Ireland

The thirteenth annual Cork’s 96FM’s Giving for Living Radiothon has ended with a total of €385,566.
It brings the cumulative total raised so far by Radiothons run by the Wireless Group station to in excess of €5.4 million.
Money raised this year is to support Cancer Services in Cork provided through the five local charity partners, Mercy Hospital Foundation; CUH Charity; Marymount Hospice; ARC Cancer Support House and Breakthrough Cancer Research.
Following the decision to cancel the 2020 event owing to the pandemic, Radiothon went ahead this year in a scaled-back fashion which was in line with the current COVID 19 restrictions.
Outside broadcasts from the Mercy Hospital and CUH were replaced with special programmes presented by 96FM’s on-air team based at Broadcasting House.
Despite restrictions, listeners held fundraising events right across Cork City and County. These included “Virtual Coffee Breaks” and school “No Uniform Days.”
Bus Eireann drivers operated the city’s biggest collection box which this year was an open-top bus at Cork’s Bus Station on Parnell Place. They collected over €11,000.
Speaking to the Opinion Line programme on the first day of Radiothon, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, described it as “one of the great fixtures in Cork’s fundraising calendars.”
“It’s fantastic to see the Giving for Living Radiothon back on Cork’s 96FM this year. It’s great that you have managed to organise and get it back onboard this year” he said.
Group Station Director of Cork’s 96FM & C103 Kieran McGeary told RadioToday: “The Cork’s 96FM Giving for Living Radiothon is all about the people of Cork coming together and generating money to support local cancer services.
“The generosity of the people of Cork never ceases to amaze us. That’s highlighted by the fantastic sum raised in just three days yet again. And we expect that total may increase in the days and weeks ahead.” […]

Donncha O’Callaghan and Carl Mullan are to co-host the 2FM breakfast show as Doireann Garrihy returns from 31st May 2021.
The trio will be on-air 6am till 9am weekdays, replacing the previous show with Eoghan McDermott and Doireann.
Doireann says: “It’s a brand-new show with a brand-new sound and feel. We’ve had endless craic while plotting over the past few weeks and I just know that our listeners will love it.”
Dan Healy, head of 2FM adds: “This is a very exciting new breakfast show for RTÉ 2FM with two new voices for breakfast radio joining Doireann,” says head of RTÉ 2FM.
“From Monday, May 31st, there will be an injection of great fun from Doireann, Donncha and Carl along with great music which will have Ireland in top form every day. A very well done to Tara Stewart and Stephan Byrne who kept us all entertained while Doireann and the team were at the ideas factory!”

📻 The news is out and we are VERY excited 🎉#2FMBreakfast with @DoireannGarrihy, @docallaghan4 and @CarlMullan
The new trio start Monday 31st May, don’t miss any of the fun.
📻 RTÉ 2FM Breakfast | 6am–9am weekdays on @RTE2fm pic.twitter.com/9ls4NovWTF
— RTÉ (@rte) May 24, 2021

More follows. […]

Steven Cooper is returning to iRadio on May 28th to host breakfast with Kayte O’Malley.
Steven was previously at iRadio between 2013 and 2016, and Kayte has been a regular on the weekend line-up on iRadio for the past two years and will be filling in for Oonagh O’Carroll who is off on maternity leave.
iRadio in The Morning with Cooper and Kayte kicks off Friday May 28th from 7 AM – 10 AM.
Steven said: “I’m so buzzed to be back at iRadio! The team here has always been family and the station has been a massive part of my life, so this feels like a real homecoming.”
iRadio’s CEO Mark Cunning added: “It’s been a horrible 14 months. As we look around us, we can see things are getting better. Things are getting better at iRadio too! We’ve made a few tweaks to our schedule across the last couple of months. The final part of the puzzle is launching our brand-new breakfast show.
“We all need more fun, spontaneity and craic and I know that’s exactly what our audience are going to get from iRadio in the Morning with Cooper & Kayte.” […]

98FM’s Brian Maher will take to Dublin’s Phoenix Park today (Thursday) in a bid to complete a 24Hour Runathon which aims to raise €24,000 for Special Olympics Ireland.
Brian – presenter of The Big Ride Home and a big fitness enthusiast is no stranger to undertaking ambitious challenges in aid of Special Olympics Ireland, having run, swam and cycled previously raising over €75,000 for the charity in the process.
This morning at 9am, Brian began his solo runathon, which is approximately 160KM through the Phoenix Park and arrive at the finish line at 9am on Friday morning – continuing his quest throughout the night, whatever the Dublin weather throws at him.
Speaking ahead of his 24Hour Runathon, Brian said: “I’m really excited and also a bit nervous to be undertaking yet another endurance challenge, pushing my body to the limit.
“However, I know I have great support from my family, colleagues and 98FM listeners which will spur me on, but most importantly, it’s a privilege for me to be teaming up once again with Special Olympics to raise as much money as we can.”
Matt English, CEO, Special Olympics Ireland commented: “Brian embodies our Can’t Stop Now ethos and I wish him all the best of luck as he embarks on this challenge today. Brian continues to take positive steps towards supporting our athletes who have had to overcome many challenges in their daily lives, and that was before the pandemic hit.
“I urge everyone to support him by making a donation today, no matter how small. Each donation will go towards supporting Special Olympics athletes across Ireland as we adapt to a post COVID world with a return to sports and other related activities.”
Brian will be cheered on throughout his run by his 98FM colleagues as a number of shows will broadcast from the Phoenix Park from 10am-10pm on Thursday, keeping listeners updated on his progress and encouraging people to donate what they can to Special Olympics Ireland.
Brian’s 24Hour Runathon kicks off Special Olympic Ireland’s annual national fundraising day, which takes place on Friday 28th May. While Covid means the annual fundraising day can’t physically take place, Special Olympics Ireland is asking people to donate online instead.
To donate to Brian’s 24Hour Runathon, go to 98fm.com/donate and listen to 98FM for the latest on Brian’s progress and fundraising updates. […]

