Tipperary Mid-West Community Radio

Tipperary Mid-West Community Radio is a non-profit radio station which broadcasts from St. Michael's Street, Tipperary Town, Ireland. It broadcasts on the frequency 104.8fm and can be heard in parts of 6 counties in Ireland namely; Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, and Carlow.

The station originally started life as a pirate station (Tipperary Community Radio - TCR), after which it gained a commercial license running under the name Tipperary Mid-west Radio (Tipp-mid west radio, for short). In 2003 the radio was almost shut down when a clause was introduced that there could be only one commercial radio license in Co. Tipperary, Clonmel's Tipp Fm gaining favourship for the license. After a series of debates and protests including a petition signed by many listeners to Tipp Mid-west, the station was given a community radio (non-profit license).

The station now broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The programmes include music, chat, European affairs, current affairs, Musician specials etc. Many of the programmes on the station have a Country and Irish flavour, that being the favourite music genre of many of the stations listeners. Other popular programmes include Seán Buckley's "Morning Call" current affairs programme and Mary Behan's "Lunchtime Show" including the ever popular daily brainteaser.

The station is under the management of Anne Power, with Michael Maguire as the chairman. Advertising is organised my Breda Ryan (also a popular presenter). Other areas of programming include David Condon's "Classical Jukebox", Seamus Egan's "Cutting Edge" and Eddie Glasheen's "Grand Old Operey Live" to name but a few of the other genres of programmes on the station.

The station comprises mainly on volunteer staff (well over 30 in all) with most of the evening and virtually all of the weekend programmes being presented by voluntary staff.

On Wednesday night, August the 8th 2007 the station held a charity show in aid of two very worthwhile charities. The show was held in the Marion Hall in Tipperary town (just up the street from the station itself). The show comprised of a variety of highly entertaining acts. Bass-Baritone Derek Ryan was outstanding as he sang songs such as "The Town I Loved So Well" and "Oh What A Beautiful Morning". Also highly entertaining was presenters Breda Ryan and Mairead Horan's two-scene sketch of two middle-aged women chatting on Tipperary town which included many humorous and tongue-in-cheek moments (often at the expense of well-known Tipperary business people!). The highlight of the night, although, was "Drivetime" presenter John Moloney. John dressed up as Shirley Bassey and mimed the hit-songs "Hey Big Spender" and "Kiss Me Honey Honey" much to the delight of the audience. Other enjoyable acts included dancing by a mixture of volunteers and a very amusing act in the light of GAA and sport by Stevie O'Donnell and company. Overall the show was highly enjoyable and successful as the station raised over €5000 euro for its chosen charities.

External links

* [http://www.tippmidwestradio.com/website/index.asp Tipperary Mid West Radio website]