Ireland

All the winners of the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 have been announced at the annual evening event in the Lyrath Estate Hotel Kilkenny.
The industry’s talent gathered to see Dermot Whelan and special guests announce and hand out the trophies from across the island.

The night started off with Dermot’s usual comedic round-up of the state of the radio industry, with special mentions for weekend people (as he is now one himself!), the Cash Machine, Nova being number one, and Bauer’s buying spree.
Bauer, now the biggest commercial radio operator in Ireland, won the most awards on the night, with a total of 45. They included 17 gold wins including the major categories of National Station of the Year for Newstalk and Music Station of the Year for Red FM.
In addition, the IMRO 24 Outstanding Achievement Award went to the Beat 102 103 Digital Media Literacy Tour for secondary schools. which saw Beat’s multi-platform content creators delivering 41 bilingual digital media literacy information sessions, on site, at twenty different secondary schools.

Beat Boss Gabrielle Cummins managed to make the only winning speech of the night, saying: “Digital Media & You involved so many talented Beat team members & they had valuable resources provided by Coimisiún na Meán, NCCA, Media Literacy Ireland, Webwise, Learning Waves, principals and teachers. Most importantly, we received honest, constructive feedback from first year students in Ursuline secondary school Waterford and High School Clonmel at the pilot stage. All these stakeholders played a crucial role in ensuring we delivered a roadshow that positively impacted students at each of the twenty schools.”
Chris Doyle, CEO Bauer Media Audio Ireland said; “We could not be more pleased to be recognised on such a scale at this year’s awards – an important showcase for a radio industry that is in rude health”

See more photos here.
Here are the winners in full: […]

PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe, Morning Glory with PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe on Radio Nova winners of Breakfast Programme  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.

