The IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame, since its initiation, stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of Irish radio. Past inductees have been luminaries of the industry, with names such as Joe Duffy, Marian Finucane, Pat Kenny, Ian Dempsey, Aine Lawlor, and Gay Byrne gracing the honour roll.
This Wednesday, September 13, the annual Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the IMRO office in Dublin. The IMRO Radio Awards Committee proudly announce the induction of four new members into its Hall of Fame. These inductees, chosen by an esteemed group of their contemporaries in the Irish radio community, span from national to local broadcasting. They have been selected not just for their longevity in the industry but for the unparalleled skill, unwavering passion, and deep love for radio they’ve showcased throughout their careers.
The 2023 inductees are:
- John Bennett MBE from BBC Radio Ulster, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the broadcasting landscape.
- Joe Finnegan from Shannonside Northern Sound is celebrated for his captivating voice and compelling storytelling.
- Paddy Halpenny, formerly of Communicorp, whose leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the direction of Irish radio.
- And Mary Wilson from RTÉ Radio 1, renowned for her incisive journalism and unwavering dedication to truth in broadcasting.
The legacy these figures are creating is a testament to the power and influence of radio in Ireland. As the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame continues its tradition of honouring the best in the industry, the class of 2023 is a reminder of the enduring impact of these icons in the world of broadcasting.
John Bennett, MBE, is one of Northern Ireland’s best-loved and most versatile personalities. Since joining the BBC in 1956, he has presented music, entertainment, sports, and current affairs programmes with equal prowess. His distinctive voice, warmth and breadth of knowledge have forged special bonds with listeners worldwide for close to 7 decades, sharing in their highs and lows and always giving them a voice.
John launched BBC Radio Ulster, with Gloria Hunniford, on New Year’s Eve in 1973. He is the head of the Station’s family. He is also well-known as “The President” of The Sunday Club – a 2-hour programme of beautifully curated music, mystery voices, yarns and listener requests – closing our weekend out: one which he has presented for the last 44 years. Such is its popularity that in 2015 the Station introduced The Saturday Club to its schedules. Again, John’s charisma and deep understanding of the audience made this a run-away success.
His appreciation of pace and tone and his ability to put even the biggest star at ease make him a master of the long-form interview. His celebrity interview series “With Bennett” has taken him into scores of starry living rooms and hotel foyers – from Spike Milligan to Janet Street-Porter and Jasper Carrot – and his special Christmas morning programme, “Calling Home”, has connected families at home and abroad for several decades.
John presented BBC Radio Ulster’s morning show (9000-1030) for 10 years, from 1993 to 2003. Spanning current affairs, entertainment and music, his understanding of “good radio” made it a superb listen. His irrepressible passion for football also made him a go-to commentator for hundreds of live matches – not least at Wembley Arena.
In January this year, John was awarded an MBE by King Charles III in his inaugural New Year Honours list for services to Television and Radio Broadcasting. This was widely celebrated by listeners, colleagues and industry professionals, coming in his 80th birthday year.
In a news article about The Sunday Club, John recently spoke of his special bond with listeners:
“I get emails, texts and letters from quite literally all over the world. People tune in from Japan, Australia, and the States, and they’re not all ex-pats, just people who picked it up on the internet and like the music. It’s like a family, a communion with a small-c. They write and tell you their problems. It’s nice.
“I’ve had correspondence that has reduced me to tears. People ask me for details of the signature tune that we use because their mother, or their grandmother, wanted it played at their funeral. A fortnight ago someone asked for a dedication for a lady because she was very ill, and apparently, she heard the programme, was delighted to hear her name mentioned and died that night, just afterwards. They just got in touch to say thanks for playing it, to say she so enjoyed it, and that she was happy in the end.”
Joe Finnegan is a household name in Irish radio broadcasting, having worked for over 34 years as a highly successful current affairs presenter, journalist, director, and station manager at Shannonside Northern Sound. He started his career in radio in the mid-1980s, and in 1989, he was instrumental in the setup of the station that was Shannonside and was one of its shareholders. Joe was the first voice heard on Shannonside Radio, covering counties Longford, Roscommon, and South Leitrim. In 1995, Shannonside and Northern Sound’s licences were combined to create the first regional station in Ireland, which broadcasts to 5 counties in 3 provinces.
As station manager, he and his fellow directors developed and implemented a successful programme policy which not only made Shannonside Northern Sound the most listened-to station in the region but it also involved the recruitment and training of staff who went on to achieve great recognition within the two main National Broadcasters.
In The RTE Family, Damien O’Reilly, Sinead Hussey, Fran McNulty, Justin Treacy, and Declan Mc Bennett, among others, started out in the Shannonside Northern Sound School of Broadcasting, as did Paul Quinn, Mairead Cleary (Virgin Media) and Grainne McElwain (TG4/GAA GO)
The station consistently remains in the top 5 local radio stations in the country. He was a contributor to the formation of IRS and Learning Waves and would have been the point of contact for the IRTC and the BCI from 1989 until 2007.
The JF Show debuted in 1989 and quickly gained a reputation for its insightful and engaging coverage of local, national, and international news and current affairs. The show features a mix of interviews, debates, and analysis and has become a must-listen for anyone interested in politics, business, or social issues in the region. Joe’s interviewing style is one of the reasons why the JF Show is so popular. He will ask tough questions while still maintaining a respectful and engaging tone with his guests. His ability to put his guests at ease and encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions has made him a favourite among listeners and guests alike. Joe has interviewed everyone from local politicians and community leaders to national and international figures. The JF Show has won numerous awards for his broadcasting, including several PPI/IMRO National Radio Awards.
