Ireland

Freedom FM is back on FM radio across Ireland bringing its 90s and 00s hits to analogue listeners for 30 days.

The temporary FM licence allows the digital station to broadcast nationwide until 11 November, covering areas including Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, with full frequency details available on its website.
Freedom FM, which first launched in the mid-1990s, has built a loyal audience through DAB+ and online streaming. Its annual FM revival lets fans enjoy the station’s signature mix of pop, dance, R&B and indie tracks on traditional radio once again.
Station manager Sean Power said the return is about reconnecting with the station’s roots. “Whilst digital radio is showing us the future, there’s something special about hearing these tracks on your FM radio again, just like we did back in the day.”
The special FM run will include themed shows, listener requests and guest presenters, with appearances from TV personality Glenda Gilson, David Collins from Traitors Ireland, and Fair City actors Gerard Jordan, Matthew O’Brien and Sorcha Furlong.
Listeners can also continue to hear Freedom FM via DAB+ across Leinster, online at freedomfm.ie, on smart speakers and through its free mobile app.

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RTÉ Radio 1 has announced a full refresh of its weekday schedule following the news of Ray D’Arcy’s departure.

The new schedule includes Today with David McCullagh at 9am, Oliver Callan moving to an extended mid-morning slot at 11am, while Rachael English remains at the helm of News at One, keeping listeners informed with live reports and expert analysis.
From 1.45pm, Kieran Cuddihy takes over Liveline as the long-running programme celebrates its 40th anniversary, while Louise Duffy moves to 3pm for a show blending live music, celebrity guests and entertainment.
Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin will co-present Drivetime from the earlier time of 4pm, followed by a new daily sports programme from 6pm featuring interviews, previews and reviews of national and international sporting events.
Morning Ireland will continue to start the day at 7am, with two new presenters joining Audrey Carville and Gavin Jennings, to be announced soon.
RTÉ’s Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan, said the new schedule reflects changing listening habits while staying true to the station’s public service remit. “It’s been designed to give audiences the content they need across the day, from breaking news and analysis to music, chat and entertainment.”
Head of RTÉ Radio 1, Tara Campbell, added: “This new schedule introduces some new and younger voices while seeing many of our award-winning presenters move into new duties. We look forward to this revised line-up bringing listeners the very best mix across the day.”
RTÉ says the refreshed schedule reinforces its commitment to trusted journalism, distinctive Irish storytelling and high-quality entertainment for audiences across Ireland. […]

After more than a decade on air, Ray D’Arcy has presented his final edition of The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
Ray’s last programme was broadcast yesterday, marking the end of an eleven-year run that has seen him share thousands of hours of live radio, championing Irish music, personal stories and community initiatives.
Since launching on RTÉ Radio 1 in 2014, the show has featured a mix of human stories, interviews and light-hearted moments that became a familiar part of weekday afternoons. It also inspired the Run with Ray series, which encouraged people of all fitness levels to join five-kilometre community runs around the country.
RTÉ’s Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan, said: “I would like to sincerely thank Ray for his contribution to RTÉ Radio 1 over the last eleven years. While The Ray D’Arcy Show is not part of our future plans, we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Shay Byrne will take over the slot temporarily for the rest of the week, with RTÉ expected to confirm new schedule details shortly.
More information about RTÉ Radio 1 programming is available at rte.ie/radio1.

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Clare McKenna, Breaking the Silence: Surviving Sexual Assault, Newstalk, Winners of Radio Station Podcast of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.