The IMRO Radio Awards took place in Kilkenny last night. Here’s a few photos for you!
See all the winners here.
Jon Richards, Bernadette Prendergast, David Nevin & Ollie Turner, FYI Galway – Blockades, Bottles and Birthdays on Galway Bary FM winners of News Programme – Local/Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Niall Delaney & Kevin Blessing, Chuck Berry, in a Field, in Ballisodare on Ocean FM winners of Music Special / Music Event  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Niall Delaney & Kevin Blessing, Chuck Berry, in a Field, in Ballisodare on Ocean FM winners of Music Special / Music Event  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Sean Reidy & Andrea Gilligan, Newstalk’s Dublin Riots Special on Newstalk winners of News Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Sean Reidy & Andrea Gilligan, Newstalk’s Dublin Riots Special on Newstalk winners of News Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Sean Reidy & Andrea Gilligan, Newstalk’s Dublin Riots Special on Newstalk winners of News Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
PJ Gallagher, Clint Drieberg, Jim McCabe, Morning Glory with PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe on Radio Nova winners of Breakfast Programme  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe, Morning Glory with PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe on Radio Nova winners of Breakfast Programme  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Kevin O’Mahony & Luke Delaney, Doubters to Believers – Jurgen, Liverpool and the Irish Reds on Dublin’s Q102 winners of Sports Story at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Kevin O’Mahony & Luke Delaney, Doubters to Believers – Jurgen, Liverpool and the Irish Reds on Dublin’s Q102 winners of Sports Story at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Claire Beck, All Irish with Claire Beck on Today FM winners of IMRO Irish Music Programme or Initiative at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Claire Beck, All Irish with Claire Beck on Today FM winners of IMRO Irish Music Programme or Initiative at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Taragh Loughrey-Grant Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 winners of Interactive Speech Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Taragh Loughrey-Grant Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 winners of Interactive Speech Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
AnneMarie Kelly, Are You Blind or What? on Midlands 103 winners of Music, Arts & Culture Documentary at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk winners of Current Affairs Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk winners of Current Affairs Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Grania McFadden producer of William Crawley on BBC Radio Ulster winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Barry Lenihan on RTÉ Radio 1 winners of News Reporter of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Barry Lenihan on RTÉ Radio 1 winners of News Reporter of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Vivienne McCarthy, Seamus Whelehan, Neil Prendeville & Eimear O’Hea Martín, Neil Prendeville on Cork’s RedFM winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Vivienne McCarthy, Seamus Whelehan, Neil Prendeville & Eimear O’Hea Martín, Neil Prendeville on Cork’s RedFM winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Zeinab Elguzouli on FM104 winner of The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the Year  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Zeinab Elguzouli on FM104 winner of The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the Year  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Zeinab Elguzouli on FM104 winner of The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the Year  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Zeinab Elguzouli on FM104 winner of The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the Year  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Zeinab Elguzouli on FM104 winner of The Gay Byrne Award – Newcomer of the Year  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Nathan Murphy on Newstalk winners of Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Nathan Murphy on Newstalk winners of Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Granian McFadden on behalf of Chris Buckler on BBC Radio Ulster winners of News Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Dave Duke & Fionnuala Corbett, Dave & Fionnuala’s Grand Tour on iRadio winners of On-Air Competition / Promotion  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Dave Duke & Fionnuala Corbett, Dave & Fionnuala’s Grand Tour on iRadio winners of On-Air Competition / Promotion  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Paul Duffy, Today FM winners of Station Imaging at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Paul Duffy, Today FM winners of Station Imaging at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
The IMRO Radio Awards Radio Moment of the Year was The Who Cares for the Carers? Newstalk. Picture Andres Poveda
The Sound of Waterford – WLR FM was named the IMRO Radio Awards Local Station of the Year. Picture Andres Poveda
The Sound of Waterford – WLR FM was named the IMRO Radio Awards Local Station of the Year. Picture Andres Poveda
Cork’s Good Times – Red FM was named the IMRO Radio Awards Music Station of the Year. Picture Andres Poveda
Cork’s Good Times – Red FM was named the IMRO Radio Awards Music Station of the Year. Picture Andres Poveda
Newstalk was named the IMRO Radio Awards National Station of the Year. Picture Andres Poveda
Newstalk was named the IMRO Radio Awards National Station of the Year. Picture Andres Poveda
Off The Ball on Newstalk winners of Sports Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Nicoline Greer & Pavel Barter, Runaway Joe on RTÉ Radio 1 winners of Radio Station Podcast of the Year   at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Charlie Halligan, Ian Dempsey & Shauna O’Reilly, Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM winners of Entertainment Inserts at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Off The Ball on Newstalk winners of Sports Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Charlie Halligan, Ian Dempsey & Shauna O’Reilly, Gift Grub on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM winners of Entertainment Inserts at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Simon Murdoch on Cork’s RedFM winners of Radio DJ of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Aoibhin Fallon, Waterford in Action – A Climate Discussion on WLR FM winners of Sustainability at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Graham O’Toole, Kinga Piortoska, Chloe Finlay & Nathan O’Reilly, FM104’s Quid Games with Graham and Nathan on FM104 winners of Digital & Social Innovation  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Simon Murdoch on Cork’s RedFM winners of Radio DJ of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Michael Carolan, Maggie Maguire on behalf of The Michael Reade Show on LMFM winners of Current Affairs Programme – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Tim Moynihan & Ivan Hurley, Radio Kerry Weekend Sport on Radio Kerry winners of Sports Programme – Local / Regional  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Simon Murdoch on Cork’s RedFM winners of Radio DJ of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Aoibhin Fallon, Waterford in Action – A Climate Discussion on WLR FM winners of Sustainability at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Henry McKean Reports on Newstalk winners of Short Feature at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Henry McKean Reports on Newstalk winners of Short Feature at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Aoibhin Fallon, Waterford in Action – A Climate Discussion on WLR FM winners of Sustainability at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Treasa Bhreathnach, Cosán na mBan on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta winners of Craoltóireacht le Gaeilge at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Treasa Bhreathnach, Cosán na mBan on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta winners of Craoltóireacht le Gaeilge at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Pavel Barter, Runaway Joe on RTÉ Radio 1 winners of Radio Station Podcast of the Year   at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Graham O’Toole, Kinga Piortoska, Chloe Finlay & Nathan O’Reilly, FM104’s Quid Games with Graham and Nathan on FM104 winners of Digital & Social Innovation  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Austin O’Callaghan on Ocean FM winners of Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Austin O’Callaghan on Ocean FM winners of Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Austin O’Callaghan on Ocean FM winners of Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Daniela Cavaliere, John Toal, Daniel Lynch, Saturday with John Toal – Christmas at John’s on BBC Radio Ulster winners of Magazine Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Daniela Cavaliere, John Toal, Daniel Lynch, Saturday with John Toal – Christmas at John’s on BBC Radio Ulster winners of Magazine Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Kieran McGuinness on Radio Nova winner of Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Kieran McGuinness on Radio Nova winner of Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Sean Reidy, Jess Kelly, Barry White, Andrea GilliganJohn Keogh, Dublin Riots on Newstalk winners of News Story / News Event  or Initiative at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Sean Reidy, Jess Kelly, Barry White, Andrea GilliganJohn Keogh, Dublin Riots on Newstalk winners of News Story / News Event  or Initiative at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Brendan O’Driscoll, Lorraine Murphy, Isabel Keane, Mairead Twohig & Keith Murphy, Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon on Cork’s 96FM winners of Community / Social Action at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Brendan O’Driscoll, Lorraine Murphy, Isabel Keane, Mairead Twohig & Keith Murphy, Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon on Cork’s 96FM winners of Community / Social Action at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Ray Foley from Today FM winner of General Music Programme  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Ray Foley from Today FM winner of General Music Programme  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Victoria Nichols, Ruairi O’Hagan & Kellie Murphy on behalf of KC on Cork’s RedFM winners of Music & Entertainment Presenter of the Year  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Jack Murphy on behalf of Susan Dennehy, Leesa: Last One on the Train on RTÉ Radio 1 winners of Documentary at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Tom Dunne from The Tom Dunne Show on Newstalk winner of Specialist Music Programme  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Tom Dunne from The Tom Dunne Show on Newstalk winner of Specialist Music Programme  at the IMRO Radio Awards 2024 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 4th October 2024. Photo by Andres Poveda.
Beat 102-103 Outstanding Aceivement Award at the Imro Radio Awards. Picture Andres Poveda
Beat 102-103 Outstanding Aceivement Award at the Imro Radio Awards. Picture Andres Poveda
Hugo Duncan of BBC Northern Ireland, Cartol Dooley, Sunshine 106.8 and Eddie Caffrey of LM FM who where all incucted in to the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame. Pic Andres Poveda
Hugo Duncan of BBC Northern Ireland, Cartol Dooley, Sunshine 106.8 and Eddie Caffrey of LM FM who where all incucted in to the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame. Pic Andres Poveda […]

