Ireland

Bay Broadcasting has completed its acquisition of Galway Bay FM, following full approval from the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan.

The move adds the Galway-based station to Bay’s growing portfolio, which already includes Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8, making it the largest Irish-owned radio group in the country.
Bay Broadcasting CEO Kevin Branigan said the group was proud to bring Galway Bay FM into its family of stations. “Galway Bay FM is a terrific station with an outstanding team and a legacy that’s unmatched in Irish local radio. Its heritage as the voice of Galway is something we deeply respect and are proud to help sustain.”
Kevin Branigan
The station, which began in 1989 as Radio West before becoming Galway Bay FM in 1993, has been a fixture of west of Ireland broadcasting for more than three decades. It reaches 132,000 listeners each week and is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s most trusted local stations.
As part of the transition, Bay Broadcasting has confirmed two senior appointments: Fionnuala Rabbitt as Chief Executive Officer and Keith Finnegan as Chairman of the Board.
Fionnuala, who began her career at Galway Bay FM and most recently worked with Highland Radio in Donegal, said returning home was “truly special”. She added: “Galway Bay FM is part of the fabric of this region, and I look forward to working with the team to build on that heritage.”

Outgoing CEO Cormac O’Halloran welcomed the change, describing the takeover as a positive step for the station’s future. He praised Fionnuala’s appointment, saying she brings “a vast amount of experience and knowledge of radio to the role.”
Keith, who worked at the station for over thirty years before stepping down in 2023, said he was “proud to take on the role of Chairman at such an exciting time for the station.”
Departing shareholders, led by Chairman Peter Allen, said they were confident Bay Broadcasting would “continue to nurture and grow the station’s deep connection with Galway and the wider region.”
The acquisition was made possible following a £3.7 million follow-on investment from Duke Capital to Bay’s parent company, Step Investments.
Neil Johnson, CEO of Duke Capital, said the investment supports Bay’s continued growth: “Galway Bay FM is a natural addition to Bay’s existing radio portfolio, and this transaction is another example of how Duke’s flexible capital can help long-standing partners like Step grow through acquisitions.”
Mike Ormonde, CEO of Step Investments, added: “Galway Bay FM has been the voice of Galway for over three decades. With Bay’s experienced management team, we see a clear opportunity to strengthen its commercial performance, broaden its reach and move Bay into the position of being the second largest commercial radio group in Ireland.”
Duke Capital has supported Step for more than seven years, bringing its total credit financing in the company to £15.2 million. Step’s wider media interests include cinema and digital outdoor advertising across the UK and Ireland. […]

Katja Mia will make her radio debut this Saturday 18 October as she takes over 2FM’s weekend morning show, standing in for Bláthnaid Treacy.

The broadcaster, known for her TV presenting work, will host 2FM Weekend Morning with Katja Mia every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 12 noon.
Listeners can expect upbeat music, lively features such as the What’s Wrong With Ye Quiz, and prize giveaways including the Pamper Hamper.
Katja said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be making my radio debut on the RTÉ 2FM airways. It’s always been a dream of mine to work on radio and this opportunity has come at a perfect time in my career where I feel I’ve built up a great amount of presenting experience through TV.”
She added that she’s looking forward to “meeting the team” and hopes to bring “an extra bit of sparkle and fun” to listeners’ weekends.
Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, said Katja will be covering Bláthnaid’s leave for the next six months. “Katja is one of the new seriously talented Irish stars and we’re thrilled to announce that she will be on air on 2FM,” he said.
He added that Saturday and Sunday mornings are “hugely important” to the station and he’s confident Katja will bring “her own unique style and energy” to the slot.
The appointment forms part of 2FM’s refreshed line-up designed to showcase new voices, strong entertainment, and a mix of Irish and new music.

