Daingean broadcaster wins national award

Former Miss Offaly and popular Midlands 103 presenter, Tara McCormack from Killaderry, Daingean, scooped gold in this year’s prestigious IMRO radio awards last Friday night. Tara won the coveted Gay Byrne Newcomer Award in this, the 21st year of the awards, less than a year after she took to the airwaves.

Speaking after the announcement, Tara said she was “thrilled” at the news. She presents the popular Super Sunday show on Midlands 103 Radio between 12 and 2pm playing classic music from the 80s, 90s and 00s.

“I absolutely adore live broadcasting and always wanted to get into that side,” Tara told the Offaly Independent. She studied Media and English Literature at the University of Limerick where she is now doing a Masters in News and Sports Journalism. “I decided during Covid that, as I had time to play with, I’d upskill,” she explained.

Tara had worked behind the scenes in broadcasting for several years. She was head of digital with Midlands 103 for a couple of years before going on to iRadio as head of integration. She also worked for Spin Southwest and Limericks Live 95fm. She said she did a lot of reviews and features, but never had her own show until last November when she was appointed presenter of the Super Sunday show.

In her spare time Tara enjoys CrossFit which she describes as a mix of weight lifting and gymnastics and is a member of CrossFit Tullamore located at Kilcruttin Business Park, Spollenstown.

This year marks the 21st birthday of the IMRO awards and it was celebrated in style attracting the largest number of entries in over five years. Over 700 entries were received and competition was intense as stations across the country vied for one of the prestigious awards