About Us
About Dundalk FM
Dundalk FM is an independent not-for-profit community radio station broadcasting from Dundalk town. Since September 2004, we have served listeners in Dundalk and the surrounding area with programming created by local people for the local community. We broadcast on 97.7 FM and stream online, keeping Dundalk connected at home and abroad. Every day you will hear what is happening in town – many voices, local stories, locally relevant.
Our Story
Dundalk FM was founded on the belief that local community groups deserve their own independent radio voice. After 2 years of work by volunteers and community advocates, we launched a full time radio service 2004 with a 5 year licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. From the beginning, our purpose has been to reflect the life, culture and concerns of Dundalk and the surrounding area.
Since then, our growing team of community radio presenters have covered community campaigns, live commentary from sporting events, cultural and music festivals, local elections and everyday stories that give us a sense of belonging to the town.
Our Mission
Dundalk FM is a not-for-profit, independent, friendly community development organisation giving voice to all in Dundalk and the surrounding area. We are committed to educating, entertaining and informing through our wide range of programmes.
Our Vision
People who listen to Dundalk FM will hear programmes containing something of local interest. They will find the members of the station accessible and approachable. They will hear a laid back, ordinary person presentation style and have access to local news, sport and information as well as specialist music shows. Dundalk FM is your station, your voice and your community on air.
Our Values
- Equality - everyone has a right to access training and programming at Dundalk FM.
- Creative - we support the exchange of ideas and act as a force for cultural and community development across Dundalk and County Louth.
- Good Quality - well produced, interesting, local content is at the heart of everything we broadcast.
- Inclusive - we welcome participation from new and established communities across the region.
- Grassroots - our volunteers are recruited from the Dundalk community and reflect the real diversity of the area.
- Inform - we report on local environmental, economic and social issues and on the activities, events and news of the groups and organisations in our listening area.
- Encourage Learning - we train participants in broadcasting in a supportive atmosphere where no prior experience is needed.
- Evolve - we welcome new ideas and keep moving forward as a station and as a community.
- Community - we connect with the Dundalk community, at home and abroad.
- Sustainable - we maintain a diverse source of income to keep the station running and growing for the people of Dundalk and County Louth.
- Diversity - we provide an interesting variety of shows for all groups and all tastes.
- Entertain - we celebrate the music, sport, heritage and culture of Dundalk.
- Central Hub - we provide a forum open to all residents to discuss public issues and share local stories.
- Development - we identify and meet the changing needs of our community as Dundalk and County Louth grow and evolve.
What is Community Radio
A community broadcasting licence is granted to a not-for-profit organisation owned by its members, who represent the local community. It cannot be sold. Under the Broadcasting Act 2009, community radio stations are defined as groups whose members are representative of, and accountable to, their community, and who seek to provide a social benefit through the supply of programming to that community on a not-for-profit basis.
Dundalk FM has been broadcasting for over 21 years, holding a community radio broadcast licence awarded by Coimisiún na Meán. Our weekly schedule contains 45% speech and 55% music. Our geographical broadcast area covers Dundalk town and a five mile radius. We are a proud member of CRAOL, the network of all community radio stations in Ireland.
