Radio Kilkenny was awarded a licence in the post pirate era in 1989 but lost it in 2013 after their franchise was redrawn. They are back on air as Community Radio Kilkenny City.
On air as pirate station Kilkenny Community Radio before the 1988 shake-up, Radio Kilkenny was licensed to broadcast its wide range of programming
to Kilkenny city and county on 96.0MHz, 96.6MHz and 106.3MHz. The station featured local news, current affairs, sport, music, and much more.
The BCI rejigged the station's franchise area in 2003 to include Carlow. Radio Kilkenny applied for, but failed to secure, the licence under the
new terms. The station ceased broadcasting at 2.10am on January 1st 2004.
Temporary licence logo
Radio Kilkenny didn't give up. They decided to seek out a full-time community radio licence and operated for a run with a temporary licence to help
bridge thw gap. They eventually returned to air ion 2011 with a full licence and operating as Community Radio Kilkenny City.
Radio Kilkenny was/is very community oriented with a co-operative structure making it accessible to anyone in the local community.
The station is owned and operated by Kilkenny Community Communications Co-operative Society Limited. With almost 3,000 shareholders the various
interest groups in the county were well represented. Responsibility for running the affairs of Radio Kilkenny rests with the Committee of
Management - a body democratically elected by the shareholders at each year's AGM. This Committee employed a full-time professional staff
under the direction of a Chief Executive. Voluntary input was a core value of the organisation with a team of volunteers involved in programme
presentation, supply of information, etc.
Radio Kilkenny is the station with a smile – informing, entertaining and serving the people of Kilkenny city and county. Radio Kilkenny brightens
your day with a unique blend of music and chat. And the fact that 9 out of 10 radio listeners tune in every week bears testimony to its unique
local flavour you won’t find anywhere else.
The fact that is has repeatedly outflanked the National stations speaks volumes for its achievements. It provides its listeners with the best
professional radio service to meet the community needs with regard to local news, current affairs, sport, music, special interest groups,
public service and much more.
Radio Kilkenny is different. Its community base and co-operative structure make it accessible to all sectors of the local community. In fact,
the word ‘community’ features largely in the philosophy of Radio Kilkenny. Radio Kilkenny does not confine itself to churning out programmes from
its studio at Hebron Road, Kilkenny. Its state of the art Outside Broadcast Unit travels to very corner of the county to bring the service to the
people’s own areas.
Later logo
Radio Kilkenny is a radio [station] with courage. It addresses the important issues. It gives a platform to the people of the county. It rises in
the morning with its listeners with informed comment on traffic problems, weather expectations, news and uplifting music.
Radio Kilkenny caters for all forms of music and song. It is first with the latest hits. It’s nightly Hit Zone programme is compulsive listening
for all young people. The weekly Youth FM magazine programme provides a platform for young people – a launching pad for local pop groups and
budding DJs.
It is mindful of the need to promote the Irish language and culture. It is open house for all religious denominations and social cultures. It
provides a platform for people within the community who have disabilities. And of course in a county steeped in sporting tradition its sports
coverage reflects that tradition. Hurling star, DJ Carey is a regular pundit on its sporting programmes.
Radio Kilkenny also boasts a wide range of special interest programmes - agriculture, arts, music, youth, disability, education, travel, health,
religious affairs and much more.
Radio Kilkenny is owned and operated by Kilkenny Community Communications Co-operative Society Limited. It has almost 3,000 shareholders
representing the various interest groups in the county. Responsibility for running the affairs of Radio Kilkenny rests with the Committee of
Management - a body democratically elected by the shareholders every year at AGM. This Committee employs a full-time professional staff under the
direction of a Chief Executive. Voluntary input is a core value of the organisation with a team of volunteers involved in programme presentation,
supply of information, etc.
In order to maintain constant and close contact with the community, recommendations regarding policy are made to the Committee of Management by
various sub-committees.
How they saw themselves, from their website under the original full licence
Can you add to this entry?
Is there anything you can add to the information above, or do you know of a station not listed in the database?
Please send updates, from the seemingly trivial to full station histories, to this email address.
Images can also be sent to john@radiowavesfm.com.
