The Complete 2026 Guide to Listening in the Capital

Dublin is the radio capital of Ireland. With over a dozen stations broadcasting across FM, DAB, and online, listeners in the capital have more choice than anywhere else in the country. From the long-running breakfast battles to the rise of digital-only stations, there is always something happening on Dublin’s airwaves.

This guide covers every Dublin radio station you need to know. We look at the national players broadcasting from the city, the local commercial stations fighting for market share, and the community voices that serve specific parts of the capital.

Whether you live in Dublin or just want to stream the city’s stations from anywhere, this is your full list.

The Dublin Radio Landscape in 2026

Dublin is a unique radio market. National stations like RTÉ Radio 1, Today FM, and Newstalk are based in the city and draw huge audiences here. But local Dublin stations hold their own, especially among younger listeners.

The latest JNLR figures show something interesting. Among 15 to 34 year olds in Dublin, local and regional radio holds a 72.6% share of listening minutes . That is the strongest position for local radio among young people anywhere in Ireland. Dubliners love their local stations.

National radio still holds the overall majority in Dublin with 53.3% of total listening . But the local stations are not far behind, and in music radio they are winning.

Dublin’s Local Commercial Stations

These are the stations that target Dublin specifically. They broadcast from the city, they talk about the city, and they compete hard for Dublin ears.

FM104

FM104 is one of Dublin’s biggest commercial stations. It broadcasts on 104.4 FM from Three Rock Mountain and Kippure Mountain . The station plays contemporary hits and targets a younger adult audience.

FM104 reaches 261,000 listeners every week in Dublin . Its prime time market share sits at 7.1% . For decades, FM104’s Strawberry Alarm Clock breakfast show ruled the Dublin morning airwaves. That changed in 2026.

Radio Nova

Radio Nova has become the new king of Dublin breakfast radio. Broadcasting on 100.3 FM, the station plays classic rock and popular guitar music. Its roots trace back to the pirate stations of the 1980s.

In early 2026, Morning Glory with PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe overtook FM104’s long-running breakfast show . This ended a near 30-year run for FM104 at the top. Radio Nova’s breakfast show now has 92,000 listeners in Dublin and the commuter belt .

Radio Nova reaches 278,000 listeners weekly in Dublin and the surrounding area . The station also holds the number one position among music radio stations in Dublin, with almost 30% more listening share than FM104 .

Sunshine 106.8

Sunshine 106.8 is Dublin’s easy listening station. It plays soft hits and relaxed music for an older audience. According to recent figures, Sunshine holds a 9.7% market share in Dublin, making it the number one music station by share .

Sunshine is owned by Bay Broadcasting, which also operates Radio Nova and Classic Hits Radio .

Classic Hits Radio

Classic Hits Radio plays music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It has grown fast in Dublin. Its market share jumped by almost 50% in the last year to reach 4.4% . That puts it just 0.3% behind Q102 and 0.5% behind Today FM in the capital .

98FM

98FM broadcasts on 98.0 FM and is owned by Bauer Media Audio Ireland . The station plays a mix of adult hits, music, and speech. It targets Dublin listeners who want music alongside local information and chat.

SPIN 1038

SPIN 1038 is Dublin’s youth station. Broadcasting on 103.8 FM, it plays Top 40 hits with dance elements . The station targets listeners in their teens and twenties with music, entertainment, and lifestyle content. It is also owned by Bauer Media Audio Ireland .

Q102

Q102 broadcasts on 102.2 FM and plays classic hits and adult contemporary music . The station reaches 166,000 listeners weekly in Dublin . Its prime time market share is 4.7% . Q102 is part of the Onic group, which also owns FM104 .

The Battle for Dublin Listeners

The competition between Dublin’s commercial stations is fierce. Three main groups control most of the local commercial radio in the capital.

Bay Broadcasting operates Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio, and Sunshine 106.8. Together, these three stations hold a 23% market share of all radio listening in Dublin . That puts them well ahead of their rivals.

Onic (formerly Wireless Group) operates FM104 and Q102. Together they hold an 11.8% market share . Onic also owns Cork’s 96FM, C103, Live 95 in Limerick, and LMFM .

Bauer Media Audio Ireland owns 98FM, SPIN 1038, and the national stations Today FM and Newstalk. In Dublin music radio, Bauer’s local stations hold a combined 16% share .

The numbers show Bay Broadcasting is winning the music radio battle in Dublin. Radio Nova’s breakfast victory over FM104 was a major moment. It signals that Dublin listeners are open to change.

National Stations Broadcasting from Dublin

Several national stations are based in Dublin and draw large audiences in the capital. These are not Dublin-specific stations, but they are part of the city’s radio scene.

RTÉ Radio 1

RTÉ Radio 1 is the most listened-to station in Ireland. It broadcasts news, current affairs, and speech programming. In Dublin, national radio holds the majority share among older listeners. RTÉ Radio 1 is based at RTÉ’s headquarters in Donnybrook.

RTÉ 2FM

RTÉ 2FM plays popular music and entertainment for younger audiences. It competes directly with FM104, SPIN 1038, and other youth-focused stations.

Today FM

Today FM is the most listened-to commercial station in Ireland. It reaches 974,000 listeners weekly nationwide. The station is based in Dublin 2 . Its breakfast show with Ian Dempsey and drive time show with Matt Cooper both hit record highs in 2026 .

Newstalk

Newstalk is Ireland’s main commercial talk radio station. It broadcasts news, opinion, and discussion. The station is also based in Dublin and is owned by Bauer Media .

