WLR FM has been honoured with the Local Station of the Year award at the 2022 IMRO National Radio Awards - the fourth time in succession the station has won the coveted prize.
Champagne corks were popping on Friday evening as the news filtered through of the huge achievement for WLR FM, judged top of local stations across 32 counties.
Presented by Dermot Whelan, the IMRO Radio Awards ceremony took place in Kilkenny where many of Ireland's well known radio presenters, producers, programme staff attended.
WLR FM first won the award in 2009 and again in 2012 but the current run of four in a row from 2019 to 2022, is a record-breaking achievement for the industry.
Michael Byrne, WLR FM Programme Director, said: "For WLR FM to be named Local Station of the Year for the fourth year in a row amidst wide competition is an honour. The win is for all staff who everyday make WLR the station it is. There’s no luck in winning these awards, it really is down to the quality of the output and the team that make WLR the best station in the country. The station has been consistently strong all through Covid so to win it for the fourth time in succession is just fantastic”
Repro Free: 07/10/2022 WLR FM winners of Local Station of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2022 held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Friday 7th October 2022. Picture Andres Poveda
Des Whelan, WLR FM Managing Director said the WLR win was an award for everyone involved in the radio station.
"I am delighted that WLR was chosen as number one out of all the local stations in the country and particularly as this award is judged by our peers in the radio sector," he said. "This success also shows the commitment of our talented team, who produce the best radio in Ireland daily for our listeners in Waterford. We’re all absolutely delighted.”
In addition to being named Local Station of the Year, WLR also won GOLD for
1. Short Feature – Big Breakfast Little Stories – Karen Tomkins
2. Specialist Speech Programme – Deise Today Climate Change Special -Jennifer and Damien
3. Irish Music Initiative – Irish Music Month – WLR & IBI STATIONS
SILVER for
1. Sports Broadcaster of the Year – Kieran O’Connor
2. Speech Broadcaster of the Year – Damien Tiernan
The forty-one category awards spanning music, speech, news, programmes, and personalities are designed to recognise those involved in radio in Ireland on-air and behind the scenes. The awards were presented by Dermot Whelan and other winners on the night include BBC Radio Ulster, Today FM, RTE Radio and Newstalk.
WLR would like to dedicate the award to their 70,000 loyal listeners in Waterford.
