Ireland

A new wave of aspiring radio professionals have begun their journey in the January 2025 Broadcast Course at South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford, in collaboration with Beat 102-103 and WLR FM.
The Certificate in Radio and Podcasting, a hands-on introduction to broadcasting, presenting, and podcast production, officially commenced this week at SETU’s Cork Road campus. On Thursday, January 30th, sixteen students arrived, eager to take their first steps into the world of radio and podcasting as part of this year’s cohort.
Jointly developed and delivered by SETU, WLR FM, and Beat 102-103, the course blends academic expertise with real-world industry experience. It is taught by a mix of practicing broadcasters and lecturers, providing students with an inside look at how commercial radio stations operate and what it takes to thrive in the industry.
Designed as an entry-level, part-time, Level 6 qualification, the program welcomes students from all backgrounds—no prior experience in radio is required. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants gain hands-on experience in key broadcasting skills, giving them a valuable ‘foot in the door’ to the industry.
Speaking at the course launch, WLR FM CEO Michael Byrne expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s program: “We’re thrilled to once again be part of this fantastic initiative alongside SETU, Beat, and WLR. This course has played a vital role in shaping many talented broadcasters over the years, and we can’t wait to see what this year’s students will bring.”
SETU lecturer and former Beat 102-103 presenter Rob O’Connor highlighted the unique diversity of this year’s cohort: “The mix of students is truly exciting—they come from all walks of life. This year, we have a plumber, a nurse specializing in post-natal depression, a software developer, a men’s shed volunteer, and an HR professional with a deep love for music. The energy they bring to the classroom is amazing, and their discussions are always engaging.
“It’s fantastic to see fresh perspectives coming into radio and podcasting. The demos they produce are full of originality, and with the added professionalism that comes from working with Beat and WLR, they’re getting real, industry-level experience.”
Through a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on studio sessions, students will develop core broadcasting skills, including:

Researching and preparing scripts and running orders for radio broadcasts
Recording and editing audio for radio and podcast production
Presenting live and recorded speech content
Understanding legal and ethical guidelines in broadcasting
Exploring the role of radio journalists and presenters in the Irish media landscape
The 12-week course is set to conclude in April 2025, equipping students with the skills and confidence to pursue careers in radio, podcasting, and beyond. […]

Christmas FM has raised over €1 million over the past three years for a range of children’s charities.
The Magic of Christmas appeal was launched in 2022 with the goal of raising €1 million over a three-year period for Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and a number of children’s charities making a difference in communities through Community Foundation Ireland.
The Magic of Christmas appeal raised €294,706 in 2022, €324,000 in 2023 and €420,792 in 2024. The funds will be used to support 5,000 vulnerable children in our communities affected by traumatic life events such as poverty, abuse, neglect and bereavement, and to assist children whose lives are affected by serious childhood illness.
Donations to The Magic of Christmas appeal in 2024 also mark the highest annual total raised since the station began broadcasting in 2008, reflecting the stations growing popularity and commitment to supporting charities during the festive season.
2024’s figure brings the total amount raised by the radio station to €1,039,498 over the past three years. Christmas FM is presented on air each year by up to 100 volunteers who devote hundreds of hours of their time assisted by a core management team.
Daragh O’Sullivan, Co-Founder of Christmas FM, says: “We are incredibly proud to have raised over €1 million for the Magic of Christmas appeal over the past three years – a fundraising initiative that supports vulnerable children across Ireland. This milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our loyal listeners and fans during the festive season.
“In 2024 alone, we raised an impressive €420,792, the highest annual total since Christmas FM began broadcasting 17 years ago. This is a massive achievement for us and we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our remarkable team and volunteers who bring the magic of Christmas FM to life year after year.
“We would also like to thank Coimisiún na Meán for granting us the license to broadcast Christmas FM across Ireland and our premier FM sponsors for 2024 – Cadbury, Coca-Cola, and An Post as well as Extra.ie, the official media partner of The Magic of Christmas appeal. A special thank you to The Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley too, for their continued generosity in providing studio space for the station.”
Commenting on the total amount raised, the charity partners jointly said: “Christmas FM has brought the true spirit of Christmas to life, raising an incredible €1 million through The Magic of Christmas appeal. This major milestone is a testament to the generosity of listeners and fans who have donated to the fundraising initiative over the last three years. So far, the funds raised from The Magic of Christmas have made a significant difference to the lives of thousands of children across Ireland and their families. We are deeply grateful to Christmas FM for their unwavering support and everyone who donated should be incredibly proud of their contributions to this important initiative.”
Coimisiún na Meán grants Christmas FM a 30-day temporary sound broadcasting license, which enables the station to broadcast on a range of frequencies throughout the country.
Aoife MacEvilly, Broadcasting & Video-On-Demand Commissioner for Coimisiún na Meán, said: “We were delighted to support Christmas FM again in 2024 by providing them with a temporary sound broadcasting licence. These types of short-term licences are typically awarded to community, education and/or special interest groups to support special events and/or other small area services. Coimisiún na Meán is committed to developing a media landscape that reflects and shapes who we are as a society and Christmas FM is a great example of how a temporary radio licence can support local communities around the country.”
This year, Christmas FM was sponsored by the premier FM sponsors Cadbury, Coca-Cola and An Post. Christmas FM was broadcast live from The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley.
In the photo:

