Main photo: Benny O’Grady pictured with Paddy O’Brien (RTE).
Just over 33 years ago, Killaloe-Ballina RTÉ Community Radio aired from the Molua Centre in the Green, Killaloe from 6th – 11th April 1987.
The committee involved in this wonderful project were –
Michael Connolly, Killaloe (Chairman)
Ann McKeogh, Newtown, Killaloe (Secretary)
John Sheehy, Roundhill (M.C.C.)
Michael Miller, c/o AIB, Killaloe
Denis Floyd, Birdhill
Thomas Mills, Ballina
Benedict O’Grady, Ballina
Michael McNamara, Ogonnelloe
Pat McNamara, Main Street, Killaloe
Billy Shanahan, Boher
Pádraig Vaughan, O’Briensbridge
The Community Radio was broadcast in Killaloe and Ballina, and was also enjoyed in Birdhill, Boher, Bridgetown, Clonlara, Newport, Ogonnelloe, Portroe, Scariff and Tuamgraney.
Michael Connolly as Chairman introduced this Community Radio Week as an opportunity for local people to meet and “air” views and ideas on different Social, Educational and Cultural matters, with music, song and story, all presented and produced locally.
Michael goes on to say that he hopes “that this week of broadcasting will live on in memory for many years, and that all aspects will be enjoyed by you, the listeners”.
Antoinette Ryan came across cassettes that her mother Mary Ryan (nee Minogue) recorded during this Radio Week which includes most of the shows aired over the six days. Often, in the background, you can hear Mary pottering about in her kitchen. We would like to say a huge thank you to Antoinette for donating these cassettes to us!
We would also like to thank Pauline Quigley, Grange Road, Ballina for sending in these amazing photos, taken by her husband Michael in studio in 1987.
The Local History Society are so delighted that over 30 years later, we have the opportunity to share these shows with you and we hope, whether you are hearing them for the first time or you were tuned in in 1987, that you enjoy listening – click here!
If you have any queries or require any further information, do not hesitate to contact us by email: killaloeballinalhs@gmail.com
Killaloe-Ballina