Ireland

Independent radio stations across Ireland have welcomed confirmation of continued funding for news and current affairs as part of Budget 2026.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan has announced €3 million of ringfenced funding next year for local, regional, multi-city and national stations in the independent sector.
John Purcell, Chair of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI), said the move recognises the value of what the sector delivers. “We are very grateful to the Minister for the funding in the Budget, which recognises the essential news and current affairs services provided to listeners all over Ireland and the unique regulatory obligations of our stations.”
Michael Kelly, Chief Executive of IBI, added that the investment would be well used. “Our journalists, presenters, producers and editors perform work which is vital for democracy, for informed citizens, and for social cohesion. Our sector is a key bulwark against misinformation and disinformation so this is an important announcement.”
Further measures in the Budget include €1 million of additional funding for digital transformation in the media sector and €1.4 million extra for the Sound and Vision Scheme, which supports high-quality programming. A further €1.1 million will go to the Government’s Counter-Disinformation Strategy, and funding will continue for Local Democracy and Court Reporting Schemes.
The funding will be managed through Coimisiún na Meán.
IBI represents local, regional, multi-city and national radio stations across Ireland which together reach more than 2.5 million listeners every day. […]

RTÉ Radio 1 has announced the broadcast schedule for the ten shortlisted entries in this year’s RTÉ Short Story Competition, ahead of the live final later this month.
The stories will air each night on Late Date from Monday 13 October, read by a line-up of Irish actors including Eileen Walsh, Andrew Bennett and Janet Moran. All ten stories will also be published on RTÉ Culture over the weekend of 11 and 12 October.
The competition will culminate in a live Arena special from the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire on Friday 24 October at 7pm, hosted by Rick O’Shea with judges Neil Hegarty, Tristan Rosenstock and Jan Carson, along with the shortlisted writers.
The broadcast schedule opens with Witness by Lynda McCarthy and continues through the week with new readings each evening, including It Must Have Come First by Sage Omar, Feeding Time by Sinéad Troy, Wolves by Peter McCauley and Corrán na Maidine by Niall Ó Siadhail. The readings resume on Sunday 19 October with Labels by Mary O’Rourke, followed by Kazakhstan by Kevin McDermott, A Spectrum of Sorrow by Angela Finn, Pool Story by Jill Kenny and Auntie and Anto and Ivy and Ava by Ian Feighery.
Each story will be performed by an Irish actor, continuing RTÉ’s long-running tradition of bringing new writing to the airwaves and highlighting emerging voices from across the country.
More information about the shortlisted stories and the final event is available at rte.ie/culture.

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Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has appointed Nicki Manley as its new Deputy Programme Director.
Nicki, who joined the station in 2023, currently presents Weekend Breakfast and will continue to do so alongside her new role.
She was recognised last year with a bronze award for Newcomer of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards.
Before entering broadcasting full-time, Nicki worked in Human Resources, developing skills in leadership and organisation which she now brings to her expanding role in radio.
Nicki said she was delighted with the opportunity, adding: “Radio has always been a passion of mine and I’m looking forward to using my experience, both on air and in the world of HR, to support the team and continue developing the strong programming that Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio is known for.”
Kevin Branigan, CEO of Bay Broadcasting, said Nicki had already shown great commitment and creativity at the station. “She is the ideal fit for this role and will bring strong ideas and leadership to our programming team while continuing to engage listeners every weekend,” he said.
Nicki’s appointment strengthens the programming team at Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, which continues to grow its profile across Ireland’s commercial radio landscape.