Opera singer Claudia Boyle is the new host of Weekend Classics on RTÉ lyric fm.
The permanent move comes following recent cover work on the station by Claudia.
Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle will air on Saturdays from 4-6.30pm and on Sundays 4-6pm starting this weekend.
Ahead of taking over as host of the new show, Claudia Boyle said: “I’m delighted to be taking over the reins on the weekend afternoons for lyric fm.
“Connecting and communicating through music is already a huge part of what I do and love, so this is a welcome, natural and exciting new venture and I can’t wait. Sharing and discovering music with the loyal lyric fm listeners is what I’m looking forward to most.
“There’ll definitely be divas (excluding myself!), lots of classical favourites and much-loved melodies. Sharing stories with plenty of laughter along the way will help set you up for the perfect weekend.”
Head of RTÉ lyric fm, Sinéad Wylde added: “It’s a real delight to have internationally famous Claudia Boyle join us at weekends on RTÉ lyric fm with this new afternoon show Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle.
“During the summer, Claudia stepped in as a presenter with us and listeners loved her. On stage she has a great ability to deeply connect with and move her audiences, she will no doubt bring this wonderful gift to presenting her new show on RTÉ lyric fm.” […]

Fair City’s Sorcha Furlong is to host a new early evening show on Freedom FM as the station returns to FM.
The actress, writer, and producer will host AfterDrive, an early evening music programme each Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm.
She is set to join a presenter roster which includes TV personality Glenda Gilson, and TV and radio host, and podcast producer Aidan Power.

Freedom FM is a digital radio station playing music from the 90s and noughties. However, each year the station is licensed by Coimisiún na Méan to broadcast across Ireland on eight FM frequencies.
Targeting Generation Y, people born between 1981, and 1997, the station plays music from 1990 straight through to 2009, along with the Nighties and Noughties News Now, hourly news headlines from the day you are listening but from a random year in the 1990s or 2000s.

