Community radio for Tullamore
A new radio station aimed primarily at Tullamore and its immediate surroundings is due to start broadcasting online starting this autumn.
Tullamore Community Radio was set up in April by a group of local volunteers and well known local DJ Tommy McCabe, who has been named as station manager.
It was confirmed that the community radio station will have its studios located in the town centre and will play a variety of music, local interviews, documentaries on all things Tullamore.
Mr McCabe said the station will give a voice to all community groups and volunteer organisations in Tullamore.
The station will broadcast initially for a duration of thirty days as required by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI).
It’s hoped by this time next year that Tullamore Community radio will be broadcasting on thirty to one hundred day pilot licence then progress to a twelve month licence leading to an eventual term of ten years.
The group behind the radio station maintains the station will give access to all community based organisations in Tullamore and they will provide full training to volunteers who wish to take part and the programme content will be dictated by what Tullamore people want to hear.
It’s expected that the radio station will play a variety of music, local interviews, documentaries on all things Tullamore, sport and news will be included and engagement in sponsorship, fundraising and promotion with local businesses and organisations in the area.
Fellow founding member Liam Dumpleton outlined that the community radio station will not be in competition with the existing commercial station, but will be a completely different entity which will have the freedom to concentrate on Tullamore solely and everything to do with the town and it’s history.
He says local people and volunteers will all be able to have a role to play as it will be their station.
'The station will be completely community based and all volunteers and people involved will be part of something to be proud of and all local organisations will have a vehicle on which to always promote their work in Tullamore,' commented Tommy McCabe.
'The importance of the studio location in the middle of town is a great opportunity for people to walk in and see a community radio station on their own doorstep and being so close to local businesses will be a great benefit to everyone who wants to hear what’s going on in their own town,' he added.
The new radio station will have a presence at the upcoming Tullamore Show and The National Ploughing Championships and will be engaging in outside broadcasts all around Tullamore and the group says all charities, organisations, clubs, businesses and any other local groups are welcome to have their voice heard on Tullamore Community Radio.
Both Mr McCabe and Mr Dumpleton say this radio station will be completely community based and will grow as Tullamore grows, giving a unique voice to Tullamore people, talking about Tullamore issues.
Both men emphasised that the radio station is all about community and people can get involved and volunteer by emailing info@tullamorecommunityradio.com or through the group’s Facebook page Tullamore Community Radio.