IMRO Radio Hall of Fame

Former pirates on the first list include: Declan Meehan, Patricia Messinger, Dave Fanning, Ian Dempsey, Henry Condon, Tony Fenton, Paul Claffey, Ronan O'Rahilly, Gerry Ryan, Joe King, Paul Byrne and Ronan Collins. I suspect there are a few more on that list. At least three of this year's inductees started on pirate radio: Ray Darcy, Carol Dooley and Eddie Caffrey.

And Chris Cary and Robbie Robinsons contribution to Irish radio still ignored…

Who would that be???

Well that comment, if genuine, would put an end to your previously expressed aspiration to be a mod for the radio forum 😁

If you really don't know who they are, give it a google and prepare to be amazed. They should be recognised for their contributions to European radio, in addition to Irish radio.

Where does one start?? Robbie Robinson and Chris Cary, aka Spangles Muldoon, hastened in the super pirates era with Dublin pirates Sunshine Radio (later renamed to Sunshine 101) and Radio Nova, respectively, and had a major impact on the radio landscape. Chris was also responsible for sister stations Kiss FM and Magic 103, as well as another super pirate Energy 103. They brought in professionalism to pirate radio, as well as some other English voices. The presence of Sunshine and Nova inspired other pirates around the country, as well as another major Dublin pirate Q102. Many people involved with Sunshine, Nova, Energy 103 and Q102 went on to success in licensed radio, including RTE. More Google for you there - trust me it is a very big list! As regards the "brown bread" comment, if you look at the list of recipients, some of them have already passed away such as Gerry Ryan and Tony Fenton.

Further to the info provided by Declan :

I would also wish to add and not forget their pioneering offshore pirate radio contributions with Radio Caroline (both) and Radio North Sea International (Cary).

Ronan O'Rahilly was inducted into the HOF as the founder of Caroline, but he was never in executive control of the station output. Chris and Robbie were far more influential on board the ships in terms of management of personnel and programming output.

Robbie also famously stayed on board the Mi Amigo with Johnnie Walker to keep Caroline on air after the midnight closedown deadline (Aug 14th 1967) specified by the Marine Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967

Chris was also an early adopter of technology and introduced equipment and systems to his stations that have since become industry standard. He was also one of the first people to broadcast a radio service via satellite.

Many of the people who worked with and for them, or were influenced by them, are now major players in media - radio, TV and print, here in Ireland and all around the world.

They are quite simply the actual definition of broadcasting giants.

They should be updated imo. It wouldn't be a lot of work.

Don't be blaming me again.

Declan, regarding others on the list that were involved with pirate radio, 2 more would be:

The late Billy McCarthy, in a former life was Fr. Billy McCarthy and presented a religious themed show on the pirate WLR in Waterford. It seems he left the priesthood in the time after the 1988 closure of the pirate WLR and appearing on the licenced WLR

Des Whelan was also the boss of the pirate WLR and had a show on it according to the internet (the station was actually founded by his brother DJ Rick Whelan - who controversially disappeared from the current WLR some months ago - he had been on at weekends).

there would be more info here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/362188140541415/

SOP for hall of fame

Someone from RTE - check

Someone from radio management who never so much as put on a pair of headphone lest complained about the price - check

Someone who has a national profile to be sure of getting some press coverage for the event - check

Token local radio presenter who has done the same gig for 40 years - check

That is what you have every single year! 1 weekend gig on lyric got George Hamilton in and some guest spots got Brian D'arcy in. But yeh, RADIO HALL OF FAME!!!!