Sean Power, station manager at Freedom FM said “We are delighted to welcome Sorcha on to Freedom FM for our FM broadcasts across Ireland this October.
“Sorcha is a star in front of and behind the screen, but with Freedom FM, she’ll be entertaining our listeners from behind the microphone for the first time.
“She’s the newest recruit to a family of extremely talented and passionate radio presenters who together create a fantastic mix of humour, nostalgia for two wonderful decades, and a passion for the songs our listeners love.”
Sorcha said: “I can’t wait to get started with Freedom FM. The music from the 90s and noughties is the music from my youth, and I’m looking forward to sharing that passion with those who also grew up during those two decades.
“So join me every Wednesday evening between 6pm and 9pm for AfterDrive, where, as the station slogan says, I’ll be reliving the 90s and noughties.”
The station will also boast a new 24-hour schedule, with Enda W. Caldwell being the first voice on Freedom FM starting each weekday at 5am with The Red Eye.
Glenda Gilson returns to presenting Weekday Brunch each Wednesday between 10am to 12 midday, and national radio and TV presenter Stephen Daly joins Freedom FM to present Drive Time every Monday and Tuesday from 3pm, whilst Northern Ireland radio host Neal McClelland kicks off the wee hours of Friday night with Dance Anthems.
Freedom FM switches on its eight transmitters on Monday 30th September and will broadcast until 29th October to listeners in Dublin City and County, Galway, Limerick and Cork cities, as well as to counties Wexford, Wicklow, Kildare and north County Cork.
Cork City 106.7 FMLimerick City 105.5 FMDublin City 105.2 FMGalway City 87.9FMKildare County 88.1 FMWicklow County 99.5 FMNorth Cork County 87.7 FMWexford/South East 103.8 FM […]

The IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame is set to honour four more broadcasters.
Eddie Caffrey (LMFM), Ray D’Arcy (RTÉ Radio 1), Carol Dooley (Sunshine 106.8), and Hugo Duncan (BBC Northern Ireland) will be inducted at a ceremony at the IMRO offices today, celebrating their careers and their enduring impact on Irish radio.
The overall IMRO Radio Awards event will be at the annual gala on October 4 th at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny.
Victor Finn, IMRO Chief Executive, headline sponsors of the Awards said: “It is a tremendous honour for IMRO to sponsor the prestigious Radio Awards Hall of Fame once again.
“We are delighted to recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions of Hugo Duncan, Carol Dooley, Ray D’Arcy and Eddie Caffrey. Their legacy within the industry is undeniable, and they now take their well-deserved place among Ireland’s most esteemed broadcasters.”
Speaking on behalf of Coimisiún Na Meán, Broadcasting and VOD Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly said: “Coimisiún na Meán is delighted to congratulate this year’s inductees to the Hall of Fame and celebrate the significant contribution each has made to the radio sector.
“Radio continues to play a hugely valuable role in Irish life, not only entertaining listeners but acting as a trustworthy source of news and information for us all. Hall of Fame recipients are reflective of the talent at work across the industry and it’s wonderful to see today’s inductees recognised.”
Eddie Caffrey’s radio career began with the emergence of Pirate Radio in the late seventies where not only was he was a polished presenter but also a self-taught radio engineer.
Over the next ten years, Eddie built studios and transmission systems for over 15 fledgling radio stations. He was the first voice heard on Radio Dundalk before he moved to Boyneside Radio in Drogheda from where he commenced presentation of the phenomenally successful Greenscene Show.
Unsurprisingly, in 1989 he was recruited by the newly licenced local service, LMFM, in a role combining both presenter and station engineer and since then has been an ever present on the LMFM weekday schedule as well as ensuring that the station is heard throughout every corner of the northeast.
Eddie recently turned 70 and can look back with pride on a twin-faceted radio career stretching over 46 years. Eddie’s contribution to radio in the Louth Meath area will never be surpassed or seen again – and as for retirement, he says he will review the situation in five years’ time!
Ray did his first radio broadcast in 1979. He hit the national airwaves at the turn of the century and grew his midmorning show to become the biggest independent radio show in the country.
Ray has always used his platform to highlight social issues and fundraise for charities, becoming a mental health advocate and helping to raise millions for worthy causes.
Ray continues to be a significant presence on Irish radio.
Carol began her radio career at twelve years old on a Kilkenny pirate station in 1978. Her unwavering dedication and boundless passion for radio have captivated Irish audiences as well as those in the UK, Europe, and the United States. Over her illustrious career, her passion for radio has engaged audiences in Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the US.
She returned to Ireland from the US in 2010 and launched Radio Nova as PD. In 2013, she moved to East Coast FM in the same role. The following year, she was recruited to join Sunshine 106.8 as part of the on-air team, a role she has held now for over a decade and consistently achieves high ratings. Her intrinsic understanding of how radio works and what audiences respond and react to is second to none.
Over the past four decades, Carol has made a lasting impact in Irish broadcasting .
In 2024, Hugo Duncan celebrates his 26 th year of broadcasting his hugely popular daytime show on BBC Northern Ireland.
He plays the best music from old favourites to fresh new country stars, still making room for the odd classic from the 60’s or 70’s pop world. In 2024, he was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the Northern Ireland Country Music Awards. “Uncle Hugo’s” iconic phases – Uncle Hugo Loves You and Have Your Tea with Hugo D – ring out around homes all over Ulster.
Hugo’s talents are not limited to radio. He is an Irish showband legend who still gigs all over the island of Ireland. He knows his listeners extraordinarily well! This is constantly reflected in his impressive audience figures and daily programme interactions with thousands of people through calls, texts and social media engagement.
Hugo volunteers his time every year for the BBC Children In Need charity campaign. His legendary annual ‘Hugo-thons’, the ‘Wee man from Strabane’, has raised tens of thousands for the charity. Each year, Hugo welcomes listeners and service users from adult care homes to the BBC to see the studio and how shows are made, even sending them home with their own mini-show recordings, helping to share his passion and joy of radio. […]