Presenter Ed Roache has created a radio documentary series for SPIN 1038 and SPIN South West to mark the month of PRIDE.
Ed ‘came out’ two years ago and now he’s talking out his experience in ‘Ed Roche – Our Unique Tales’ – coming out once again to a whole new audience.
Speaking on the title of the series Ed Roche said “the reason I chose the name ‘Our Unique Tales’ is because everyone’s story is so unique.
“There is no one way of coming out.
“I also like the word ‘our’ – it’s very inclusive – just like this series. Also, the first letter of every word spells the words OUT. I thought it was a subtle way of including a word that means so much to me and many other LGBTQIA+ people.”
Ed also gives us a little glimpse of what people can expect about the series: ‘Our Unique Tales’ is a series about LGBTQIA+ people in this country, it’s a story on their lives, from the difficulties they faced growing up in this country, to where they are today. A lot of tears were shed when making this series, I just really hope it connects with people no matter what your sexuality is. People shouldn’t assume this is just for the gay community, it’s probably the opposite honestly”.
The series will feature some incredible LGBTQIA+ figures, they are; Strongman Chris McNaghten who was Irelands first openly gay strongman. Rebecca Tallon De Havilland – she was the first person in Ireland to undergo gender reassignment surgery. Nikki Symmons – a former Irish international hockey player. And Philp Keogh who many people will know by his stage name Victoria Secret.
There is a special episode which will broadcast on Saturday May 22nd to celebrate six years since Ireland voted Yes in the Same-sex marriage referendum. The episode features Rory O’Neill aka. Queen of Ireland Panti Bliss. Rory was a massive campaigner in securing a yes vote for Ireland back in 2015. Has much changed since then? This series investigates.
The series is not necessarily about Eds own coming out experience, “I’ve never actually said I’m gay on the radio, I guess this series is a whole new coming out story for me. I’ve no doubt that some of my family, friends and listeners will only figure this out about me for the first time when they tune in! I am nervous about the reaction it will get! I just hope people are accepting to it, to me and to the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Ed Roche – Our Unique Tales first airs at 9am on Saturday morning – May 22nd on SPIN 1038 and SPIN South West.
There will then be a further 4 episode for PRIDE Month in June, every Saturday morning at 9am. […]

GoLoud has announced the release of its new and original podcast series, Invisible Threads.
The eight-part series was the winner of the inaugural GoLoud Podship, a bursary worth €20,000 which invited submissions for an original podcast series.
The successful GoLoud Podship recipient received a €5,000 cash prize, as well as access to in-house studio facilities, production support and a heavyweight launch marketing campaign.
James O’Hagan from LGBT Ireland was awarded the GoLoud Podship after his podcast pitch for ‘Invisible Threads’ was selected by an expert judging panel. The GoLoud Podship attracted hundreds of applicants.
Of the winning series, the GoLoud judging panel said: “We knew from the outset that this had the potential to be a great podcast. James’ passion and determination to give a generation of people a voice was evident and what he has delivered is audio storytelling at its very best – raw, honest, heartfelt personal accounts that give us all cause for reflection on a very important part of our history”.
Invisible Threads, hosted by James O’Hagan tells the powerful stories of eight older members of the LGBTQ+ community as they open up about their experience living as a queer person in Ireland, with contributions from psychologist Dr Paul D’Alton.
From coming out prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality, gender dysphoria and conversion therapy, Invisible Threads features raw, honest conversations with members of the community, including Mrs. Brown’s Boys star Eilish O’Carroll.
James O’Hagan donated the €5,000 prize money to LGBT Ireland to help further the charity’s work in support of older members of the community. The launch of ‘Invisible Threads’ coincides with International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This month also marks the 6th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Referendum.
Kiela Brodigan, GoLoud Director said: “The annual GoLoud Podship was developed to identify and provide a platform for original podcast content – stories and conversations that may not otherwise be heard. We’ve been blown away by the response, the talent and creativity that’s out there is something to behold.
“Our GoLoud Podship winner ‘Invisible Threads’ is a story that needs to be told and listeners to the GoLoud app will connect immediately with the empathy and passion that James has woven through this series. This is just the beginning of GoLoud’s ambition when it comes to creating and supporting original podcast content for the GoLoud app”.
Commenting on the series, Darren Cleary, GoLoud Managing Editor said: “The launch of ‘Invisible Threads’ marks the beginning of an exciting new journey for us. Over the coming months we’ll be developing a suite of new digital programmes and podcasts across a number of genres under the GoLoud Originals banner. These series’ will underpin our clear commitment to producing genre defining, habit forming, innovative digital properties and podcasts.”
GoLoud Podship recipient and host of ‘Invisible Threads’, James O’Hagan said: “GoLoud’s enthusiasm for the concept and commitment to both me and the series was clear from the very beginning. The support and guidance I received throughout the process has helped me produce something truly remarkable. I can’t begin to express how proud I am of Invisible Thread and of the 8 amazing people who were brave enough to share their stories with me.”
Applications for the GoLoud Podship 2021 will open on 31st May.
Invisible Threads, a GoLoud Original Podcast launches today, May 17th and is available now on the GoLoud app and on goloudnow.com. […]