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The 2025 IMRO Radio Awards took place on Friday at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny, bringing together broadcasters from across Ireland to recognise another standout year in radio.
Hosted by Dermot Whelan, the event celebrated achievements in news, music, sport, current affairs, entertainment and innovation, with winners announced in 42 categories.
Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards committee, Chris Doyle, said the standard this year had been “exceptional”, adding that it was a privilege to celebrate the “talent, passion, and dedication that make our industry so vibrant.”
The ceremony featured the largest number of entries in over a decade, reflecting the continued strength and creativity of radio across Ireland and its vital role in connecting audiences.
The evening also honoured three new inductees to the Hall of Fame – John Bowman (RTÉ), Fr. Brian D’Arcy (BBC Radio Ulster) and Scott Williams (ONIC) – for their outstanding contribution and lifelong dedication to Irish broadcasting.
In addition, RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline at 40 received this year’s Outstanding Achievement award.
Today FM was named National Station of the Year, while RTÉ Lyric fm took Music Station of the Year and Clare FM won Local Station of the Year.
Midlands 103 claimed Radio Moment of the Year for “My Son Sits in Two Different Coffins”, while Louise Cantillon from Today FM was named Music and Entertainment Presenter of the Year.In speech categories, Sarah McInerney of RTÉ Radio 1 took Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service, and Joe Nash from Live 95 won the Local/Regional equivalent.
BBC Radio Ulster secured several awards, including A Century of Stories for Music Special, Stephen Nolan for News Broadcaster, and Saturday with John Toal for Magazine Programme.Among the local and regional winners were Ocean FM, Galway Bay FM, and Radio Kerry, which also celebrated success for Yuliia Riabova, named Newcomer of the Year.
Eleanor McEvoy, Chair of IMRO, highlighted the local roots of radio, saying that when a station reflects its listeners, “something magic happens. People hear themselves in it. They feel seen, and they feel connected.”
She said that connection is what keeps radio distinctive, adding: “If everything starts to sound the same, society loses something vital – the colour, richness, and individuality that makes every city and county unique.”
Coimisiún na Meán Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly praised the work of the sector, noting that since 2023, the body has re-licensed 24 commercial radio broadcasters.
She said €1.5 million has gone to radio stations and €1.6 million to independent radio producers last year, with a further €3 million ringfenced for commercial radio under the current News Reporting Scheme.
Aoife added that upcoming research will examine how radio can continue to serve Irish audiences, with consultation planned as part of a new Broadcasting Services Strategy.

