Ireland

Richard Shotton, Dr Lollie Mancey and Mike Follett will join this year’s Sounding Out conference in Dublin on Thursday, 16th October.

Hosted by broadcaster Sarah McInerney, the half-day event will take place at The Round Room at the Mansion House, running from 8:30am until 1pm.
Richard Shotton, author and behavioural scientist, will share his insights on decision-making and consumer behaviour, while anthropologist and innovation futurist Dr Lollie Mancey will focus on future trends shaping society and business. Mike Follett, CEO of Lumen Research, will reveal new Irish research examining how advertising captures attention.
Delegates will also hear exclusive findings from Radiocentre UK, with fresh analysis into the return on investment potential of digital audio. Sessions across the morning will explore the future of audio, new technologies, and how advertisers and agencies can make the most of emerging opportunities.

Radiocentre Ireland says the annual event continues to grow as a platform for debate and knowledge-sharing across the audio sector. Previous editions have attracted strong attendance, with this year’s line-up promising further insights from leading thinkers in media, marketing and research.
The conference is designed for brands, agencies and broadcasters interested in the business and creative potential of audio.
More information about Radiocentre Ireland and its activities can be found at radiocentreireland.ie. […]

Bay Broadcasting is preparing to launch Energy Dance on DAB across Dublin.
The new 24-hour station will broadcast from Bay’s headquarters at Castleforbes House in Dublin and deliver back-to-back club classics spanning from the early 1990s to today’s biggest anthems.
It is aimed at listeners aged between 25 and 60, with an initial focus on the Greater Dublin area before expanding nationwide in line with the rollout of DAB across Ireland.
Bay Broadcasting’s founders were part of the original pirate dance stations of the 1990s, including NSR Radio and KISS 103. That background is now being carried forward into the licensed digital era with the launch of Energy Dance.
Kevin Branigan, CEO of Bay Broadcasting, said: “We’re excited to be making broadcasting history with Energy Dance. We were there at the very beginning of dance radio in Ireland and it’s exciting to now return with a fully-licensed dance station on DAB.
“Our mission is simple: to celebrate the music that shaped generations and to bring a high-energy, non-stop soundtrack of club classics to Irish audiences nationwide.”
At launch, the service will be non-stop music, but live programmes are planned in the coming months. Energy Dance will be available on DAB, smart speaker, and online at EnergyDance.ie. The station will also be accessible via radio aggregator sites.
Bay Broadcasting already operates Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio, Sunshine 106.8, and recently acquired Galway Bay FM. On digital, its portfolio includes Nova Classic Rock, Classic Hits 80s, Sunshine Soul, Nova 80s, and Nova Chill.
The arrival of Energy Dance strengthens this line-up and adds to Bay’s experimental work on the Failte DAB trial platform. […]

Radio broadcasters John Bowman, Fr. Brian D’Arcy and Scott Williams are to be inducted into the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame this year.
Their achievements will be marked at a ceremony on Tuesday 30 September at the IMRO offices, ahead of the annual IMRO Radio Awards gala at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on Friday 3 October.
The Hall of Fame celebrates broadcasters who have left a lasting legacy on Irish radio. Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards, Chris Doyle, said the honour reflects “enduring excellence, passion, and dedication to the craft of broadcasting.”
John Bowman is a historian, journalist and long-time RTÉ broadcaster. He has covered politics and current affairs for over six decades, hosting programmes such as Day by Day, Today Tonight and Questions and Answers, while also presenting television documentaries and authoring books on Irish history and broadcasting. Since 1988 he has presented Bowman: Sunday 8.30 on RTÉ Radio 1, a reflective journey through the radio archives.
Fr. Brian D’Arcy is a familiar voice to audiences in Ireland and beyond, best known for his reflective music and conversation shows on BBC Radio Ulster, including Sunday with Brian D’Arcy. He has also presented on RTÉ and BBC Radio 2, combining his broadcasting work with over 50 years of writing, including a long-standing Sunday World column and several published books.
Scott Williams was the first voice heard on independent radio in Dublin when Capital Radio, later FM104, launched in 1989. Over his career he has been a presenter, Programme Director, Chief Executive and Group Content Director for Wireless Ireland, leading stations including FM104, Q102, U105 and Cork’s 96FM. His leadership roles included chairing both IBI and JNLR, helping to deliver initiatives such as the Irish Radioplayer app and the Choose Radio campaign.
Together, the three inductees represent a blend of public service journalism, spiritual and cultural connection, and innovation in independent radio. Their contributions highlight the diversity and strength of Irish broadcasting. […]