See all the photos from the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 here.
Brenda Donohue, Rebecca Meehan, Annette Egan, Eoghan McLaughlin, Siobhan Hough, Ailish O’Shea, Tara Campbell, Winners of Outstanding Achievement for Live Line, RTÉ Radio One at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Brenda Donohue, Rebecca Meehan, Annette Egan, Eoghan McLaughlin, Siobhan Hough, Ailish O’Shea, Tara Campbell, Winners of Outstanding Achievement for Live Line, RTÉ Radio One at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Adam Nixon, John Toal & Ciara Riddell, Saturday with John Toal, BBC Radio Ulster, Winners of Magazine Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Adam Nixon, John Toal & Ciara Riddell, Saturday with John Toal, BBC Radio Ulster, Winners of Magazine Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Liam Coburn, John Fitzpatrick, Gary Bailey, Chloe Finlay, Dan Clarke, Q102 It’s My Game, Winners of Digital & Social Innovation at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Liam Coburn, John Fitzpatrick, Gary Bailey, Chloe Finlay, Dan Clarke, Q102 It’s My Game, Winners of Digital & Social Innovation at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Liam Coburn, John Fitzpatrick, Gary Bailey, Chloe Finlay, Dan Clarke, Q102 It’s My Game, Winners of Digital & Social Innovation at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Kieran McGuiness, The All Irish Music Hour on the Nova Guestlist, Winners of IMRO Irish Music Programme or Initiative at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Emily & Kieran McGuiness, The All Irish Music Hour on the Nova Guestlist, Winners of IMRO Irish Music Programme or Initiative at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Clare McKenna, Breaking the Silence: Surviving Sexual Assault, Newstalk, Winners of Radio Station Podcast of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Clare McKenna, Breaking the Silence: Surviving Sexual Assault, Newstalk, Winners of Radio Station Podcast of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Michael O’Kane, Sinead Wylde, Gail Henry, Bird Songs with Seán Ronayne, RTÉ Lyric FM, Winners of Short Feature at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Michael O’Kane, Sinead Wylde, Gail Henry, Bird Songs with Seán Ronayne, RTÉ Lyric FM, Winners of Short Feature at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Damien Tiernan & Jennifer Long, The Autism School Place Crisis, WLR FM, Winners of Community / Social Action at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Deirdre Walsh, Talkabout – The Curious Case of The Dog and the Street Light, Radio Kerry, Winners of Interactive Speech Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Deirdre Walsh, Talkabout – The Curious Case of The Dog and the Street Light, Radio Kerry, Winners of Interactive Speech Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Deirdre Walsh & Olivia Crean, Talkabout – The Curious Case of The Dog and the Street Light, Radio Kerry, Winners of Interactive Speech Programme pictured with her family Dermot and Olivia at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Joe Nash, Live 95, Winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Joe Nash, Live 95, Winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Joe Nash, Live 95, Winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Michael O’Kane, Feather and Flock – Eagles (The Lyric Feature), RTÉ Lyric FM, Winners of Sustainability at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Michael O’Kane, Feather and Flock – Eagles (The Lyric Feature), RTÉ Lyric FM, Winners of Sustainability at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Michael O’Kane, Feather and Flock – Eagles (The Lyric Feature), RTÉ Lyric FM, Winners of Sustainability at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Hazel Nolan, Dublin Sport Today, Dublin Q102, Winners of Sports Programme – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Hazel Nolan, Dublin Sport Today, Dublin Q102, Winners of Sports Programme – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Gorretti Slavin on behalf of Truth, Love or Promise by Nuala McKeever, RTÉ Radio 1, Drama on One, Winners of Drama at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Gorretti Slavin on behalf of Truth, Love or Promise by Nuala McKeever, RTÉ Radio 1, Drama on One, Winners of Drama at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Gorretti Slavin on behalf of Truth, Love or Promise by Nuala McKeever, RTÉ Radio 1, Drama on One, Winners of Drama at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Josh Crosbie, Newstalk, Winners of News Reporter of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Josh Crosbie, Newstalk, Winners of News Reporter of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Josh Crosbie, Newstalk, Winners of News Reporter of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Shauna O’Reilly, Ian Dempsey & Paul Duffy, Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM, Winners of Entertainment Inserts at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Shauna O’Reilly, Ian Dempsey & Paul Duffy, Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM, Winners of Entertainment Inserts at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Shauna O’Reilly, Ian Dempsey & Paul Duffy, Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, Today FM, Winners of Entertainment Inserts at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Barry Lenihan, Will Hanafin, Sarah McInerney, Brian Lally & John Cooke, Drivetime, RTÉ Radio 1, Winners of Current Affairs Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Barry Lenihan, Will Hanafin, Sarah McInerney, Brian Lally & John Cooke, Drivetime, RTÉ Radio 1, Winners of Current Affairs Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
JJ O Shea, Radio Kerry, Winners of Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
JJ O Shea, Radio Kerry, Winners of Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
JJ O Shea, Radio Kerry, Winners of Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Graham O’Toole, Nathan O’Reilly, FM104’s Quid Games with Graham & Nathan, Winners of On-Air Competition / Promotion at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Katie Chubb, Graham O’Toole, Nathan O’Reilly, Niamh O’Reilly & Kinga Piotrowska, FM104’s Quid Games with Graham & Nathan, Winners of On-Air Competition / Promotion at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Katie Chubb, Graham O’Toole, Nathan O’Reilly, Niamh O’Reilly & Kinga Piotrowska, FM104’s Quid Games with Graham & Nathan, Winners of On-Air Competition / Promotion at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Peter Cinnamond on behalf of Stephen Nolan, BBC Radio Ulster, Winners of News Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
George Hamilton, Der Musikmann – An Irishman in Cologne (The Lyric Feature), RTÉ Lyric FM, Winners of Music, Arts & Culture Documentary at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Michael O’Kane & George Hamilton, Der Musikmann – An Irishman in Cologne (The Lyric Feature), RTÉ Lyric FM, Winners of Music, Arts & Culture Documentary at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Ciaran O’Connor, Nick Karkazis & Shane Keena SPIN 1038, Winners of Station Imaging at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Ciaran O’Connor, Nick Karkazis & Shane Keena SPIN 1038, Winners of Station Imaging at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Ciaran O’Connor, Nick Karkazis & Shane Keena SPIN 1038, Winners of Station Imaging at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 3rd October 2025. Photo by Andres Poveda.

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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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