Licensed radio broadcasting in Ireland is one element of the wider media of Ireland, with 85% of the population listening to a licensed radio broadcasting service on any given day.
Independent Local Radio is the collective name given to commercial radio stations in the United Kingdom. As a result of the buyouts and mergers permitted by the Broadcasting Act 1990, and deregulation resulting from the Communications Act 2003, most commercial stations are now neither independent nor local. The same name is used for Independent Local Radio in Ireland.
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100–102 Today FM, is an Irish national commercial FM radio station. Broadcasting since 17 March 1997, it carries music and talk. Purchased by Denis O'Brien's Communicorp in 2007, Today FM holds a licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland as far as the year 2027. The station recorded pretax profits of €7.4 million on a turnover of €19.4 million in early 2009, more than twice what it was two years previously.
Greatest Hits Radio South Wales is Independent Local Radio station owned and operated by Bauer Radio as part of the Greatest Hits Radio network. The station broadcasts to Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, East Carmarthenshire and South West Wales from studios in the Gowerton area of Swansea.
Heart Kent was a local radio station owned and operated by Global Radio as part of the Heart network. It broadcast to Kent from studios at John Wilson Business Park in Whitstable.
Pirate radio in Ireland has had a long history, with hundreds of pirate radio stations having operated within the country.
Newstalk is a national independent radio station in Ireland. It is operated by News 106 Limited, a subsidiary of Bauer Media Audio Ireland, and broadcasts under a sound broadcasting contract with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
96FM is one of three local radio stations licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland for Cork City and County in Ireland. It broadcasts from studios at Broadcasting House, St. Patrick's Place in Cork City.
C103 is one of three local radio stations licensed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland for Cork City and County in Republic of Ireland. It broadcasts from studios at the Majestic Business Park, Goulds Hill in Mallow, Weir Street in Bandon and St. Patrick's Place in Cork City.
Limerick has had a number of pirate radio stations over the years; however, not many of these have had sufficient longevity to make a significant impact.
Radio Limerick One, also called Limerick 95FM and RLO at times, was the licensed radio station serving Limerick city and county. Licensed by the Independent Radio and Television Commission in 1989, its licence was removed in 1996 for misbehaviour, although the station did not leave the airwaves. It was eventually replaced by Limerick's Live 95FM as the licensed operator.
Digital Radio in the Republic of Ireland is broadcast on a number of digital terrestrial, cable and internet platforms. Until the 31 March 2021, official broadcasts of the digital audio broadcasting standard were also available in the state by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) of their full banquet of radio services. DAB broadcasts since April 2021 are now restricted to unlicensed, low powered multiplexes in a small number of locations.
CRAOL, also called the Community Radio Forum of Ireland, or Community Radio Ireland, is the representative, co-ordinating, lobbying, training and support group for Irish Community Radio. Every week, across Ireland, 2000 community radio volunteers broadcasts to 170,000 people in 20 fully licensed stations and 42 aspirant stations. The organisation runs a helpline to assist in the development of community radio. CRAOL is a registered provider of FETAC Accredited training.
103.2 Dublin City FM is an Independent Local Radio station in Dublin, Ireland, operated by Dublin Public Service Radio Association Ltd, under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The station broadcasts on the 103.2 MHz FM frequency. Dublin City FM's Broadcast tower is located on "Rock Solid" tower on Three Rock Mountain, Co.Dublin. Dublin City FM is Ireland's only special interest, arts and cultural radio station.
Dublin South FM is a Community Radio station for South Dublin, which broadcasts seven days a week from 11am to 11pm on 93.9FM, and broadcasts 24 hours a day on digital.
SPIN South West is radio station broadcasting from Raheen in Limerick city to the South West of Ireland. It launched on 23 July 2007, and holds an Independent Regional Radio contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to broadcast to County Kerry, County Limerick, County Clare, County Tipperary and south-west County Laois.
98FM is a local radio station in Dublin, Ireland, operated by Bauer Media Audio Ireland, under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The station broadcasts on the 98.1 MHz FM frequency. 98FM's broadcast antenna is located on Three Rock Mountain, County Dublin at 5 kW, and can be heard in Dublin and neighbouring counties. 98FM also has a relay in north County Dublin, broadcasting on 97.4 MHz. Since 2022 the station has been marketed as "Dublin's Good Times"
Downtown Radio is a Hot Adult Contemporary music radio station based in Newtownards, County Down, that serves all of Northern Ireland using a network of AM, FM and DAB transmitters.