Radio Nova presenters PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe are once again leading The Dickie Dip, an annual men’s skinny dip in aid of men’s cancer care at Dublin’s Mater Hospital.
The Morning Glory hosts will join hundreds of men on Skerries beach on Saturday 8th November, calling on others to take part and raise funds. Since the event began in 2019, more than €600,000 has been raised for cancer services.
PJ, who first joined the dip last year, said: “If a few minutes in the Irish Sea can help raise awareness and funds for men’s cancer care, then we’ll happily strip off and dive back in. It’s cold, it’s mad, it’s a laugh – and it could save lives.”
Jim added: “The Dickie Dip is about more than just the craic, it’s about looking out for each other and making sure men get the care they need. We’ll be there, goosebumps and all, and we want as many lads as possible to join us.”
The dip is now in its sixth year and continues to grow. Last year’s event raised €186,000 and attracted over 400 participants. Organisers are aiming to surpass that total in 2025 with the largest gathering yet.
Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive of the Mater Hospital Foundation, said the courage and camaraderie of the participants was inspiring: “Every year, we are inspired by the fearlessness and commitment of our Dickie Dip participants, many of whom have been impacted directly by cancer – either through a diagnosis themselves, or by that of a loved one.”
Men can register for this year’s event at materfoundation.ie/dickiedip, where each participant will receive a free bow tie and a personalised fundraising page. […]

Coimisiún na Meán has opened applications for its latest Sponsorship Scheme, offering around €300,000 to support media-related events and activities across Ireland.
The scheme will provide funding for events that align with the regulator’s Strategy Statement and its wider goal of building a thriving and safe media landscape. Proposals will be assessed on their relevance, value for money, and promotional plans, as well as how they connect with the work of Coimisiún na Meán.
Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said the initiative will highlight “the diversity, creativity and innovation within the Irish media sector” and encouraged organisations to apply. He added that the programme aims to support “a media landscape that is sustainable, pluralistic and participative, and that reflects who we are as a society.”
Previous awardees include Radiodays Ireland, the Choice Music Prize, the Irish Film and Television Awards, GORM Gathering 2025, the Dingle Animation Festival, the GAZE Film Festival and Gradaim Chumarsáide an Oireachtais.
Applications are now open and must be submitted by midday on 21 October this year. A guide for applicants and the application form can be found on the Coimisiún na Meán website.

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Nearly €750,000 has been awarded to independent radio producers across Ireland in the latest round of Sound and Vision funding.
Coimisiún na Meán confirmed almost €6.5 million for radio and television projects nationwide, with radio accounting for 39 of the 57 successful applications.
The scheme supports programmes across national, regional, local and community radio, with formats ranging from music and drama to education and documentaries.
Stations getting programmes as a result are:

RTE Radio 1
RTE 2fm
RTE lyric fm
Clare FM
Newstalk
NEAR 90fm
Ocean FM
KCLR
Raidio na Gaeltachta
Raidio na Life
LMFM
Radio Kerry
Athlone Community Radio
WLR FM
Community Radio Youghal
UCC

Among the radio projects funded are Poetic Keys: An Ode to County Clare, which pairs local poetry with live traditional piano music for broadcast on Clare FM, and Lessons in Awe, a Radio Kerry series exploring family, sport, nature and courage with input from a child and adolescent psychotherapist.
Irish Music Month 2025 also secured support. This initiative, produced by Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, will see commercial stations across the country increase airplay for Irish artists throughout the month.
Irish language broadcasting continues to receive strong backing, with just under half of the overall funding directed towards Irish language or bilingual content. Projects include Cuan an Cheoil 6, a 10-part live music series for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, hosted by Liam Ó Maonlaí and recorded at Stiúideo Cuan.
Independent radio producers will share around €750,000, ensuring new programming reaches audiences of all ages and interests. In total, 97% of this round’s funding will directly support the independent production sector.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán, said the projects will deliver “countless hours of programming, in Irish and English, for audiences of all ages and from all backgrounds.” He added that demand for funding was almost four times greater than the money available, reflecting the scheme’s importance to both creativity and sustainability in broadcasting.
Since January, more than €14 million has been allocated through Sound and Vision. Round 56 funding alone will result in programmes broadcast across RTÉ, Virgin Media, TG4, Clare FM, Radio Kerry, Near FM, and many other independent stations. […]