Dublin Community Radio Stations

Community radio serves specific areas of Dublin. These stations are run by volunteers and focus on local voices, local issues, and local music. They are a vital part of Dublin’s media landscape.

Dublin City FM

Dublin City FM broadcasts on 103.2 FM. It serves the whole city with a mix of talk, music, and community programming .

Dublin South FM

Dublin South FM broadcasts on 93.9 FM and serves the South Dublin area .

Near FM

Near FM serves Northeast Dublin on 90.3 FM . The station covers local news, community issues, and specialist music.

Phoenix FM

Phoenix FM broadcasts on 92.5 FM to the Dublin 15 area, covering Blanchardstown and surrounding communities . The station provides a voice for Dublin 15 with talk programmes on arts, sports, news, current affairs, local history, and religious topics . It also supports emerging local bands and theatre groups .

Phoenix FM is a registered charity and operates as a not-for-profit station built by volunteers . It is funded by local business sponsorship, grants, and community fundraising .

Liffey Sound FM

Liffey Sound FM broadcasts on 96.4 FM to Lucan and West Dublin . The station has been run entirely by volunteers since 2006 . Its studios are in Lucan .

Liffey Sound produces programmes and documentaries for all tastes, young and old . You can listen live on their website Monday to Friday from 3pm to 11pm, and weekends from 8am to 10pm .

Raidió na Life

Raidió na Life broadcasts on 106.4 FM in Irish . It serves the Irish language community in Dublin with music, talk, and cultural programming.

Dublin Digital Radio

Dublin has a growing number of digital-only stations. These broadcast online and on DAB+.

Dublin Digital Radio (DDR)

Dublin Digital Radio is an online station that supports independent music, arts, and culture. It gives a platform to voices and sounds you will not hear on mainstream radio .

Onic Digital Stations

Onic has launched ten digital stations on DAB+ in the Leinster area, covering Dublin and surrounding counties . These include:

• Onic Alternative – indie rock, post-punk, and electronic music 
• Onic 80s – music from the 1980s
• Onic Hits – contemporary hits
• Onic Oldies – classic tracks
• Onic Country – country music
• Onic Rock – rock music
• Onic Pride – music for the LGBTQ+ community
• Onic Kids – programmes for children

The DAB+ service reaches about 2.8 million people in Dublin and the commuter regions .

Nova Xtra

Radio Nova’s sister station Nova Xtra focuses on chilled classic rock . It plays the more melodic end of the guitar-based music featured on Radio Nova .

Classic Hits 80s

Classic Hits 80s is a digital spin-off from Classic Hits Radio. It plays non-stop music from the 1980s .

8Radio

8Radio is an alternative music station available on DAB+ in Dublin . It plays indie and alternative tracks for listeners who want something different.

How to Listen to Dublin Radio

You have several ways to listen to Dublin radio stations.

FM Radio – Most Dublin stations broadcast on FM. You can tune in with any standard radio. FM works well for local listening in Dublin and the surrounding counties.

DAB+ Digital Radio – The FáilteDAB trial brought twenty radio services to Dublin and the Leinster area . DAB+ gives you clearer sound and more station choice. Many new cars in Ireland come with DAB radios already installed .

Online Streaming – Every Dublin station streams online. You can listen on your phone, laptop, or smart speaker from anywhere in the world. At EasyRadio.ie, we list all Dublin stations in one place.

Station Apps – Most major Dublin stations have their own apps. These let you listen live, catch up on podcasts, and see what is playing.

The Future of Dublin Radio

Dublin radio is changing. DAB+ is bringing more stations to more listeners. The FáilteDAB trial showed there is demand for digital radio in Ireland . With DAB already in many cars, the switch to digital is becoming easier .

Online streaming is also growing. Dubliners living abroad can now listen to their favourite local stations as easily as if they were at home. Community stations like Phoenix FM and Liffey Sound FM stream online, giving their volunteers a global audience.

The competition between commercial stations remains strong. Radio Nova’s rise shows that listeners will switch when a station gives them something they want. The breakfast battle between Radio Nova and FM104 is one to watch in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular radio station in Dublin?
Radio Nova is the number one music station in Dublin with a 8.9% market share. Sunshine 106.8 leads with 9.7% among music stations .

What is the best breakfast show in Dublin?
Radio Nova’s Morning Glory with PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe is the most listened-to breakfast show in Dublin, with 92,000 listeners .

What Dublin radio stations play music?
FM104, Radio Nova, Sunshine 106.8, Classic Hits Radio, 98FM, SPIN 1038, and Q102 all play music. Each targets a different audience and music style.

What are the community radio stations in Dublin?
Dublin’s community stations include Dublin City FM, Dublin South FM, Near FM, Phoenix FM (Dublin 15), Liffey Sound FM (Lucan), and Raidió na Life (Irish language) .

Can I listen to Dublin radio online?
Yes. Every Dublin station streams online. EasyRadio.ie lists all Dublin stations in one place for easy listening.

What is DAB radio in Dublin?
DAB+ is digital radio. The FáilteDAB trial brought twenty stations to Dublin and Leinster, including Onic’s ten digital services and Radio Nova’s Nova Xtra .

What is the most listened-to station in Dublin overall?
National stations like RTÉ Radio 1 and Today FM hold the largest overall audiences in Dublin. Among local Dublin stations, Radio Nova is the leading music station.

How many radio stations are in Dublin?
Dublin has over a dozen FM stations plus community stations and a growing number of DAB+ and online-only services.