Third class in St. Saviour’s National School in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow are to officially turn on the radio station tomorrow.
The class won a competition run by Christmas FM to find a team of very special little helpers to officially Switch Christmas On for 2024.
Christmas FM will be broadcasting live on FM from midday on the 28th November:

Cavan 92.8 FM
Clare 105.2 FM
Cork City, Part County 106.7 FM
Cork North, Part County 87.7 FM
Drogheda & Dundalk 104.2 FM
Dublin City & County 105.2 FM
Galway City 87.9 FM
Kildare North 88.1 FM
Kilkenny City 104.3 FM
Letterkenny 106.2 FM
Limerick City 105.5 FM
Longford 99.8 FM
Sligo Town 95.0 FM
South East 103.8 FM
Tralee/Killarney 105.0 FM
Waterford City 105.9 FM
Wicklow – Bray area 99.5 FM
Wicklow – Wicklow Town 106.6 FM

Christmas FM will also be available on the Christmas FM app, smart speakers, Virgin Media Channel 900 and eir TV.
Find out all the ways to listen here.
Christmas FM, which is celebrating its 17th year on air this year, has raised over €3.5 million euro for a range of charities since it began broadcasting.
It will be continuing with the Magic of Christmas Appeal – raising funds for three of Ireland’s leading children’s charities – Barnardos, Barretstown, and Make-A-Wish Ireland, along with a range of children’s charities across Ireland making a difference in local communities through Community Foundation Ireland.
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.
Garvan Rigby, co-founder of Christmas FM says: “We are so excited that Christmas FM is back to Switch Christmas On across Ireland for 2024, with the help of third class in St Saviour’s National School, for our 17th year on air. We can’t wait to sprinkle Christmas cheer and joy around the nation all throughout the festive season.
“An Post, Cadbury and Coca Cola have returned as premier FM sponsors for 2024 and The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley have also kindly donated their studio space again this year.
“Celebrating 17 years on air is a major milestone for us which we wouldn’t have reached without Coimisiún na Meán and our amazing listeners, fans and volunteers who have supported us and our chosen charities throughout the years.
“We are once again raising funds for The Magic of Christmas appeal, supporting a range of children’s charities across Ireland making a difference in local communities.” […]

Bay Broadcasting celebrated the launch of its refurbished studios in Castleforbes on Thursday.
Taoiseach Simon Harris attended the event to cut the ribbon on its new facilities which contains six full broadcast suites.
Bay Broadcasting CEO, Kevin Branigan, said, “This suite of six new broadcast studios represents a significant investment by Bay Broadcasting in our facilities, which will enable us to bring even more high quality programming to 2.8 million people in our various franchise areas.
“We were delighted to welcome An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, to cut the ribbon so that even more people enjoy our programme output through radio, social and digital into the future.”
Bay owns and operates Radio Nova and Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio from the same building in Dublin.

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Over €3.9 million in funding has been allocated for Round 54 of the of Sound and Vision Scheme by Coimisiún na Meán.
This latest round will fund the production of 35 projects across TV and radio by independent producers and broadcasters around the country.
97% of total funding as part of Round 54 has been provided to independent producers and approximately €1.4 million of all funding going to projects in the Irish language or bilingual.
Three of the awards include:
Joy to the World – This radio documentary series for KCLR 96FM celebrates Christmas with immigrant and New Irish Communities by joining in with their traditions, music, preparations, decorations, foods and exchanges of gifts
Mmanwu – This radio drama for broadcast on Newstalk delves into the complexities of maternal struggle, mental health, and the clash between tradition and modernity set against the vibrant backdrop of Dublin and Onitsha, Nigeria.
Voices of New Ireland – This thirteen part series for broadcast on Flirt FM explores cultural heritage, the Irish language, education, arts, and more, highlighting community achievements and integration through diverse cultures that shape modern Ireland.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán said: “Coimisiún na Meán is committed to ensuring a diversity and plurality of content, reflective of the people of Ireland including their languages, traditions, religious, and cultural diversity.
“We are delighted to have an opportunity to support projects which give a voice to this diversity. This round of Sound and Vision will raise awareness of, and explore, the unique experiences and cultural values of new Irish communities while delivering a diverse range of high-quality culturally relevant content for audiences.
“I would also like to thank Minister Catherine Martin for the allocation of an additional €2 million in funding. Sound & Vision remains a vital funding source for broadcasters and independent producers, enabling them to create programming for audiences that would otherwise not get made.” […]