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Here’s some info about Dundalk ‘s local Community Radio Station for you to digest.   2015 Dundalk FM Voices on Air January – June 20150110   We are a community owned and run radio station and as you can see the level of engagement from business, community groups and individuals is substantial. Dundalk FM is 10 years broadcasting full time this year. We wish to say a big thank you to all our voluntary community broadcasters for their drive, enthusiasm and the background research that brings you something entertaining and local when you turn on your radio. Interested in joining us? See our membership page for details.    

Expressing Yourself Through Media (FETAC Level 3 Media Expression 3N0792) €169 (€50 for Students, Social Welfare and Over 65’s) Course Description – Overview This course aims to empower and enthuse learners to express themselves through broadcast media, including a practical introduction to the use of radio as a medium for expression and the importance of active engagement with media. Learners will be able to: identify the various media outlets available to them and the barriers to media expression understand the various techniques and production approaches that are used by the media use recording and IT equipment for media expression work in teams to prepare and record a short radio programme explore how audiences are targeted and use media Course Content/Specific Outcomes: Learners will be able to : Identify a limited range of programme formats and production features Identify the audience segments targeted by familiar television or radio programmes to include differentiation by age and gender Describe alternative production elements, to include storyboards, programme running orders, voice-overs or presentation links, for familiar television or radio programmes Use a limited range of technical language appropriate to recording for radio or television production Use storyboards or programme running orders to describe short sequences or programme structures Prepare a short programme for radio or television, to include developing a production plan, identifying team members and roles, preparing storyboards or programme running orders and scripts. Use recording equipment correctly to make a short programme. Examine familiar television or radio programmes to include production methods and alternative ways of approaching their production Apply appropriate health, safety and personal hygiene procedures in television or radio production. Demonstrate the application of communications, team working and quality awareness in a television or radio production environment. Duration, Time & Venue of the Course: The course consists of 31 hours class contact time. The emphasis throughout is on practical skills for media expression, with participants producing a number of pieces that reflect their learning during class time. Start Date: Saturday 16 May for 3 Saturdays. 9.30am – 4.00pm Venue: Dundalk FM, Partnership Court Pre-Requisites: This course is open to anybody, no specific prior knowledge is required. It is particularly suited to community radio contributors, Transition year students, or members of community groups. It is also suited to those considering volunteering with Community Radio stations, those who wish to build their confidence in communicating, and those wishing to gain a basic understanding of how the media production process works. How is the Course Assessed? The course is assessed by Portfolio. This Portfolio, containing 5 pieces of work (as outlined in the assessment brief above) carried out during the course. Award: This course is a nationally accredited course leading to a QQI Level 3 Media Expression (Minor Award) on the National Framework of Qualifications. Course Progression: Following on from completion of the Level 3 in Media Expression learners may wish to complete the FETAC Level 4 in Community Radio and/or the Craol Short Course in Media Literacy. Details of Training Provider: The course is offered by CRAOL – The Community Radio Forum of Ireland and delivered locally by Community Radio Stations in your area. Craol is a quality assured training provider registered with FETAC. See www.craol.ie for details. Contact for more details: Alan Byrne Dundalk FM Partnership Court Park Street Dundalk Co Louth alanbyrne@dundalkfm.ie [podcast title=”Radio Course May 2015″]https://dundalkfm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Radio-Course-May015.mp3[/podcast]  

Listen to an interview with winner of the Voice of Ireland Brendan McCahey, who was in studio before Easter to play a few tunes from his new album ‘To where I begin’. Brendan sang ‘On and On’. and a cover of the Monkees’ I’m a Believer’. Brendan talks ‘making those connections’ and using the platform of winning The Voice. He talks about meeting John Cleese, recording with Don Mescal and writing with Grammy nominated song writer John Peppard. There is a special thank you to Derek Turner and Mark Dearey from the Spirit Store who have been supporting him for 20 years. Brendan is in the middle of writing songs for his new his new album which will be recorded in July and will be released in September. Brendan’s website is www.brendanmccahey.com [podcast title=”Brendan McCahey”]http://newwpsite.dundalkfm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Brendan-McCahey0150401.mp3[/podcast]           Brendan is a regular guest on Dundalk FM and here he is with Michael Duffy on the Town Talk show singing David Bowie’s ‘Sorrow’ in 2012.

