A Listener’s Guide to the Airwaves

Ireland has a radio problem. Not a bad one. The opposite. There is too much choice. Turn on the dial in any Irish city or town and you will find more stations than you can reasonably listen to in a day. National talk. Local music. Community voices. Digital-only services. Sports. News. Nostalgia. Something for every mood and every moment.

The latest figures from the Joint National Listenership Research survey paint a picture of a country that still loves radio. Almost 3.5 million adults listen to radio every weekday. That is 78 percent of the adult population . They tune in for an average of more than three hours a day. Radio reaches 80 percent of main shoppers and 76 percent of ABC1 adults .

But which stations are actually worth your time? That depends on what you want. Some people want to know what is happening in the world. Some want to hear a familiar voice while they drive. Some just want good music without too much talking.

This guide covers the ten stations that matter most in Ireland right now. It is not a ranking based on ratings alone. It is a practical look at what each station offers, who it serves, and why you might choose it.

1. RTÉ Radio 1: The National Conversation

Website: rte.ie/radio/radio1

RTÉ Radio 1 is the most listened-to radio station in Ireland. That is not opinion. The numbers prove it. The station reaches 1.354 million listeners each week . It holds 16 of the top 20 radio programmes in the country and all of the top 10 . Its market share stands at 28.2 percent .

The station’s flagship programme is Morning Ireland. It airs from 7am to 9am and reaches 457,000 listeners every weekday . That makes it the most listened-to radio programme in Ireland. The show covers news, current affairs, sport, and weather. It is the programme that sets the agenda for the day.

Other key shows include Today with David McCullagh from 9am to 11am (422,000 listeners), Oliver Callan from 11am to 1pm (285,000 listeners), and News at One with 273,000 listeners . Liveline, now presented by Kieran Cuddihy, has 254,000 listeners .

Weekend programming is strong. Brendan O’Connor attracts 400,000 listeners on Saturday and 399,000 on Sunday . The Business has 342,000 listeners on Saturday mornings .

Radio 1 is not for everyone. It is talk-heavy. It takes news seriously. It assumes you want to understand what is happening, not just hear about it in passing. But for anyone who wants to stay informed about Ireland and the world, it is essential listening.

2. Today FM: Ireland’s Biggest Commercial Station

Website: todayfm.com

Today FM is Ireland’s most listened-to commercial radio station. It reaches 974,000 listeners each week and 524,000 every day . Its market share reached 10 percent in the latest figures, the first time it has hit that level in more than a decade .

The station has been on a strong run. The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show has 240,000 listeners, making it the most listened-to show on commercial radio . Dave Moore in mid-morning has 211,000 listeners . The Last Word with Matt Cooper, which airs in the evening drive slot, has 195,000 listeners . Ray Foley in the afternoon has 179,000 listeners .

Today FM mixes music with talk. The playlist covers current hits and familiar favourites. The talk segments cover news, entertainment, and human interest. It is a station that wants to feel like a friend, not a lecturer.

The station won the IMRO National Station of the Year award . That recognition reflects its broad appeal and professional output. For listeners who want a mix of music and conversation without the heavier news focus of Radio 1, Today FM is a strong choice.

3. Newstalk: Conversation That Counts

Website: newstalk.com

Newstalk is Ireland’s second national commercial talk station. It reaches 855,000 listeners weekly and 484,000 daily . Its market share is 7.8 percent .

The station underwent a major schedule revamp in February 2026. The changes have paid off. Newstalk Breakfast with Anton Savage increased by 10,000 listeners to 168,000 . The Claire Byrne Show grew to 210,000 . The Hard Shoulder with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman has 153,000 listeners . Moncrieff with Seán Moncrieff has 105,000 .

Weekend programming is a strength. The Pat Kenny Show on Saturday has 167,000 listeners, the most listened-to weekend show in the station’s history . The Sunday edition has 122,000 . Off The Ball on Saturday has 147,000 listeners .

Newstalk positions itself as a station for people who want to understand the news, not just hear it. It covers politics, business, technology, and culture. The tone is serious but not dry. If Radio 1 feels too formal and Today FM feels too light, Newstalk sits in the middle.

4. RTÉ 2FM: Music for a Younger Ireland

Website: rte.ie/radio/2fm

RTÉ 2FM has had a difficult few years. Presenters have come and gone. Ratings have fluctuated. But the latest figures show signs of a turnaround.

2FM now reaches 325,000 adults on an average weekday, up 13,000 . Its share among 15 to 34 year olds is 9.4 percent . That is a key demographic for advertisers and for the station’s future.

2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz and Aisling is now the number one programme in Ireland for 15 to 34 year olds . It has 175,000 listeners . 2FM Drive with Laura and Katja has 127,000 listeners . Weekend programming performs well, with 8 of the top 20 programmes for younger listeners coming from 2FM’s weekend schedule .

The station plays new music and Irish music. It has a commitment to breaking new artists. The New Music Show with Beta Da Silva is the only new music show in primetime on Irish radio .

2FM is not trying to compete with Radio 1 for the same audience. It is trying to serve younger listeners who want music, entertainment, and a bit of chat. If you are under 40 and want to hear what is new in Irish music, 2FM is worth a listen.

