Radio stars and fans to descend on Cork for event to mark a century of Irish radio

The airwaves and UCC are set to reverberate with insight and reflection, as the university hosts a landmark conference to commemorate 100 years of Irish radio this month.

The event takes place on January 29-30, organised by UCC History in partnership with Coimisiún na Meán, supported by RTÉ and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, (IBI).

“Irish radio is the oldest broadcast service in Europe,” says organiser Dr Finola Doyle O’Neill, Broadcast and Legal Historian at UCC.

Official radio broadcasting in Ireland began on New Year’s Day, 1926 when the Dublin station 2RN was launched, followed in April, 1927, by the 6CK station in Cork, to provide something closer to national coverage for what would become the national broadcaster Radio Éireann in later years.

“I have always had a huge passion for radio and my first thought was, maybe RTÉ are organising something to celebrate 100 years of radio,” says Finola. “I realised with all the recent changes within the national broadcaster that maybe that wasn’t going to happen.”

Finola took matters into her own capable hands. “I approached the former head of radio, Peter Woods, about organising a conference in UCC to commemorate 100 years of radio. He was very interested.”

Then what?

“Within a month he had retired!” says Finola, laughing. “I decided to try and see if I could organise an event myself.”

She says that instead of a career in academia, she should have considered being a businesswoman.

“I think my vocation should have been in business! Organising the radio conference marking 100 years of radio was a huge undertaking,” says Finola. “I stole a march on RTÉ. I got the ball rolling. Already I had got Matt Cooper and our own PJ Coogan to attend the conference and to speak at it.”

As well as those two Corkonians, she also got veteran broadcaster and fellow Rebel John Creedon on board.

Delegates attending the two-day national event at UCC will see some of the most influential voices in Irish broadcasting, both past and present.

“The conference will explore the legacy, culture, and future of radio in Ireland through a dynamic programme of panels, keynotes and archival exhibitions,” says Finola.

“Members of the public who are attending the conference will receive a commemoration booklet which is a limited edition. An Post is issuing a commemorative stamp to mark 100 years in radio.”

Nostalgia will feature at the event.

“Radio formed the soundscapes during so much of our lives,” Finola says. “Looking back at the pioneering programmes and talk shows that were part of our daily lives I think will prove to be a major event at the conference. Gay Byrne had a huge influence on me. Talk shows in general had huge influence on the public and on public opinion.”

I tell Finola that as a young girl visiting my grandparents in Rockchapel, North Cork, the ‘wireless’ had pride of place on the specially made shelf in the ‘good room’.

There was Take To The Floor, courtesy of Din Joe Murphy, School Around The Corner with Paddy Crosby, and in later years, Dear Frankie was on in mid-morning.

On match days when Micheál O’Hehir’s voice took over, children were seen and not heard, as was the case during the news and weather bulletins and when the Angelus bells sounded on the airwaves.

“The wireless created connectivity, transforming the way we lived and moved,” says Finola. “Radio still has 83% of listeners daily.

“As our former president Michael D. Higgins said, ‘radio is the heartbeat of community’. I listen to the radio all the time, every day,

“While we’ll be looking at national radio over 100 years, we’ll also be exploring how radio has evolved over the centuries, and the fascinating journey from broadcasting to podcasting,” adds Finola. “With the advent of AI, discussions will take place about the future of radio in Ireland.”

Radio is very much a staple in Irish households.

“Absolutely,” says Finola. “National radio still reflects on our culture now. As Nuala O’Faolain said, ‘we are a nation of talkers’.”

Who will be talking at the radio conference in UCC?

“We have a great line-up,” Finola says. “Opening remarks by Taoiseach Micheál Martin alongside representatives from Coimisiún na Meán and UCC. The keynote address will be by Patricia Monaghan, Director of Audio at RTÉ. Panel discussions include Talk Radio and Current Affairs featuring Matt Cooper of Today FM, PJ Coogan of 96FM, and RTÉ IMRO award winner Sarah McInerney. We’ll hear about The Role of Music and Language in shaping Irish radio with John Creedon, and others.”

Other speaks include Doireann Ni Bhriain, the voice of the Luas, Cork Broadcasting Hall of Fame member Patricia Messinger, of C103FM, and Dr Rosemary Day, Head of Media at Mary Immaculate College.

There will be a Sports Panel with Jacqui Hurley and our own Trevor Welsh, and Gaelige ar an Radio Panel, celebrating 20 years of Sound and Vision funding.

“There will be industry insights with participants from IBI, RTÉ, local and community radio, and a panel on the Future of Broadcasting, featuring Ruth Fitzsimons, Director of Digital at Bauer Media.”

Finola adds: “There is a special presentation on RTÉ Audio Archives by Brid Dooley, the launch of Special edition of the Irish Communications Review focusing on 100 years of Irish radio.

“Organising the event took up a lot of my time,” says Finola. “Sorting the logistics like refreshments and accommodation for the delegates was a job in itself.”

Finola is a well versed on all things radio. “Clare FM was the first to broadcast obituaries,” she says. “Ireland was the first country in the world to proclaim itself an independent state.”

James Connolly prepared the bulletin after the 1916 Rising, while Guglielmo Marconi did some of his initial testing of radio ranges from special stations set up in Cork from 1902.

“All those kinds of fascinating historical snippets and much more, can be heard at the UCC conference,” says Finola.

Fun can be had too.

“A quiz will be held for the audience featuring signature tunes of radio shows over the years which they will be invited to guess at. That should be fun!” says Finola. “This event promises to be both a celebration and a critical reflection on how radio has shaped, and continues to shape Irish society and culture.”

Finola adds: “I remember my first delight, indeed my awe at the sheer magic of the radio. And I remember the kitchen throbbing with the best of Irish dance music beamed to us all the way from Dublin.”

Reserve your place at www.broadcast-to-podcast-conference-2026.com. Tickets €15.