  Liquitabs are sachets of concentrated detergent liquid used for washing clothes and dissolve in water so they are dangerous for children who are attracted by the combination bright colours and the smell. Patricia Casey, Manager of the National Poison Information Centre, Beaumont Hospital spoke to Caoimhe O’Malley about the dangers of liquid capsules and tablets which are usually picked up by curious one and two year olds. Recently, packaging has been changed so that you cannot see the capsules anymore. The press under the sink is where most people store their detergents but with small children it would be wise to move them to a high press. For more information log on to www.poisons.ie. For advice call 01 809 2166 anytime from 8am to 10pm each day. [podcast title=”Patricia Casey, National Poison Information Centre speaks about the dangers of Liqutabs for small children”]http://newwpsite.dundalkfm.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Patrica-Casey-National-Poisons-Information-Centre0140330.mp3[/podcast]  

Billy Lyons presents a show featuring harder styles of music, drum ‘n bass, hardcore, electro, acid trance – anything with a pounding bassline that should be played loud in a night club! 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday of the month at midnight.

Join Tom Gernon every Sunday at 2pm. Tom brings us Back to the Sixties with a run down of chart music from the 1960’s. Left to right, Bernard Gray, Philip Gray, Patrick Short and Tom Gernon .  

Barbara McClure presents a show featuring an eclectic mix of middle-of-the-road music covering all genres on the first Saturday at 9 pm.

When Jim Ryan joined us in 2003, he presented a classical music programme from half past 12 until one o clock on Sunday for the duration of the temporary Community Radio Station Dundalk Weekend Radio DWR107 FM. His son Stephen came in as his Sound Desk Operator selecting the CD track numbers. Jim would have spent hours listening to each track just to get the right sequence for his weekly playlist. Jim’s knowledge of classical music was immense. He introduced us to baritone, bass, mezzo-soprano, contralto, countertenor, arias, chorus and overtures. Jim often said that he would have liked to do a Jazz programme and that would have been quite something to tune in to. Jim’s daughter, Vanessa shortly afterwards followed her Dad’s footsteps into radio and presented a history programme called Time Detectives. Vanessa interviewed many local and national archaeology professors and experts and also stood in to present Classic Sounds on occasion. When the station received its full-time community radio service contract in September 2004, Jim presented a midday Current Affairs show. He kept the Classic Sounds programme on Sunday, moving it to one hour. During the ensuing years, myself and our Weekend Duty Staff who worked the sound desk for Jim got to chat with the listeners who rang in asking for a request. Sundays had a certain routine – Joe Martin presented Magic Moments from 10 am to 12 pm, followed by Jim Ryan and Classic Sounds from 12 pm to 1 pm, Joe Duffy followed at 1 pm with Showband Street, Tom Gernon at 2 pm with Back to the Sixties and Jimmy Neary (with his wife Marita taking the phone requests) with Shades of Green from 3 pm to 5 pm. In the recent past, Jim’s weekly show was curated and kept on air by Tony Moran. So, we’ll bid adieu, slán to our radio colleague Jim Ryan. Thank you for bringing your wealth of knowledge of Classical Music to the listeners and for your considerable contribution to the success of the Community Radio Service – Dundalk FM. Alan Byrne Manager Jim Ryan presents Classic Sounds every Sunday at 12.00 noon.  

Heart of the Matter is broadcast on Monday at 8.00 pm sponsored by the Dundalk Christian Counselling Centre with Stephen Murphy, Michael Emadi and Kevin Marley.    

 Click here to view a journal made out to  Jimmy Neary   The Shades of Green Radio Show was started on Dundalk FM by Jimmy Neary in 2005. Jimmy had been a radio enthusiast for most of his life and with that, an admiring fan of Country and Irish Music. When Dundalk FM provided Jimmy with the opportunity to host a radio show, he established Shades of Green, and has since enjoyed meeting and broadcasting to like minded people!     Tune in to the best in County and Irish on Monday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. You can visit Jimmy’s website which was designed by his son John at www.jimmyneary.net. This a fantastic site with photos of guests, playlists and Country and Irish links. Watch out for Jimmy’s Shades of Green Show on the Phil Mack County Show TV credits. Shades of Green wouldn’t be the same without Marita who keeps the show on the road! Message from Colin Harney Sincere thanks to Jimmy Neary today for inviting me onto his country show, SHADES OF GREEN for featuring a number of my songs and for the great craic we had on and off air. A very genuine, down to earth man and presenter who is willing to give local artists airplay. Also sincere thanks to Jimmys wife for the warm welcome and hospitality I received and to the Boss lol wee Eleanor (Jimmy’s grand daughter) a future country presenter in the making. Seeing behind the scenes today give me an opportunity to see the planning and work that goes into presenting a successful weekly show. Jimmy is a true professional and perfectionist and puts a lot of effort into ensuring his listeners are presented with great country music. Thanks again Jimmy and I look forward to us meeting up again. Colin 12/08/18