Aoife MacEvilly, Broadcasting & Video-On-Demand Commissioner for Coimisiún na Meán
Kate Conroy, Head of Partnerships at Barnardos
Dee Ahearn – CEO – Barretstown
Daragh O’Sullivan, CO-Founder Christmas FM
Susan O’Dwyer, CEO Make-A-Wish […]

A new schedule for 2FM will see Carl Mullan, Roz Purcell and Aisling Bonner hosting the breakfast show from February.
In addition, Doireann Garrihy returns to present a brand new Drivetime show.
Mid-morning will continue with Laura Fox daily from 9am, while Tracy Clifford will take over at 12 noon.
The weekend schedule sees the addition of four new presenters, including Bennie Bracken, Helen Galgey, Mikey O’Reilly and presenting from Cork, Demi Issac who have all been selected from an expressions of interest competition which ran across the station last autumn.
Doireann Garrihy. Picture Andres Poveda
Head of RTÉ 2FM, Dan Healy said “I’m really excited to launch our daytime schedule with new and familiar voices on 2FM as we welcome back Doireann to present our new Drivetime show and look forward to Carl, Roz, and Aisling as our new breakfast hosts.
“Designed for today’s audience, the new schedule will have an emphasis on Irish and new music, inclusivity and original entertainment.
“Whether you’re starting the day, on your commute, or unwinding over the weekend, 2FM will have something fresh and exciting waiting for you.
“RTÉ 2FM has a proud history of identifying and nurturing incredible talent, with many of our presenters going on to have hugely successful careers in broadcasting. The weekend line-up is a continuation of that tradition, showcasing new voices that truly reflect the vibrancy and diversity of our audience.”

Demi Isaac Oviawe and . Picture Andres Poveda
RTÉ’s Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan, said: “For decades, RTÉ 2FM has been a launchpad for some of the most recognisable names in Irish broadcasting.
“This legacy continues on both our weekday and weekend schedules, as we continue to nurture the next generation of presenting talent and bring new voices to the national airwaves, I have no doubt that they will add their unique flavour to 2FM’s iconic sound and look forward to working with them and the entire team to engage and inspire listeners as we embark on a new and exciting era for 2FM.
“With this diversity of original Irish voices, and our renewed commitment to Irish music, 2FM will truly be the Sound of the Nation.”
Laura Fox. Picture Andres Poveda
Tracy Clifford. Picture Andres Poveda
The new daytime and weekend schedules launch in February 2025. […]

Radio stations across the country are making sure they are ready for Storm Eowyn on Friday.
Ireland’s independent services are ramping up preparations to ensure they are ready to quickly provide updated information to householders and businesses, along with RTE national stations.
Storm Eowyn is expected to be extremely severe in terms of damage and danger, and therefore information provided through radio stations will be needed by householders or businesses if electricity, water, or telecoms are affected, or if public safety information needs to be rapidly communicated by organisations like the local authorities, the Gardai or other emergency services.
Met Éireann has already issued a Status Red warning for the entire country from the early hours of Friday.
Michael Kelly, Chief Executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland commented today: “Our stations have ensured they are ready. At times of severe weather like this, radio is a vital source of information and householders or businesses are always advised to keep their FM radio nearby with spare batteries so they can hear news updates over the airwaves from our stations in relation to damage assessments, repair outlooks and other essential local and national information.
“Our 34 local, regional, and national stations are prepared. We know from past experience that mobile phone network sites, or indeed mobile phone handsets themselves, can be affected by power cuts, but the FM system is resilient and can communicate directly without need for broadband or internet access.
“FM provides local and national news and information directly to your radio. The independent radio sector has a total of more than 160 journalists across our stations as well as other essential staff dedicated to providing news updates and bulletins to listeners.
“Our people will be ensuring vital information is provided quickly to listeners, while keeping safe themselves.
“We have diesel generators at our stations and at our transmitter locations around the country and, as our radio stations are critical infrastructure, we work closely with ESB Networks. We assure our listeners we will be doing everything we can to provide uninterrupted provision of news and information.” […]

FM104’s drivetime presenter and programmer Ben Murray is the new Managing Editor at iRadio.
In his new role, under James Brownlow, Ben will be responsible for leading the audience growth strategy, focusing on iRadio’s content output.
Ben has worked in radio for over 20 years in music scheduling, programming strategy, talent development and as the host of FM104’s flagship Drivetime show, a role he held for over 12 years.
Ben joined Bauer Media Audio Ireland in 2023 as Music & Entertainment Planning Producer, working across SPIN, 98FM, and Today FM contributing to production and programming across the brands.
Ben Murray: “I am thrilled to take on the role of Managing Editor at iRadio and to continue contributing to Bauer Media Audio Ireland’s passion for creating original and exciting audio content. I’m excited to lead the next chapter of iRadio, alongside some of the most talented professionals in the industry.”
James Brownlow “Ben moving to iRadio is a key appointment to my senior content team making sure Bauer Media Audio Ireland is in the best shape and as focussed as ever to deliver for Irish audiences now and in the future.”

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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!” […]