Ireland

Learning Waves is relaunching its Radio Presenter Course this autumn, offering aspiring broadcasters in Ireland a direct route into the industry.

The course starts on 10th September and is open to 12 participants, with applications closing on 26th July.
It’s designed for anyone looking to develop a career behind the mic, from students and content creators to career changers with no previous radio experience.
The three-month programme is run in a hybrid format and includes voice training, scripting, show planning, digital content creation and live studio time.
Participants will receive mentorship from established on-air presenters, producers, and programme directors from Irish radio stations.
Graduates will leave with a professional demo and the skills to pitch themselves to broadcasters, as well as tailored interview coaching and CV support.
Learning Waves describes the course as “results-driven” and aimed at helping new voices find their place in FM, digital radio, podcasting and voice platforms.
Applications and further details are available via learningwaves.ie/radio-presenter-course.

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Brian Dowling and Jennifer Zamparelli are stepping in to present Dave Moore’s Today FM mid-morning show while he takes a two-week break.

Dave told listeners this morning that he’s heading to New York with his family to celebrate his birthday and will return to the station on Wednesday 16 July.
Brian Dowling will cover the 9am to 12pm slot from Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July. Jennifer Zamparelli takes over from Monday 7 July until Tuesday 15 July.
Both presenters are returning to Irish radio after previously hosting on other stations. It will be Brian’s first time solo on national radio, while Jennifer is set for her first stint back behind the mic since finishing on 2FM last year.
Dave said he’s confident they’ll be a hit with his audience: “I could not have left my listeners in more capable hands. It’s going to be so much craic, tune in, show Brian and Jennifer all the love they deserve and I’ll see you all in a couple of weeks.”
Brian said: “Let’s remember, I’ve been in radio for two years. But not by myself, so for me next week I’m going to feel all alone. So we’ll need the listeners!”
Jennifer added: “I’m so glad I’m not going first! It’s great because I think I’ve only got one week of radio in me, that’s all that’s left!”
Dave Moore has hosted the Today FM mid-morning show solo since 2023 after the long-running Dermot & Dave partnership came to an end.
Listeners can tune in to Today FM nationwide on FM, via app or todayfm.com.
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**Excerpt version**Dave Moore heads to NYC, Brian Dowling and Jennifer Zamparelli to cover Today FM mid-mornings

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Football legend John Giles is stepping down from punditry after more than two decades with Off The Ball and almost 30 years in Irish broadcast media.

His final appearance marks the end of an era for Irish radio and football coverage.

John’s analysis has been a fixture on Thursday nights since Off The Ball launched in 2002. Now aged 84, he has decided to retire, drawing to a close one of the most respected voices in Irish sport.

Off The Ball will mark the occasion with a live tribute night at The Sugar Club in Dublin on Thursday 14 August. Friends, colleagues, and figures from across football will gather to celebrate his remarkable career.

Ger, Managing Director at Off The Ball, said: “His weekly explanation of football truth helped deepen what the country knows about football. His ability to see through nonsense and his love of the game shone through every week.”

John began his footballing career at Manchester United in 1956. He went on to become a central figure at Leeds United, winning two league titles and earning 59 international caps for Ireland — serving six years as player-manager.

After his playing days, John became a household name in broadcasting, most notably as part of RTÉ’s TV panel alongside Eamon Dunphy and Liam Brady, before joining Bauer Media Audio Ireland and then Off The Ball.

He now retires as the longest-serving current pundit in Irish media.

More details about the August tribute night will be shared by Off The Ball soon. Follow offtheball.com or their social media for updates.

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Fully Charged has a new co-host as Dublin-based comedian and writer Fiona Frawley joins SPIN1038.
The all new Fully Charged with Emma, Dave & Fiona will start on April 28th.
It was announced at Dave’s 30th birthday celebration last night, where Emma surprised everyone by officially welcoming Fiona to the team.
Dave Hammond exclaiming “Wait what? Who? I didn’t know about this!”
Speaking on her new role, Fiona said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the SPIN team. It’s clear how passionate the guys [Emma & Dave] are about making the show the best it can be. Getting to be a part of that already feels so special and I can’t wait to help wake up Dublin every morning!”

Emma Nolan commenting on welcoming Fiona to the team “Fiona’s charisma, warmth and comedy is infectious. We knew upon meeting her that listeners across Dublin would love having her as another friend to laugh along with each morning on SPIN’s Fully Charged. I can’t wait for you to get to know her!”.
Nick Karkazis, Managing Editor of the SPIN Network, added: “Fiona is such a talent and she’s absolutely hilarious. When I heard the chemistry she brought into the SPIN studio with Emma & Dave, there was no question that she should be on the team. Really excited for everyone to hear how great this show will be!”

