Ireland

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. […]

Former Q102 breakfast presenter Aidan Cooney has joined Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio to present Sunday afternoons.
Aidan, who first started out on Radio Dublin in the late 1970s, has worked across many stations including ARD, Big D, Sunshine Radio, Radio Nova, Treble TR, 98FM and Q102. He became widely known in 1999 when he joined the Ireland AM team on TV3, now Virgin Media.
Speaking about his new role, Aidan said: “Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio is very much on the up and I just felt it was time for a new challenge. I’m really looking forward to working with some really amazing people. All you have to do is look at their On Air talent it jumps out at you so it’s a pleasure to be joining the team on Sunday.”
Dave Kelly, Programme Director at Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, commented: “Aidan is a quality presenter and we are absolutely delighted to welcome him on board. He is a fantastic broadcaster and addition to the ever growing much loved radio station in Ireland.”
Chief Executive Kevin Branigan added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Aidan Cooney to Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio. He has a warmth and relatability that connects with listeners and is a well-known household name. He’s a perfect presenter for us and I’m looking forward to him joining the team.”
Aidan will be on air every Sunday afternoon.

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

Subscribe […]

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. […]