IMRO Radio Awards 2025 – Full List of Winners
A1 General Music ProgrammeGold: Ray Foley on Today FM – Today FMSilver: The Lunchtime Show with Stephen Keogh – Tipp FMBronze: Dave Moore on Today FM – Today FM
A2 Specialist Music ProgrammeGold: Today FM Soundtracks with Dara Quilty – Today FMSilver: Peggy’s Dream: Martin Hayes and the National Symphony Orchestra (RTÉ Lyric Live with Paul Herriott) – RTÉ Lyric fmBronze: 98FM Dance with Mark McCabe – 98FM
A3 Breakfast ProgrammeGold: 98FM’s Big Breakfast with Rebecca & Brendan – 98FMSilver: Spin’s Fully Charged with Ed and Valerie – Spin South WestBronze: Lorraine and Ross in the Morning – Cork’s 96FM
A4 Music Special / Music EventGold: A Century of Stories – BBC Radio UlsterSilver: Together We Sing – RTÉ Lyric fmBronze: RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards – RTÉ Radio 1
A5 IMRO Irish Music Programme or InitiativeGold: The All Irish Music Hour on the Nova Guestlist – Radio NovaSilver: New Moves with Niamh Daly – Radio KerryBronze: Lament for Art O’Leary – RTÉ Radio 1
B1 News Story / News EventGold: Justice for Joe – Midlands 103Silver: Trumptastic: The Return of Donald Trump – NewstalkBronze: Vanessa O’Callaghan – Attack on the Streets – 98FM
B2 News Programme – Full ServiceGold: News at One – The Death of Pope Francis – RTÉ Radio 1Silver: Good Morning Ulster, Belfast Riots – BBC Radio UlsterBronze: Armagh For Sam, Evening Extra – BBC Radio Ulster
B3 News Programme – Local / RegionalGold: Ocean FM Lunchtime News – Aftermath of Storm Eowyn – Ocean FMSilver: Q102 Lunchtime Latest – Dublin’s Q102Bronze: 2024 Local Election Coverage – Highland Radio
B4 Current Affairs Programme – Full ServiceGold: Drivetime – RTÉ Radio 1Silver: Today with Claire Byrne – RTÉ Radio 1Bronze: The Pat Kenny Show – Newstalk
B5 Current Affairs Programme – Local / RegionalGold: A Woman’s Worst Nightmare – Live 95Silver: North West Today – Ocean FMBronze: Morning Focus – Clare FM
B6 Sports StoryGold: The Day We Beat The Dubs – Galway Bay FMSilver: Sprint for the Line – The Making of Team Ireland’s Athletes – Dublin’s Q102Bronze: Kellie’s Room – RTÉ Radio 1
B7 Sports Programme – Full ServiceGold: Off The Ball – NewstalkSilver: Off The Ball Live – NewstalkBronze: Jacqui in Paris (Olympic Games 2024) – RTÉ Radio 1
B8 Sports Programme – Local / RegionalGold: Dublin Sport Today – Dublin’s Q102Silver: The Final Whistle – Ocean FMBronze: Live at Glór – Clare FM
C1 DocumentaryGold: RTÉ Documentary On One – Voice Notes Before Voice Notes – RTÉ Radio 1Silver: Can You Hear Me? Dispatches from the World’s Forgotten War – NewstalkBronze: RTÉ Documentary On One – Heart and Soul Horses – RTÉ Radio 1
C2 Music, Arts & Culture DocumentaryGold: Der Musikmann – An Irishman in Cologne (The Lyric Feature) – RTÉ Lyric fmSilver: The Hazard of the Die – BBC Radio UlsterBronze: Shogun Sessions: Irish Music in Japan – RTÉ Lyric fm
C3 Short FeatureGold: Bird Songs with Seán Ronayne – RTÉ Lyric fmSilver: Brian O’Connell Reports – RTÉ Radio 1Bronze: Heritage Hunters – RTÉ Radio 1
C4 Magazine ProgrammeGold: Saturday with John Toal – BBC Radio UlsterSilver: Moncrieff – NewstalkBronze: Countrywide – RTÉ Radio 1
C5 DramaGold: Truth, Love or Promise by Nuala McKeever – RTÉ Radio 1Silver: Fragile Maoilíosa by Charlie McGuinness – RTÉ Radio 1Bronze: The Cost of Living – RTÉ Radio 1
C6 Specialist Speech ProgrammeGold: Futureproof – NewstalkSilver: Daddy, What’s a Podcast? – BBC Radio UlsterBronze: Language of the Lough – RTÉ Radio 1
C7 Craoltóireacht le GaeilgeGold: Blas: Gearóid Ó Cairealláin 1957–2024 – BBC Gaeilge / BBC Radio UlsterSilver: Barrscéalta – RTÉ Raidió na GaeltachtaBronze: Spoken Stories Scoilteanna le Colm Ó Snodaigh – RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
C8 Interactive Speech ProgrammeGold: Talkabout – The Curious Case of The Dog and the Street Light – Radio KerrySilver: Souvenirs – The Neil Prendeville Show – RedFMBronze: The Nolan Show – BBC Radio Ulster
C9 Sustainability of the YearGold: Feather and Flock – Eagles (The Lyric Feature) – RTÉ Lyric fmSilver: Our Sustainable Village – RTÉjr RadioBronze: Hot Mess – RTÉ 2FM
D1 Community / Social ActionGold: The Autism School Place Crisis – WLR FMSilver: The Pat Kenny Show: Losing a Parent to Suicide – NewstalkBronze: Cork’s 96FM Radiothon – Cork’s 96FM
D2 On-Air Competition / PromotionGold: FM104’s Quid Games with Graham & Nathan – FM104Silver: Iano’s Sneaky Half Day – Today FMBronze: 98FM’s Dead Air – The Glam Reaper – 98FM
D3 Station ImagingGold: SPIN 1038 – SPIN 1038Silver: Radio Nova – Radio NovaBronze: 98FM – 98FM
D4 Entertainment InsertsGold: Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show – Today FMSilver: 2FM DRIVE with Doireann Garrihy – RTÉ 2FMBronze: Seriously Addictive Music News – Radio Nova
D5 Digital & Social InnovationGold: Q102 It’s My Game – Dublin’s Q102Silver: FM104’s Quid Games with Graham & Nathan – FM104Bronze: Dave & Fionnuala Do Your Job – iRadio
D6 Radio Station Podcast of the YearGold: Breaking the Silence: Surviving Sexual Assault – NewstalkSilver: Know Your Constituency – RTÉ Radio 1Bronze: Let Me Explain – RTÉ 2FM
E1 Music & Entertainment Presenter of the YearGold: Louise Cantillon – Today FMSilver: Doireann Garrihy – RTÉ 2FMBronze: Dave Duke – iRadio
E2 Radio DJ of the YearGold: John Creedon – RTÉ Radio 1Silver: Louise Duffy – RTÉ Radio 1Bronze: Marty Guilfoyle – 2FM
E3 Specialist Music Broadcaster of the YearGold: JJ O’Shea – Radio KerrySilver: Kieran Hanrahan – RTÉ Radio 1Bronze: Mark McCabe – 98FM
E4 News Broadcaster of the YearGold: Stephen Nolan – BBC Radio UlsterSilver: Richard Morgan – BBC Radio UlsterBronze: Jonathan Byrne – RTÉ Radio 1
E5 News Reporter of the YearGold: Josh Crosbie – NewstalkSilver: Emma Tyrrell – 98FMBronze: Henry McKean – Newstalk
E6 Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Full ServiceGold: Eoin Sheahan – NewstalkSilver: Nathan Murphy – NewstalkBronze: John Duggan – Newstalk
E7 Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Local / RegionalGold: Oisín Kelly – Highland RadioSilver: Odhrán Johnson – BeatBronze: Austin O’Callaghan – BBC Radio Foyle
E8 Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Full ServiceGold: Sarah McInerney – RTÉ Radio 1Silver: Claire Byrne – RTÉ Radio 1Bronze: Pat Kenny – Newstalk
E9 Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / RegionalGold: Joe Nash – Live 95Silver: Alan Corcoran – South East RadioBronze: Frank Mitchell – U105
E10 The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the YearGold: Yuliia Riabova – Radio KerrySilver: Courtney Callaghan – Midlands 103Bronze: Jessica Woodlock – Beat
F1 Radio Moment of the YearGold: My Son Sits in Two Different Coffins – Midlands 103Silver: Sweet Mother of Jesus – Galway Bay FMBronze: The Pat Kenny Show: Losing a Parent to Suicide – Newstalk
F2 Local Station of the YearGold: Clare FMSilver: Radio KerryBronze: Galway Bay FM
F3 Music Station of the YearGold: RTÉ Lyric fmSilver: RedFMBronze: FM104
F4 National Station of the YearGold: Today FMSilver: NewstalkBronze: RTÉ Radio 1 […]

