Ireland

Commercial radio stations across Ireland are set to benefit from a new €3 million fund dedicated to strengthening news reporting.
The funding is part of a wider €10 million package announced by Coimisiún na Meán, which has opened applications for three journalism schemes, including the new News Reporting Scheme.
A total of €4 million will be made available under the scheme, with €3 million ring-fenced for commercial radio broadcasters. The allocation was made by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, who said the funding recognises the important role radio plays in delivering trusted, high-quality news.
The scheme is being launched on a pilot basis and will be reviewed after one year. It will support the creation of public interest journalism on a platform-neutral basis, focusing on issues under-represented in current news coverage such as rural affairs, transport, sustainability, marginalised groups, social and cultural topics, and the impact of public policy.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said the organisation is committed to supporting “a media landscape that is sustainable, pluralistic, and participative, and one that consumers can trust”.
Applications for the News Reporting Scheme can be submitted by regulated news and current affairs service providers, or by freelance journalists working with a regulated outlet.
Alongside the new initiative, €6 million has also been made available under round two of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes. The first round of these schemes, launched last year, supported the creation of more than one hundred new journalism roles.
Minister O’Donovan said the new funding would “enable media outlets to report on news topics that are not substantially covered at present” and enhance coverage of local authorities and the courts. He added: “Commercial radio stations play an invaluable role in community engagement, cohesion and the promotion of social inclusion across the country and provide a crucial public service in the delivery of trusted information.”
Coimisiún na Meán expects applications from both national and regional outlets, with the aim of strengthening news provision for audiences across Ireland. […]

Well-known radio presenters gathered at Dublin’s Mansion House on Friday evening for a simultaneous Europe-wide event to mark Bauer Media’s 150th anniversary and link up with 12,000 colleagues in other markets.

The celebration brought together Bauer Media Audio Ireland and Bauer Media Outdoor, drawing around 350 staff to Dublin, with a live video connection to employees across the UK, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Hamburg.
Ray Foley of Today FM and Ciara Kelly of Newstalk who took to the stage and welcome guests both in Dublin and also to send best wishes via a video link to those attending parties simultaneously in the UK, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Bauer headquarters in Hamburg
Among those spotted at the Dublin event were Jack Keating, Ian Dempsey, Ciara Doherty, Andrea Gilligan, Emma Nolan, Pat Kenny ,Matt Cooper, Louise Cantillon,Paula MacCarthy,Henry McKean and Alison Curtis as well as Brendan O ‘Loughlin and Rebecca Shekleton.
Founded in 1875 in Hamburg, Bauer has grown from a family-run publisher into one of Europe’s largest commercial media companies, operating radio, publishing and out-of-home businesses across multiple markets.
Ciara Kelly and Ray Foley pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Russell Alford, Rebecca Shekleton,Brendan O Loughlin and Leanne Hanafin pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Jack Keating pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Jack Keating and Andrea Gilligan pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Andrea Gilligan and her team pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Claire Beck, Pat Kenny and Andrea Gilligan pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy

Shane Coleman and Roisin Reilly pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Ciara Kely and Ray Foley pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Tanya O Sullivan and Grainne Murnane pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Eimear Bradley Pat Kenny and Claire Darmody pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Fionnuala Corbett ,Martin Guilfoyle and Paul Byrne pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Shonagh Lyons and Niall Power pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Presenters Ciara Kelly and Andrea Gilligan pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Radio presenters Shonagh Lyons and Pat Kenny pictured celebrating at the 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Ciara Doherty pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Presenters Ciara Kelly and Andrea Gilligan pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Presenters Ray Foley and Ciara Kelly pictured as they prepared to go live across Europe to celebrate 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Presenters Ray Foley and Ciara Kelly pictured as they went live across Europe to celebrate 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Louise Cantillon pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Chris Doyle pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Paula MacSweeney pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Emma Nolan pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy
Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman pictured celebrating 150 years of Bauer Media at the Mansion House,Dublin.Picture Brian McEvoy

