Ireland

Pat Kenny is set to move his Newstalk programme to weekends from next spring, while also taking up a seat on the board of Bauer Media Audio Ireland.
The broadcaster confirmed today that he has extended his contract with Newstalk into 2026 and will continue presenting his weekday programme until the switch to Saturday and Sunday next year.
Pat will also present additional live weekend programming and has hinted at other ventures with both the station and Bauer which will be revealed later. […]

Electric Picnic 2025 will feature live coverage from a number of Irish radio stations throughout the weekend.

Raidió na Life returns to Stradbally with An Puball Gaeilge, the festival’s hub for the Irish language. The station will broadcast live programmes on Saturday and Sunday evening and run a full weekend of debates, music and discussions in partnership with Foras na Gaeilge and other cultural organisations.
Today FM will once again be the official radio partner of the festival, hosting its Sound Garden and broadcasting live across the weekend. Presenters including Ian Dempsey, Dave Moore, Louise Cantillon, Ray Foley, Claire Beck and Matt Cooper will be on site. The station has also launched a digital pop-up stream, Electric Picnic Radio, on the GoLoud app, playing tracks from this year’s line-up alongside past festival highlights.
Mainland Radio is confirmed as the outside broadcast partner for Electric Picnic 2025. The station will provide on-site coverage, with presenters Maurice and Ciara broadcasting live from the festival grounds.
TG4 will also be present with its special “BEO ón Electric Picnic”, which will air from the Hazelwood and Puball Gaeilge stages. While TG4 is primarily a television broadcaster, the programme has a strong audio-led format featuring live music, podcasts, céilí, yoga and comedy, hosted by Síomha Ní Ruairc and John Sharpson.
Between national, community and Irish-language stations, festival-goers and audiences at home will be able to tune into a wide range of live radio and broadcast content across the weekend.
Electric Picnic 2025 takes place from 29 to 31 August at Stradbally Hall in County Laois. […]

The shortlist for the IMRO Radio Awards 2025 has been announced, recognising presenters, producers and stations across the Irish radio industry.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Friday 3 October at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny. The awards celebrate the creativity, talent and innovation that continues to drive Irish radio.
Chris Doyle, Chairperson of the IMRO Radio Awards, said the judging process reflected the strength of the sector. “This year saw a record number of entries, a testament to the strength, creativity, and passion within Irish radio. The bar is continually raised in terms of quality, so heartiest congratulations to all those shortlisted.”
Eleanor McEvoy, IMRO Chairperson, highlighted the wider role of the medium. “Radio remains one of the most powerful and influential mediums in our society. The diverse and inspiring work recognised in this year’s IMRO Radio Awards shortlist highlights the strength of Irish broadcasting and its vital role in our national conversation.”
Aoife MacEvilly, Broadcasting and Video-On-Demand Commissioner from Coimisiún na Meán, added: “The Awards celebrate the best of Irish radio, highlighting the talent, creativity and innovation that exists within the sector. We know from the recent Reuters Digital News Report Ireland that Irish audiences continue to have an enduring and longstanding relationship with radio.”
The IMRO Radio Awards continue to highlight the importance of radio in connecting communities, entertaining audiences, and providing trusted information across Ireland.
The event is supported by IMRO, which represents the rights of music creators in Ireland, and Coimisiún na Meán, the independent regulator for broadcasting and on-demand services.
More details are available on the IMRO Radio Awards website. […]

Radiostar, the international radio talent search run by OnAirCoach, has returned for its eighth year.
For 2025, the competition is focused on music radio presentation.
The contest is open to anyone working in or aspiring to join the industry, with feedback provided by experienced professionals from around the world. Entry is free and closes on 1 September.
Last year, Stephen Daly of Dublin’s Q102 finished in third place, continuing a strong record of Irish entrants achieving recognition in the contest.
Nails Mahoney of OnAirCoach said: “This is a chance to be heard by industry experts across the globe and open up new opportunities.”
Radiostar is promoted as the only international radio talent search, highlighting presenters and creators with potential to progress in broadcasting.
More information and entry details are available on the OnAirCoach website.
Radiostar has been running annually since 2017, with past winners and finalists going on to secure roles in commercial and public radio.
The competition has attracted participants from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, making it one of the few radio talent searches with a worldwide reach.

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Today FM presenters will once again take centre stage at Electric Picnic this year.
The station has confirmed a packed Sound Garden schedule featuring its biggest names, alongside headline acts including Le Boom, Bingo Loco, Bryan Kearney, Maria Lawlor and Smash Hits.
Ian Dempsey, Dave Moore, Louise Cantillon, Ray Foley and Matt Cooper will all be part of the action, broadcasting and performing from Stradbally across the weekend.
Alongside the live shows, themed sets will bring back classic dance and pop tracks with Steve K on Today FM 80s, Claire Beck on Today FM 90s and Jamie Maguire on Today FM 00s.
The station has also announced the launch of Electric Picnic Radio, a new digital station streaming via the GoLoud app. The pop-up channel will play songs from this year’s festival lineup as well as highlights from previous headline acts.
Ian Dempsey said: “We’re back and we’re bigger than ever before. Expect to see all your favourite Today FM stars, some rockin’ DJ sets, live bands, floor fillers and so much more. I’ll be bringing back my own ‘Rose of EP’ event, so make sure to pop over for the official crowning ceremony of that.”
The Sound Garden has become a regular feature of Electric Picnic, drawing large crowds to see Today FM presenters mixing live entertainment with music across the weekend.

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John Giles is stepping down from punditry after more than two decades on Off The Ball.
The Republic of Ireland football legend, now 84, has been a fixture on Thursday nights since the programme launched in 2002, making him the longest-serving current pundit in Irish media. His departure also ends almost 30 years with Bauer Media Audio Ireland.
Off The Ball marked the occasion with a special tribute night at Dublin’s Sugar Club, attended by John’s wife Anne, his children Joanna, Catherine, Chris and Paul, as well as Brian Kerr, Eddie Gray and Joe Jordan. The evening featured stories from his playing and broadcasting career.

Ger Gilroy, Managing Director of Off The Ball, said John’s contribution had been “a titan of Irish sport” and that his “weekly explanation of football truth… helped deepen what the country knows about football”.
John’s football career began in 1956 when he joined Manchester United at the age of 15. He went on to win two league titles with Leeds United, earned 59 caps for the Republic of Ireland, and served as player-manager for six years.
After retiring from playing, John became a familiar face as a senior pundit on RTÉ television before joining Off The Ball in 2002. His detailed analysis and forthright opinions have made him one of the most influential voices in Irish football.
John’s career in football and broadcasting spans nearly 70 years, and he leaves the microphone with a reputation for combining deep tactical insight with a clear love for the game. […]