WLR, the leading local radio station for Waterford City & County, has been officially crowned as Ireland’s IMRO Local Station of the Year for 2024. The prestigious accolade was announced during an unforgettable awards ceremony held in Kilkenny on Friday night, celebrating the very best of Irish radio.
The award marks a major triumph for WLR, solidifying its position as Waterford’s and now Ireland’s best local station. The station has long been known for its dedication to quality, creativity, and community-focused content. This latest recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of its team, who consistently deliver news, entertainment, and thought-provoking discussions to listeners across the region.
“This award is an incredible honour,” said Michael Byrne, CEO of WLR. “It reflects the passion and dedication of our entire team who work tirelessly to provide Waterford listeners with top-tier content every single day. We’re deeply grateful to the IMRO judges for this recognition, and of course, to our listeners and commercial partners, who are at the heart of everything we do.”
In addition to taking home the coveted Local Station of the Year title, WLR celebrated several other outstanding achievements during the night, including individual awards that highlight the diversity of content the station offers.
WLR’s Award-Winning Programmes
One of the standout moments of the evening was when Aoibhin Fallon’s ‘Waterford In Action’ series was awarded Gold in the inaugural Sustainability category. This groundbreaking series, which delves into key environmental and community-driven sustainability initiatives across county Waterford. Fallon’s insightful and engaging coverage has shone a light on critical local efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices, establishing WLR as a thought leader on this important issue. This series was funded by CNAM with the television licence fee.
"I'm incredibly proud that Waterford In Action has been recognised in this new and vital category," said Aoibhin Fallon. "The series has been a passion project, highlighting local efforts to make a difference. This award validates the importance of giving voice to those who are leading the charge in environmental sustainability in Waterford."
Recognition for Health and Social Advocacy Programming
Another highlight for WLR came as Jordan Norris picked up a Bronze award for his programme, Men’s Health Matters. The series, which focuses on men’s physical and mental well-being, tackles often-overlooked topics related to male health, offering a platform for open and honest discussions. Norris’s compassionate and insightful approach to the subject resonated deeply with listeners.
“It’s so important that we continue to open up these conversations about men’s health,” Norris said. “To receive this recognition from IMRO is an incredible honour, and it only strengthens my commitment to helping break down stigmas and promote better health outcomes for men across Waterford and beyond.”
WLR News Recognised for Special Coverage
The station’s WLR News team also received well-deserved recognition for their exceptional work on the special broadcast commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Imelda Keenan’s Disappearance. This touching and poignant news programme, which revisited one of Waterford’s most enduring unsolved mysteries, provided a respectful and thorough reflection on the case while honouring the memory of Imelda Keenan.
"Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Imelda Keenan’s disappearance. The poignant broadcast not only shed light on one of Waterford's most enduring unsolved mysteries but also offered a respectful tribute to Imelda's memory." – Kieran Foley, WLR News.
Looking Forward
As WLR celebrates its success at the 2024 IMRO Awards, the station remains committed to pushing boundaries and continuing to provide listeners with content that informs, inspires, and entertains.
“These awards are a wonderful recognition of where we are right now as a station,” Michael Byrne added. “But we’re always looking forward. We’ll continue to innovate, to give a platform to the voices and stories that matter most to Waterford, and to deliver the high-quality radio our listeners have come to expect from WLR.”
WLR would like to thank all its loyal listeners, sponsors, partners, and the wider Waterford community for their ongoing support, which has been instrumental in achieving this prestigious recognition.
