About WLR

WLR has been at the heart of Waterford life for decades, serving as a trusted source of entertainment, news, sport, and local connection across the Déise.

Founded in the late 1970s during Ireland’s pirate radio era, WLR quickly established itself as a distinctive local voice. In 1989, it became one of only two stations nationally to transition from pirate to licensed broadcaster, a milestone that marked the beginning of a new era for local radio in Ireland.

Since then, WLR has continuously evolved. Key developments include the expansion to Dungarvan in 1998, the launch of Beat in 2002 to serve younger audiences in the Southeast, and the creation of The Broadcast Centre at Ardkeen, a state-of-the-art facility supporting radio, digital, and video production. That same year, WLR also secured Ireland’s first local television licence, Waterford @8.

In 2018, the launch of Absolute Irish Radio further strengthened WLR’s digital offering, celebrating Irish music and culture for an online audience.

We’re also proud to be Ireland’s most awarded local stations, with seven Station of the Year titles and numerous individual awards recognising the people behind the microphone.

Today, WLR operates as a fully integrated, multi-platform broadcaster. With over 1.7 million monthly website visits, strong digital listenership on mobile and smart speaker, and continued audience loyalty, the station remains one of Ireland’s leading local media brands.

In 2026, ownership transitioned to DMG Media Ireland in partnership with Des Whelan, marking a new phase of strategic growth while maintaining WLR’s core mission: delivering high-quality, locally focused content.

In an increasingly competitive media landscape, WLR’s strength lies in its authenticity, its talent, and its deep-rooted connection to Waterford.

WLR — Trusted. Local. First for Waterford.