The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland organisation has branded the proposed Journalism Schemes unfit-for-purpose and are calling for an even playing field for the sector.
The IBI, representing all 34 independent stations in Ireland, wants to discuss proactive ways to support the commercial sustainability of the sector for the long-term, with proposed measures including reforming the Broadcast Levy paid to Coimisiún na Meán and modernising the Codes and Rules that regulate output.
Both of these issues Coimisiún na Meán is currently running public consultations on.
IBI Chief Executive, Michael Kelly says the broadcasting policy in Ireland is totally letting down the nation’s independent radio stations and their millions of listeners, and is failing utterly to produce measures to support the real needs of radio stations in the sector.
In a statement, the body says:
“Broadcasting policy has clearly focussed its attention on providing hundreds of millions of euro of funding to RTE. Zero public funding is being provided to independent radio to support the provision of its core news and current affairs public service broadcasting. This is while RTE is being guaranteed in excess of €720 million in funding over three years (a figure which excludes RTE’s commercially generated revenue). The funding decisions for RTE appear to have been taken without any consideration being given to the effects on the independent sector. Independent stations believe that this situation will lead to serious market distortion.
Meanwhile a number of Schemes are being implemented, which quite simply will not work – they are mis-directed and impractical, and do not address the issues facing the sector in any meaningful way. The schemes are so unfit-for-purpose that despite intensive work by individual radio stations, they have been unable to find any way in which the schemes can be made work in helping stations meet their existing public service broadcasting obligations. This is because the schemes specifically rule out support for core news and current affairs and only fund “additional” content, they adopt a one-size fits all approach to different media sectors, and they promote precarious employment with no assurance that they will continue.
The schemes in their current form are described by the independent sector as “an ill thought-out gig economy solution” which is totally unsuitable for radio.
After more than 18 months of seeking changes to make the schemes work for the independent radio sector it was with great disappointment and reluctance that each of the independent individual stations, separately and after intensive efforts, concluded that the design and operation of the Schemes meant it was not possible to make them work. These were decisions by each of the stations which starkly shows how unfit-for-purpose the schemes are.
There is deep frustration and disappointment across the independent radio sector at the way it has been treated. The playing field has never been more uneven and despite everything broadcasting policy is favouring RTE over everyone else.
Now this has to change.
Independent stations stress that they are willing and eager to work with the Minister, the Department and the Regulator to make the necessary changes to schemes in order for them to meet the needs of the independent radio sector. However, they say that based on recent experience, this is a process which will likely take at least 18 months. They say it is imperative that interim solutions are found.
In the context of unsuitable schemes that have been years in the making and which are proving not fit for purpose, legislators and public representatives of all parties must now ensure that the upcoming Budget provides fair and proportionate funding for the independent radio sector.
Blindly following limited and unworkable recommendations from the Future of Media Commission, which were not based on a deep understanding of our sector, is resulting in a serious threat to media plurality and a competitive and independent sector.
Now is the time for TD’s and Senators to act.”
RadioToday has contacted Coimisiún na Meán and RTE for additional comment but no replies were received at the time of publication. […]