Independent radio broadcasters are urging the Irish Government to use the forthcoming Budget to protect democracy and tackle the spread of disinformation.

In a Pre-Budget Submission, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) said fair and balanced journalism on independent radio is a crucial defence against misinformation and division spread online.
The IBI is seeking €4.5 million in funding to support independent radio stations across the country. This would represent less than 1.4 per cent of total media funding currently provided by the Exchequer.
Chief Executive Michael Kelly said the proposals were about fairness and resilience. “At a time of risk to democracy and social cohesion through misinformation and disinformation on social media and web platforms, there has never been a greater need for the trusted, accurate and balanced news and current affairs services which Ireland’s independent radio stations provide,” he said.
Michael added that radio journalists play a unique role in real-time fact-checking and providing citizens with accurate information unaffected by online algorithms. He said the Government now had an opportunity to create a level playing field in regulation and funding, echoing recent calls from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to strengthen support for independent and local media.
The IBI proposals include three key measures. Firstly, to continue the €3 million ringfenced funding introduced this year for public service journalism on independent radio. Secondly, to create a €1.5 million Capital and Critical Infrastructure Fund to maintain vital transmission systems relied upon during severe weather and national emergencies. Finally, to ringfence 30 per cent of all Sound & Vision Scheme funding for independent radio content, which the IBI says would carry no additional cost.
The organisation says these measures are necessary to prevent the development of news deserts in Ireland and to ensure that trusted local radio journalism remains a cornerstone of democratic life.

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Former Communicorp CEO Ciaran Davis has announced he will step down as CEO and Managing Director of ARN on 15 January 2026.
He will be succeeded by current Chief Operating Officer Michael Stephenson.
Davis has led ARN through major shifts including the launch of iHeartRadio, the sale of Adshel, investment into Soprano Design, and the high-profile recruitment of Kyle & Jackie O from SCA.
Davis, who was born in Ireland, began his radio career at Dublin’s 98FM, eventually rising to the top executive ranks. After 98FM he joined Communicorp, where he served in senior commercial and operational roles, including as Chief Operating Officer from around 2007 to 2010.
He oversaw commercial operations across Communicorp’s radio assets in Europe and the Middle East before being appointed CEO of ARN in 2010.
He remained in that top role for 16 years, and in 2015 he also became CEO & Managing Director of parent company HT&E. Under his guidance, ARN repositioned itself as a leader in Australian metropolitan radio.
In his statement, Davis said: “It has been a privilege to lead ARN Media over the past 16 years, working alongside a talented and passionate team. With a clear transformation strategy in place and an excellent successor in Michael, I believe now is the right time to step aside.
“I want to sincerely thank the incredible people at ARN Media I’ve had the pleasure of working with, as well as the Board, our shareholders, and clients for their ongoing support.”
Hamish McLennan, Chair of the Board, added: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Ciaran for his outstanding leadership and commitment. Under his stewardship, ARN Media has navigated a rapidly changing media landscape and kept the company at the forefront of innovation.
“We are grateful for his vision and dedication.” He noted that “strong succession planning ensures continuity for the business” and described Michael as “the ideal candidate to drive the company forward through its next phase.”
Stephenson, who moved into the COO role earlier this year from a long career in media sales across major Australian networks, has been integrated into ARN’s transformation agenda and will work alongside Davis and the Board over coming months to ensure a smooth handover.
Observers have noted that Davis’s departure arrives amid regulatory pressure on ARN over the Kyle & Jackie O show (which was found to have breached decency and complaint-handling rules) and that the change may help the company respond to enforcement challenges.
With thanks for our friends at Radio Today Australia for the additional information. […]