Westport Community Radio’s future at risk

Westport Community Radio’s future at risk


Joan Geraghty

Westport Community Radio is in danger of folding unless they get urgent sponsorship and support from the local business community, according to station manager and founder Stephen O’Brien.
Mr O’Brien, along with a team of volunteers, have been keeping WRFM going for over two years now, with a wide variety of news, entertainment, music, political, business, sport, arts and culture and talk show programmes, all of which are enjoying growing audiences. Additionally, the station offers training to media students on an ongoing basis. Unfortunately, running and overhead costs for WRFM, based in the Courtyard at the James Street car-park, are not being met by ongoing fundraising activities, putting the future of the station in doubt.
“What we need is sponsorship from businesses for our programmes. For the price of just €50, WRFM can offer businesses three voice ads per show - which can rise to six voice ads if the show is repeated again on Sunday,” said Stephen O’Brien, pointing out that a number of the shows enjoy great popularity in Westport as well as on-line and what a pity it would be for the station to founder at this early stage in its development.
“The news show with Liamy McNally from 10am - 1pm is broadcast on both Saturdays and Sundays and includes some great interviews and guests. Covies Corner with Martin Curry and friends is another big draw, as is Mel’s Music Mix with Melissa Cawley and the Girls Talk panel show, as well as the Arts Show with GrΡinne O’Reilly, the politics show and all the rest.
“There is so much talent and great interest out there in what is being discussed about Westport by Westport people. The station gets 3000 hits a month from on-line listeners also and the word on the street is that WRFM is an important asset for the town and people look forward to tuning in over the 32 hours of broadcasting every Saturday and Sunday,” said Stephen O’Brien.
Other popular presenters on WRFM include Paddy Guthrie, Tadgh McNally, Keith Martin, Frank Samms, Debe Kennedy, Brendan Mulroy, Michael Killeen, Des Cafferkey and Liam Corbett. The station also has some guest presenters.
Drop in to WRFM in the Courtyard at James Street at any time to talk to Stephen O’Brien and the team or contact the studio on 098 24000/www.wrfm.ie/email: info@wrfm.ie; tune in to Westport Community Radio on 98.2fm every Saturday and Sunday.