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Ireland’s Communications Minister Patrick O’Donovan alternated between humour and serious commentary in his opening speech at RadioDays Ireland.
“We have a hunger for news in Ireland, perhaps because we are very nosey people and we love a chat,” he joked. “Sure, radio is a ‘fun medium,’ except for people like me who sometimes get a grilling. But grilling politicians is important…
“So called citizen journalists who stick a phone in your face are an afront to everything that proper media stands for. Media should hold government to account but should also stand by proper standards,” he said.
The minister told delegates that the Communications portfolio is considered a huge ministerial responsibility in government. “Media is important to our democracy here in Ireland and globally… We take democratic principles seriously,” he said, referring to the recent election in Ireland and to world events after the inauguration of a new US President.
“It is important for people to have a regular place to go to so they can understand what is happening in the world. We have an attachment to local news and people still want to hear their local accents, so local stations are so important in Ireland.
“Local radio has preserved a path of our culture, our language, our discourse and our local connections. Irish people love to talk, we want to have conversations, so radio is important for that.
“In an era where disinformation is so prevalent, where people create fairytales, some people begin to believe the misinformation.. You can’t publicise wanton lies, that is a worrying trend.”
Minister O’Donovan believes it is up to the whole society to combat misinformation. “We are all going to have to take responsibility for real news and current affairs in our society … and educating audiences about what is real and what is not.” He said responsible radio stations will play an important part in achieving that goal.
“Democracy shouldn’t be taken for granted. We are going along a dangerous path. Remember the old saying, ‘bad things happen if good people say nothing,’” he said.
Fionnuala Rabbitt, Chairperson of Learning Waves, organiser of the conference and CEO of Highland Radio has worked in independent radio since its inception. Her father was at Galway FM and as kids they were unpaid labour for minor roles at the station.
What gets Fionnuala riled up is when people say that radio is stale and unsexy. “Radio is not stale and unsexy! Just look at the people in this room, it proves that this industry is full of talented people… and we’re are sexy!” she joked.
Over 80% of Ireland’s population tune in daily to radio and stations are “an integral part of our communities,” she said welcoming the hundreds of conference delegates from all over Ireland.
She spoke about the importance of training in the radio industry, which is partly funded by an Irish skills program called Skillnet. “Good training is an important way of recruiting and retaining good staff, especially journalists,” she said.
Echoeing the sentiments of the Communications Minister, she said “it has never been more important to retain a trusted news service. Radio bring human connection that can help do that.”

John Purcell, Chairperson of Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) said “we are in show business, we cheer people up, we make them laugh and keep them company. We mean a lot to people and they trust us. We also have a serious role to play in Irish society, we are a trusted source of news.
“In places where there is no trusted media there is polarisation and radicalisation.”
European research shows that over 70% of people in Europe trust what they hear on radio. “The stakes are high for us and for our society” if trust in media is destroyed he said. Purcell acknowledged that there challenges are challenges to radio’s business model in Ireland, “there are threats but also opportunities.” He urged politicians and government to support the industry on the two most important current issues, funding and prominence.
“In an environment where social media seems to be thumbing their noses at any standards that we work by, we will need as much help as we can get,” he said.
This article was written by our colleagues at RadioInfo. […]

Photo: Kieran McGeary

Coimisiún na Meán has announced its support for a new DAB trial set to begin in April of this year.
The one-year-trial will expand the diversity of services available for Irish audiences and test DAB+ technology in the Republic.
Speaking at the Radio Days Conference in Dublin today, Coimisiún na Meán’s Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner, Aoife MacEvilly said: “By supporting this innovative new DAB+ trial and facilitating the broadcast of new digital services for Irish audiences, Coimisiún na Meán continues to demonstrate our strong commitment to pluralism and diversity on Irish radio.”
An Coimisiún says it has approved content provision contracts for this trial, ensuring the availability of a diverse and varied mix of voices, opinions, and sources of news and current affairs, as well as music programming.
The DAB trial will facilitate a simulcast of existing radio services while also allowing a variety of new services such as niche and era-specific music services and new speech programming covering various genres such as social affairs, sports, youth-targeted topics and children’s entertainment.
Just yesterday, Onic (the new name for Wireless), announced 10 services will be part of the multiplex.
The new trial will be operated by FáilteDAB who were issued a trial licence by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

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