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The Irish radio industry will come together in Cork early next year for a landmark two-day conference marking a century since the first Irish radio broadcast.
Hosted by University College Cork (UCC) on 29 and 30 January 2026, the event is organised by UCC History in partnership with Coimisiún na Meán and supported by RTÉ and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI).
Industry leaders, academics and broadcasters will gather to explore radio’s role in Irish life through keynote speeches, panels and archive presentations. An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin will open the conference alongside representatives from Coimisiún na Meán and UCC.
Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio at RTÉ, will deliver the keynote address. A series of themed panels will follow, including discussions on talk radio and current affairs featuring Matt Cooper, PJ Coogan and Sarah McInerney, and the role of music and language in shaping Irish radio with John Creedon and others.
A panel on women in radio will be led by Doireann Ní Bhriain, joined by Patricia Messenger and Dr Rosemary Day, while sports presenters Jacqui Hurley and Trevor Welsh will take part in a discussion on sport on the airwaves. Other sessions include a focus on Irish-language broadcasting, the impact of Sound and Vision funding, and a look at the future of broadcasting featuring Bauer Media’s Ruth Fitzsimmons.
The programme also includes a presentation on the RTÉ Audio Archives by Brid Dooley and the launch of a special edition of the Irish Communications Review dedicated to 100 years of Irish radio.
Conference convenor Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill said the event would celebrate radio’s enduring impact while looking ahead to its future in an evolving media landscape.
More information and registration details are available at broadcast-to-podcast-conference-2026.com
Photo: Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill – Broadcast and Legal Historian, School of History, University College Cork (organiser), Patricia Monahan – Director of Audio RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst – DG RTÉ, Clare Diamond – Coimisiún na Meán Director of Broadcasting & VoD, Matt Cooper – Broadcaster at Today FM, Aoife Mac Evilly – Coimisiún na Meán Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner, Michael Kelly – Chief Executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland. […]

Coimisiún na Meán has opened the first round of its new Media Skills and Development Programme, offering up to €550,000 in funding for training, learning and development in Ireland’s media sector.
The scheme replaces the long-running Sectoral Learning and Development Programme and reflects An Coimisiún’s wider role in supporting a sustainable, diverse and participative media landscape.
Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said the initiative would help the sector adapt to new technologies and audience needs. “Continued upskilling and reskilling is crucial to facilitate the innovation necessary to enable the media sector to adapt to emerging technologies and meet the needs of audiences,” he said. “This new Programme aims to support activities that maximise impact and encourage cooperation, collaboration and partnership.”
Funding will continue to support community media, commercial radio, Irish language media and diversity initiatives, as well as training to address skills shortages or provide professional development opportunities.
Previous recipients of similar funding include CRAOL, Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Cultural and Creative Industries Skillsnet, GORM Media, Learning Waves and Women in Film and Television.
Applications close at midday on 10 November 2025, and full details including policy and application forms are available on the Coimisiún na Meán website at cnam.ie
**Excerpt version:**Coimisiún na Meán launches €550,000 fund to boost training, learning and development across Ireland’s media sector

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Freedom FM is back on FM radio across Ireland bringing its 90s and 00s hits to analogue listeners for 30 days.

The temporary FM licence allows the digital station to broadcast nationwide until 11 November, covering areas including Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, with full frequency details available on its website.
Freedom FM, which first launched in the mid-1990s, has built a loyal audience through DAB+ and online streaming. Its annual FM revival lets fans enjoy the station’s signature mix of pop, dance, R&B and indie tracks on traditional radio once again.
Station manager Sean Power said the return is about reconnecting with the station’s roots. “Whilst digital radio is showing us the future, there’s something special about hearing these tracks on your FM radio again, just like we did back in the day.”
The special FM run will include themed shows, listener requests and guest presenters, with appearances from TV personality Glenda Gilson, David Collins from Traitors Ireland, and Fair City actors Gerard Jordan, Matthew O’Brien and Sorcha Furlong.
Listeners can also continue to hear Freedom FM via DAB+ across Leinster, online at freedomfm.ie, on smart speakers and through its free mobile app.

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RTÉ Radio 1 has announced a full refresh of its weekday schedule following the news of Ray D’Arcy’s departure.

The new schedule includes Today with David McCullagh at 9am, Oliver Callan moving to an extended mid-morning slot at 11am, while Rachael English remains at the helm of News at One, keeping listeners informed with live reports and expert analysis.
From 1.45pm, Kieran Cuddihy takes over Liveline as the long-running programme celebrates its 40th anniversary, while Louise Duffy moves to 3pm for a show blending live music, celebrity guests and entertainment.
Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin will co-present Drivetime from the earlier time of 4pm, followed by a new daily sports programme from 6pm featuring interviews, previews and reviews of national and international sporting events.
Morning Ireland will continue to start the day at 7am, with two new presenters joining Audrey Carville and Gavin Jennings, to be announced soon.
RTÉ’s Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan, said the new schedule reflects changing listening habits while staying true to the station’s public service remit. “It’s been designed to give audiences the content they need across the day, from breaking news and analysis to music, chat and entertainment.”
Head of RTÉ Radio 1, Tara Campbell, added: “This new schedule introduces some new and younger voices while seeing many of our award-winning presenters move into new duties. We look forward to this revised line-up bringing listeners the very best mix across the day.”
RTÉ says the refreshed schedule reinforces its commitment to trusted journalism, distinctive Irish storytelling and high-quality entertainment for audiences across Ireland. […]