It was a night of glitz, glam and gongs as the 2026 IMRO awards unfolded in high style on Friday.
The annual event pays tribute to the best and the brightest on the airwaves, with gold, silver and bronze awards handed out across 42 categories.
Dermot Whelan stepped up to act as MC at the glitzy bash, which was hosted at Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny.
Paul Duffy, Ian Dempsey, Shauna O Reilly winners of Entertainment Inserts at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.
The awards saw Today FM take home gold for National Station of the Year.
Elsewhere, it was Spin 1038 that was crowned Music Station of the Year, while the award for Local Station of the Year went to Shannonside Northern Sound.
The evening also honoured the late Brenda Fricker, whose appearance on Brendan O’Connor’s show (RTÉ Radio 1) was chosen as the Radio Moment of the Year.
Marty Whelan and Sarah McInerney at the IMROs. Pic: RTÉ Radio 1 / Instagram
The night also saw four new radio hosts inducted into the Hall of Fame, including Marty Whelan (RTÉ Lyric FM).
The other inductees were: Michael Crawley (LMFM), Teena Gates (Bauer Media Ireland), and Helen Ní Shé (RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta).
Commenting on the night and the year in radio, Chris Doyle, Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards Committee, said: ‘Across the awards, we have seen bold ideas, brilliant storytelling and an extraordinary understanding of audiences.
Shane O’Loughlin, Michael Kearney, and Ella Carey, winners of General Music Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.
‘The IMRO awards recognise the voices we hear, but also the teams who creatively make great radio possible.
Congratulations to everyone recognised tonight. You have given Irish radio another year worth celebrating.’
See more photos below:
Leanne Hanifan, 98 FM, winner of Radio DJ of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026. Pic: Andres PovedaPeter Dunne winner of Breakfast Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 2 October 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.Niamh Daly winner of Community / Social Action at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 2 October 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.Stephen Higgins, Ronan Covney , Colm Ó Mongáin, Katie Hannon, John Cooke winners of Current Affairs Programme – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 2 October 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.Seamus Whelehan, Emer O‘Hea Neill Prendeville, Vivian McCarthy winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Local / Regional at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 2 October 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.Larry Deeney accepting the award on behalf of Stephen McCauley Show winner of Specialist Music Programme at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 2 October 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.Alan Torney, Tessa Delehanty, winners of Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Full Service at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 2 October 2026. Photo by Andres Poveda.Dean McLaughlin, Elaine McGee, Ashleigh Swan winners of News Programme – Local / Regional at the IMRO awards. Photo by Andres Poveda.