5. Cork’s Red FM: The Voice of the Rebel County

Website: redfm.ie

Cork’s Red FM is the most listened-to station in Cork. Its market share is 21.2 percent, up 2.3 points on the previous survey . That makes it not just the leading station in Cork but one of the strongest local stations anywhere in Ireland.

Red FM launched in 2002 as Ireland’s first youth radio licence . It targeted 15 to 35 year olds. Over two decades later, it still serves a younger audience than many of its competitors. But the audience has grown with the station.

The station is now owned by Bauer Media Audio, which also owns Today FM and Newstalk . That ownership gives it access to national resources while keeping its Cork identity.

Red FM plays contemporary hit music. Its news covers Cork city and county. Its presenters are known locally. For anyone in Cork who wants a station that sounds like it belongs to Cork, Red FM is the obvious choice.

6. Cork’s 96FM: The Established Local Voice

Website: 96fm.ie

Cork’s 96FM has been broadcasting for decades. It is part of the Wireless Group, which also owns C103 . Its prime-time market share in Cork is 16.3 percent .

96FM is a broad-appeal station. It mixes music with talk. Its Opinion Line programme is a Cork institution, the kind of show where people ring in to argue about local issues. It covers news, sport, and community events in Cork.

The station is not as youth-focused as Red FM. It serves a wider age range. Its playlist includes familiar hits from across the decades. Its presenters are experienced and known in Cork.

For listeners who want a Cork station with a bit more talk and a broader music mix, 96FM is a strong alternative to Red FM.

7. Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio: The Home of the 80s and 90s

Website: classichits.ie

Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has been broadcasting for 17 years. It has just recorded its highest ever market share and daily listenership. Its prime-time market share in the multi-city area is 7.2 percent. Its daily reach is 211,000 .

The multi-city area covers 2.3 million people in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Clare . The station has also extended its broadcast area to an additional 1.2 million people through the Fáilte DAB trial .

The station plays music from the 1980s and 1990s. Its daytime shows, including Trina Mara at Work and Damien Farrelly in the Afternoon, have seen strong growth .

For listeners who grew up in the 80s and 90s, or who just like the music from those decades, Classic Hits offers a consistent diet of familiar songs. It is not trying to be edgy or new. It is trying to be enjoyable.

8. SPIN 1038: Dublin’s Music Station

Website: spin1038.com

SPIN 1038 is Dublin’s number one music station. It reaches 253,000 listeners weekly . It is part of the Bauer Media Audio group.

The station targets a younger Dublin audience. It plays contemporary hit music. It has a strong social media presence and engages with listeners through competitions and interactive segments.

SPIN 1038 is not available nationwide on FM. It broadcasts to Dublin and surrounding areas. But it can be listened to online. For Dublin listeners who want a music-focused station without much talk, SPIN is a strong choice.

9. iRadio: Music for the Regions

Website: iradio.ie

iRadio broadcasts to 15 counties across Ireland. It reaches 336,000 weekly listeners . It is part of the Bauer Media Audio group.

The station serves the regions outside Dublin and Cork. It plays contemporary music and covers local news and events. Its presenters are known in the areas it serves.

iRadio fills a gap. It is not a national station in the way Today FM is. It is not a single-city station either. It serves a broad swathe of the country that might otherwise be overlooked by the bigger players. For listeners in the midlands, west, and northwest, iRadio offers a local voice with a national music format.

10. RTÉ lyric fm: Classical, Jazz, and the Arts

Website: rte.ie/radio/lyricfm

RTÉ lyric fm is Ireland’s classical music station. It reaches 358,000 listeners each week and has a market share of 3.5 percent .

The station’s top show is Marty in the Morning, which has 85,000 listeners . The station covers classical music, jazz, opera, and the arts. It also has programmes dedicated to film music, world music, and Irish traditional music.

Lyric fm is not for everyone. It assumes an interest in classical music or the arts. But for listeners who want something different from the pop and talk that dominates the rest of the dial, lyric fm offers a calm, considered alternative.

How to Choose

Ten stations. Ten different approaches. How do you decide?

If you want news and current affairs, start with RTÉ Radio 1. It has the resources and the audience to cover stories properly.

If you want a mix of music and chat, Today FM is the biggest and most polished commercial option.

If you want serious talk without the RTÉ feel, Newstalk is the natural alternative.

If you are in Cork, Red FM and 96FM are the two stations that matter most. Red FM for music and younger energy. 96FM for a broader mix.

If you want nostalgia, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio delivers the 80s and 90s.

If you want classical music, lyric fm is the only national option.

And if you are in Dublin, SPIN 1038 offers a music-focused alternative to the talk-heavy stations.

The Bigger Picture

Irish radio is in good health. The audience figures prove that. Almost 78 percent of adults listen every weekday. Local radio reaches 2.3 million adults . Radio is not dying. It is adapting.

The ownership landscape has changed. Bauer Media Audio now claims a prime-time market share of 29.46 percent, slightly ahead of RTÉ’s 28.2 percent . That is a significant shift. For decades, RTÉ dominated Irish radio. Now it has a genuine competitor.

But for listeners, competition is good. It means more choice, more investment in programming, and more effort to keep audiences engaged.

The stations that will survive and thrive are the ones that understand their audiences. Radio 1 understands people who want to be informed. Today FM understands people who want to be entertained. Red FM understands Cork. lyric fm understands classical music lovers. There is room for all of them.

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