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Ireland’s podcast and audio industry will gather in Adare this November for a new two-day summit called Sound Waves.
The event runs on 12 and 13 November 2025 and will focus on how podcasts, sport and music content can be created, monetised and scaled. It will bring together producers, publishers and creators to share knowledge and ideas.
At the close of the summit, the inaugural All-Ireland Podcast Awards will take place on Thursday 13 November. The awards will celebrate podcasts across the 32 counties of Ireland and have been established to recognise the country’s growing podcasting sector.
Dylan Haskins, Commissioner of Podcasts at BBC Sounds, has been named as Head Judge for the awards. Categories cover eight areas of podcasting, with judging carried out under clear published criteria and an independent process. Organisers have stressed that the new awards are not affiliated with any previous podcast awards in Ireland.
Entries are now open and are free to encourage wide participation. Podcasts with a clear Irish link are eligible to submit up to 15 minutes of audio and a short synopsis by the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 16 September 2025. Irish-language entries are also invited.
Full rules and the entry form can be found at soundwaves.ie/aipa2025.
A spokesperson for the organisers said the summit is “about the craft and the business — how great ideas travel from studio to audience and back again. We’re starting as we mean to go on: smart conversations, practical takeaways and a celebration that puts creators first.”
Dylan added: “The podcast industry has grown rapidly in Ireland over the past ten years, with a really diverse mix of shows from independent creators, commercial and public service publishers. While awards by their nature involve competition, the All-Ireland Podcast Awards are really about bringing the industry together each year to celebrate and recognise the excellent work happening nationally and internationally from Irish-associated producers and hosts.”
The Sound Waves summit and awards will both be staged in Adare, County Limerick, with early bird passes available now at soundwaves.ie. […]

David McCullagh will take over RTÉ Radio 1’s Today from Monday 3rd November this year replacing current presenter Claire Byrne.
He moves from presenting the Six One News and the Behind the Story podcast to lead the weekday 10am slot.
RTÉ says Today with David McCullagh will keep a sharp, accessible focus on the day’s top stories, with in-depth interviews and trusted reporting across politics, sport, culture and everyday life.
Features on health, lifestyle, nature, food and music will remain part of the mix alongside live coverage of major developments, with David continuing to front RTÉ’s election coverage when required.
Dublin-born David holds a PhD in Politics from UCD and joined RTÉ in 1993 after starting out at the Evening Press.
He has reported and presented across radio and television, served twelve years as Political Correspondent, fronted Prime Time from 2013, and currently co-anchors the Six One News.
Confirming the move, Patricia Monahan said: “David’s grasp of the political scene and incisive interviewing make him the perfect choice for the Today programme.”
David said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Today programme and excited about the challenge ahead.”
RTÉ will announce the new Liveline presenter in the coming weeks, while David remains on the Six One News until the end of October. […]

Claire Byrne will join Newstalk in early 2026 to host a new mid-morning programme, replacing Pat Kenny who’s off to weekends and the Bauer board room.
Claire has been a familiar presence in Irish media for more than twenty years, working across both radio and television, covering major election campaigns, leader debates and key referendum discussions.
Speaking about her move, Claire said: “I’m very excited to join Newstalk from next year. This new chapter marks a really significant milestone for me in my career, and I’m thrilled to be doing it with the vibrant team and listeners at Newstalk as they continue to thrive and cement their position in the Irish media landscape.
“It’s a particular honour for me to take up the reins from Pat Kenny, a broadcaster whose career, skill and passion for the job is an inspiration to all of us.”
Newstalk Managing Editor Eric Moylan welcomed the appointment, saying: “We’re delighted to announce that Claire Byrne will return to Newstalk in the New Year. Claire is a seriously talented and skilful broadcaster with a wide range and will be a fantastic addition to the Newstalk schedule.
“She is a central part of our ambitious plans for continued audience growth at Newstalk across FM and digital listening. We look forward to getting started next year.”
Claire previously worked with Newstalk earlier in her career before moving into national television roles. She now returns to the station at a key point of change, following the confirmation that Pat Kenny will move from weekdays to host new weekend programming.
Further details about the mid-morning show will be confirmed nearer the time, and Claire’s replacement at Radio 1 is coming soon. […]