Following Radio Kerry’s acquisition of Shannonside Northern Sound in 2006, Joe oversaw the transition before stepping down from his role as Programme Controller in 2008. Joe continued to present the JF Show and work with the new management to help continue the success story that is Shannonside Northern Sound.
Joe’s achievements in broadcasting are a testament to his talent and dedication. He has played a pivotal role in the development of Shannonside Northern Sound and has helped to make it one of the most successful radio stations in the country. His work on the JF Show has helped to shape public opinion and has provided a platform for people to engage with important issues in a meaningful way.
In conclusion, Joe Finnegan is a highly accomplished broadcaster who has made an indelible mark on Irish radio for more than 34 years. He is a true icon of Irish broadcasting and a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work, talent, and passion.
Patrick (Paddy) Halpenny, AKA ‘the General,’ was Chief Executive of Communicorp from 1997 to 2013. When he joined Communicorp, it consisted of 98FM in Dublin and Kiss in Prague. During the next fifteen years, Communicorp grew to a portfolio of 42 stations in 9 countries.
Communicorp owned and operated two Irish national stations, two local stations in Dublin and one regional youth station. It became an international radio operator with stations from Dublin to Tallinn, Budapest to Helsinki and Sofia to Kyiv.
Paddy Halpenny thought deeply about the Irish Radio Market and how it should develop into a strong and independent sector that could withstand any number of unforeseen challenges.
As important as the regulator, the shareholders, and the on-air talent are, Paddy believed most in the professional development of the executives who ultimately operate the radio stations on a day-to-day basis. He poured a huge amount of his time into mentoring his people. What Paddy liked to call the “reading and writing” what consultants call the “brilliant at the basics.”
Paddy was a stickler for accuracy in numbers and language, underpinned by his ability for thinking about what was not around the next corner but the fifth next corner! Paddy steered Newstalk from a Dublin station to a successful National station. He valued creativity and risk, which resulted in the hiring of new talent who were to become our brightest and best.
With the collapse of INN in 2010, he oversaw the replacement of a cost-effective and accurate National hourly news service for local radio.
Paddy is a major contributor to the success of the Irish Radio Sector, and much of what he achieved went unnoticed by those outside the industry.
Deeply private and highly intelligent, Paddy kept a low profile, happy for others to stand in the limelight as he continued to drive the business to the highest standards.
Mary Wilson hails from Drangan in South Tipperary and joined RTÉ’s local radio service in Cork in 1989 after a career in provincial journalism and PR.
Mary later moved to the RTÉ Dublin Newsroom in 1990 to work as a reporter on Morning Ireland and later worked in all areas of radio and TV news as a correspondent, editor and presenter.
Mary was the station’s legal affairs correspondent and editor for ten years, 1996-2006, winning the National Journalist of the Year Award 2000 and multiple awards in the Justice Media Awards for her news and documentary coverage on radio TV and Primetime.
In 2006, Mary was asked to anchor the newly launched Drivetime radio show and stayed with the show for 14 years bringing listenership to a high of 265,000 listeners.
In 2020 she returned to Morning Ireland to join the presenting team on the most listened-to programme in the Irish radio Market.
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IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame inductees to date:
Micheál O’Muircheartaigh – RTÉ Radio 1
Jimmy Magee – RTÉ Radio1
Des Whelan – WLR FM
Marian Finucane – RTÉ Radio 1
Gay Byrne – RTÉ Radio1
Larry Gogan – RTÉ 2fm
Mario Rosenstock – Today FM
Gerry Ryan – 2fm
Ronan O’Rahilly – Radio Caroline
Candy Devine – Downtown
Seán Bán Breathnach – RTÉ Raidio Na Gaeltachta
Joe Duffy – RTÉ Radio 1
Bill Goulding – RTÉ
Liam O’Shea – clare fm
Tony Fenton RIP – Today FM
Paul Claffey – Midwest Radio
Áine Lawlor – RTÉ Radio 1
Walter Love – BBC Radio Ulster
Gerry Anderson – BBC Radio Ulster
Pat Balfe – Communicorp
Des Cahill – RTÉ Radio 1
Henry Owens RIP – Red FM
Seamus McKee – BBC Radio Ulster
Eamon Buttle – South East Radio
Trevor Campbell – Downtown Radio
Ian Dempsey – Today FM
Dave Fanning – RTÉ 2fm
Linda McAuley – BBC Radio Ulster
Séamus Mac Géidigh RIP – RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta
Billy McCarthy RIP – WLR FM
Joe King – Broadcast Technical Services Limited
Pat Kenny – Newstalk
Margaret Nelson – FM104/Q102
Willie O’Reilly
Ian Wilson – RTÉ Radio 1 & 2fm
Sean Moncrieff – Newstalk
Ronan Collins – RTÉ Radio 1
Paul Byrne – Radio Kerry
Declan Meehan – East Coast FM
George Hamilton – RTÉ Lyric FM
Patricia Messinger – C103
Stephen Clements RIP – BBC Radio Ulster/Go Q Radio
Rachael English – RTÉ Radio 1
Keith Finnegan – Galway Bay FM
Albert Fitzgerald RIP – Midlands 103
