Today FM secured the title of National Station of the Year at the 2026 IMRO Radio Awards, leading a pack of winners that included RTÉ Radio 1 with 24 total category wins, while Shannonside Northern Sound took local station honors and SPIN 1038 claimed the music station category. The annual gala, hosted by Dermot Whelan at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in County Kilkenny, featured awards handed out in gold, silver, and bronze across 42 categories voted on by a 12-member Radio Awards Committee representing the Irish broadcasting sector.
RTÉ Radio 1 led all broadcasters with 24 total IMRO trophies, comprising seven gold, nine silver, and eight bronze awards, according to event results. Regional broadcaster Shannonside Northern Sound captured Local Station of the Year, and SPIN 1038 took Music Station of the Year, while its presenter Emma Nolan won Music and Entertainment Presenter of the Year.
Major Winners and Station Honors at the Kilkenny Gala
The ceremony at the Lyrath Estate Hotel brought together figures from across national, regional, and local radio. Chris Doyle, Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards Committee, noted that the entries demonstrated bold ideas, brilliant storytelling, and a deep understanding of audiences. IMRO Chair Tom Dunne remarked on the organization’s role as title sponsor since 2017, thanking presenters, producers, researchers, journalists, music programmers, sound engineers, and station teams for their contributions to Irish radio.
Coimisiún na Meán Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly also congratulated the winners, highlighting the agency’s ongoing support through funding schemes and its Broadcasting Services Strategy. Among individual talent wins, 98FM’s Leanne Hanafin picked up Radio DJ of the Year, and East Coast FM’s Jamie Ryan was named Newcomer of the Year.
Justin McCarthy wins News Broadcaster of the Year
Justin McCarthy won News Broadcaster of the Year, with BBC Radio Ulster’s Richard Morgan taking silver and RTÉ’s Sarah McInerney securing bronze. RTÉ Radio 1’s Brian O’Connell was named News Reporter of the Year, followed by station colleague Barry Lenihan. Brendan O’Connor won gold in the Speech Broadcaster of the Year category, and his RTÉ Radio 1 programme also delivered the Radio Moment of the Year for an appearance by Brenda Fricker. The station’s Drivetime won Current Affairs Programme of the Year.
In local current affairs, South East Radio’s Morning Mix won gold in the Best Current Affairs Programme (Local/Regional) category. Presented by Alan Corcoran and produced by Lucinda Kelly, the programme beat out competing nominees after earning previous nominations in the category.
Midlands 103 claims Breakfast Show of the Year
Breakfast Show of the Year went to Midlands 103 for Breakfast at the Ploughing. The General Music Programme award went to Mícheál, Shane & Ella on iRadio. Clare FM won the Documentary category for The Hidden Disability, and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta secured three gold awards across Drama, Craoltóireacht Le Gaeilge, and Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year.
Hall of Fame Inductions Recognize Broadcasting Veterans
The IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame welcomed four distinguished individuals during the proceedings: Helen Ní Shé of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Teena Gates of Bauer Media Ireland, Michael Crawley of LMFM, and RTÉ Lyric FM’s Marty Whelan. Marty Whelan attended the purple carpet ceremony alongside his wife Maria, while the inductees received a rousing welcome from attendees at the Lyrath Estate Hotel following a special induction ceremony held the previous month.
IMRO sponsors annual Radio Awards since 2017
IMRO has served as the title sponsor of the annual Radio Awards since 2017, supporting categories that span national, regional, and local stations across Ireland.
Who won the 2026 IMRO Radio Awards?
Who hosted the 2026 IMRO Radio Awards?
Dermot Whelan hosted the awards event at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in County Kilkenny.
Which station won National Station of the Year?
Today FM claimed the National Station of the Year title.
Who were the Hall of Fame inductees?
Inductees into the Hall of Fame for 2026 included Helen Ní Shé from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Teena Gates from Bauer Media Ireland, Michael Crawley from LMFM, and Marty Whelan from RTÉ Lyric FM.
Which programme won Radio Moment of the Year?
Brenda Fricker’s appearance on the Brendan O’Connor programme on RTÉ Radio 1 was selected as the Radio Moment of the Year.
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