There is plenty of excellent radio to keep you entertained this Christmas period here on WLR.
First and foremost DO NOT miss the big man himself, ‘Santa Claus’ when he pops into the studio to speak to boys and girls from across Waterford on Friday December 23rd. Join Santa, live on air, with Vinny and Aoibhin on the Big Breakfast Blaa from 8-10am.
There’s a packed schedule on Christmas Eve with Sean Organ, Maria McCann, Timmy Ryan, Andy McCloskey, Ray C and Michael Byrne entertaining you with the best Christmas music, requests, and festive fun. There are THREE Christmas concerts to look forward to on Christmas Eve. The ‘Little Stars’ Christmas Concert, which was recorded in St. John’s Church in Waterford City, will be broadcast from 6pm. This will be followed at 9pm by the annual ‘Dungarvan Community Christmas Concert’ which was recorded at the Friary Church in Dungarvan. Finally, ‘A Christmas Concert’ which was recorded at the Holy Cross Church Tramore, will air on Christmas Eve at Midnight.
Christmas Day on WLR is jam-packed with Christmas fun! Whether you're driving to see the in-laws, preparing the turkey, or just having a break from it all, we've got loads to keep you entertained! Sean Organ is waking up Waterford on Christmas morning from 7am with the best music and requests to start the day off. This will be followed at 10am by Damien Tiernan with a tasty ‘Déise Today’ with all the trimmings! At 12pm, Mary O’Neill will bring you ‘A Christmas Concert’ from The Holy Cross Church Tramore, recorded as part of the WLR Christmas Appeal. The concert features Vanessa Whelan, Caroline Reid O’Brien, Damien O’Brien and The Kalimbas.
This concert will be followed on air at 1pm by Andy McCloskey who'll bring you three hours of his favourite Christmas songs. At 4pm, its your second chance to hear the ‘Dungarvan Christmas Community Concert’. Presented by Oliver Carroll, the concert features The Dungarvan Brass Band, Noel Galvin, Voice Over Choir, Cór Fear na nDéise, Harmony Children’s Choir and The Friary Choir singing all your favourite Christmas carols. From 5-7pm, Rick Whelan will keep you entertained with his Christmas Day ‘Here’s Ricky’ programme. At 7pm, Dymphna Nugent will bring you the ‘Little Stars Concert’ from St. John’s Church in Waterford city. The concert features over 300 kids from schools across Waterford city, including St John Of God N.S, St Ursula's Primary School, De La Salle College, St Mary's N.S, Waterpark N.S, and Presentation Secondary School. Michael Byrne will wrap up the day with three hours of more festive tunes from 9pm.
St. Stephen’s Day on WLR is packed full of great music, giveaways, and entertainment with another full schedule of programmes including John O’Shea’s annual music special, airing at 9am and featuring three hours of classic hits with the best festive songs, plus some Michael Buble tickets to be won.
DOCUMENTARIES
There’s a host of special programmes and documentaries airing on the WLR at 6pm from Monday Dec 26th through until Friday December 30th including ‘Dervla Murphy - Full Tilt Past Four Score’, the first of a six-part documentary will air on Monday December 26th from 6pm which tells the life story of Lismore Travel writer, Derval Murphy, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
On Tuesday December 27th at 6pm, WLR will air ‘Walshe’s of the Wine Islands’, a documentary about the life of Waterford man Bernard Walsh, who moved to Tenerife in the 17th Century. Hear the story of Bernard and his descendants, the life they lived and the influence they still have on an island thousands of miles from Waterford.
At 6pm on Wednesday December 28th hear 'The Model Village', a documentary by Jennifer Long charting the rise and fall of two major industries in the Co. Waterford town of Portlaw - the cotton factory in the 1800s and the Portlaw tannery more recently. The programme will show just how important this fastest-growing town in Co. Waterford is in terms of Ireland's industrial heritage with loads of contributors from Portlaw and much further afield.
‘Waterford's Friends’ tells the story of a small community, born out of civil war but dedicated to peace, who helped transform Waterford city and county. The Quakers helped bring the Industrial Revolution to Waterford and then helped bring life to a county facing famine. Waterford's Friends, a 2-part documentary by Mark Power will be broadcast on WLR at 6pm on Thursday and Friday, December 29th and 30th.
NEWS REVIEW
The WLR News and Current Affairs team will bring you the 2022 ‘Review of the Year’ from 10am-12 Midday ,Tuesday – Friday, December 27th-30th. The team will cover all the big news stories of the year.
NEW YEAR
John O’Shea will keep you entertained on New Year’s Eve with a party special from 10pm as we help you ring in 2023.
On New Year’s Day join Andy McCloskey and the WLR Street team at the annual New Year’s racing festival in Tramore with thanks to 'The Old Bank’ Dungarvan.
On Monday January 2nd at 11am, the documentary ‘Main Street’ looks at the development of the town of Tramore from a small fishing village in the 1800s up to living memory. Researched by historian and genealogist Marie-Clare Ridgard, this documentary looks at the lives and properties on main street and the greater Tramore area. It looks at the population (old censuses), emigration and big influences in Tramore's history including the Bartholomew Rivers, the railway and Tramore racecourse. Also, on Monday Jan 2nd, WLR will count down the best songs from the last 30 years. Tune in all day to hear your favourites.
Finally, stay tuned in January for the return of the ‘SunSational’ January Holiday Giveaways. Four holidays to be won to Costa Brava, Italy, The Algarve and Costa Del Sol with thanks to Harvey Travel, Cork Airport and WLR, Ireland’s local station of the year.
A jam-packed schedule from WLR to take you from Christmas right into 2023.
Listen on your radio, online, on the WLR app or on your smart speaker.
