Ireland

Anton Savage is taking over Breakfast at Newstalk whilst Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman move to drivetime.
The changes mark a reshaped daytime line-up across the station, including Claire Byrne joining the mid-morning slot and Pat Kenny moving to a new weekend programme later in the year.
Anton will become the first solo presenter of Newstalk Breakfast in more than 20 years, hosting the programme from 7am to 9am on weekdays, following several years presenting magazine-style shows at weekends.
Commenting on the move, Anton said he was aware of the legacy of the slot and aimed to continue its pace and relevance, describing his goal as delivering a programme that is “fast, informed and fun to listen to”.
Ciara and Shane will leave Breakfast after five years together and take over The Hard Shoulder from 4pm to 7pm, bringing their partnership to the evening commute for the first time.
Ciara said she was looking forward to returning to a time slot she has long enjoyed, adding that she was excited to begin the next chapter alongside Shane.
Shane said he was eager to join listeners on their journey home after many years presenting to morning commuters, and said the pair were keen to get started in their new role.
Andrea Gilligan will continue to present Lunchtime Live from midday, while Seán Moncrieff remains in the afternoon slot from 2pm to 4pm.
Claire Byrne is set to take over the mid-morning programme in 2026, succeeding Pat. Speaking when her appointment was announced, Claire described the move as a significant career milestone and said it was an honour to follow Pat’s work on the station.
Pat will begin new Saturday and Sunday programmes from 10am to midday in March 2026, leading to changes across the weekend schedule.
Newstalk managing editor Eric Moylan said the changes represent the most significant schedule update in the station’s history, with listeners remaining central to future plans.
The new weekday schedule begins on Tuesday, 3rd February. […]

Radio Kerry Radio Bingo has distributed €100,000 to four Kerry charities, with €25,000 allocated to each organisation to support services across the county.
The funding has gone to Kerry Hospice Foundation, Recovery Haven, Kerry Cancer Support Group and Comfort for Chemo Kerry.
The latest allocation brings the total amount raised and distributed by Radio Kerry Radio Bingo since its launch in May 2021 to €519,776, all generated through weekly participation by Radio Kerry listeners.
Representatives from the four charities visited Radio Kerry today to discuss how the funding will be used and the impact it will have on people across Kerry who rely on their services.
They are joining Joe McGill on The Saturday Supplement, between 9am and 11am, to talk about current projects and future plans. Those taking part are Jenny Tarrant from Kerry Hospice Foundation, Marisa Reidy from Recovery Haven, Breda Dyland from Kerry Cancer Support Group, Mikey Sheehy from Comfort for Chemo Kerry, along with Fiona Stack, CEO of Radio Kerry.
The funding will support a range of services including hospice care, cancer support transport, counselling services and development projects designed to help patients and families at different stages of illness and recovery.
Fiona said the ongoing support from listeners continues to make a meaningful difference locally. “It is a powerful reflection of community spirit in Kerry, and we are proud to help raise funds for organisations providing essential services every day.”
Radio Kerry Radio Bingo operates weekly, with proceeds directed back into community and voluntary groups across the county, supporting projects that focus on care, wellbeing and practical support for those who need it most.
Further information about Radio Kerry Radio Bingo, including a list of participating shops where bingo books can be purchased, is available at Radio Kerry Radio Bingo. […]

The Sound of Waterford – WLR FM was named the IMRO Radio Awards Local Station of the Year. Picture Andres Poveda

The Daily Mail Group has agreed to acquire The Irish Times’ seventy five per cent shareholding in WLR FM, marking the organisation’s first step into radio in Ireland.
The Share Purchase Agreement was signed on Tuesday and is now subject to regulatory approval.
WLR Director Des Whelan will remain as a part-owner, retaining his twenty five per cent share under the new structure.
The Irish Times became a shareholder in WLR in 2018 through its purchase of Landmark Media Group, the former owner of the Examiner, the Echo and a number of regional titles.
The divestment completes the group’s move away from radio as it focuses on investing in its publishing titles and strengthening digital services for readers and subscribers.
The group had already sold its shareholdings in Beat 102-103 and Cork’s Red FM, which were also part of Landmark.
Irish Times Group Chief Financial Officer Michael Sheehan said WLR has been central to Waterford for many years and that the transaction gives the station an opportunity to begin a new chapter.
Michael thanked staff for their dedication over the decades and highlighted the station’s achievement of winning local radio station of the year five times since last year.

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Today FM has begun a countrywide search to find Ireland’s most Christmassy pub as December gets underway.

The station is inviting pubs of all sizes to put themselves forward, with the winning venue set to host a live broadcast with presenter Louise Cantillon on 17 December.
Louise said she is looking forward to meeting the people behind the entries and visiting pubs where the festive atmosphere is at its strongest, adding that pubs are “the beating heart of so many communities” and become “little hubs of magic and togetherness” during the season.
Across towns and cities, publicans are being encouraged to submit their festive displays for consideration. Today FM is looking for pubs that create a memorable experience for customers, whether through extensive lighting, floor-to-ceiling decorations, seasonal garlands, warm fires or imaginative displays that demonstrate local creativity.
The initiative is open to every type of premises, from busy urban venues to smaller rural pubs keen to show how they have transformed their spaces for Christmas.

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