Dublin, Cork, Limerick & Galway
Bay Broadcasting Completes Acquisition of Galway Bay FM and Announces New Leadership Team
Bay Broadcasting, the Irish-owned radio group behind Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8, has today announced the completion of its acquisition of Galway Bay FM following receipt of approval from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan.
The transaction, first announced in early June, sees Bay Broadcasting add Galway Bay FM to its growing portfolio, making it the second largest radio group in Ireland – and the largest Irish-owned radio group in the country.
Kevin Branigan, CEO, Bay Broadcasting, said: “Galway Bay FM is a terrific station with an outstanding team and a legacy that’s unmatched in Irish local radio. Its heritage as the voice of Galway is something we deeply respect and are proud to help sustain. As we welcome it into the Bay Broadcasting portfolio, we see huge opportunity to support the station’s growth and to ensure it continues to thrive as the leading radio broadcaster of the west of Ireland.”
Founded in 1989 as Radio West before rebranding as Galway Bay FM in 1993, the station has been a cornerstone of broadcasting in the west of Ireland for more than three decades. With a weekly listenership of 132,000, it is recognised as one of Ireland’s most respected and trusted local radio stations.
As part of this new chapter, Bay Broadcasting has confirmed the appointments of Fionnuala Rabbitt as Chief Executive Officer and Keith Finnegan as Chairman of the Board. Fionnuala Rabbitt, newly appointed CEO and former producer and digital media lead at Galway Bay FM, said: “It is truly special to be returning to Galway Bay FM, where my broadcasting career began, and indeed to Galway, my home city. After over a decade living and working in Donegal with Highland Radio, I’m thrilled to return with a fresh perspective and deep respect for the station’s unique place in the community. Galway Bay FM is part of the fabric of this region, and I look forward to working with the team to build on that heritage.”
The outgoing CEO, Cormac O’Halloran, stated that “he was delighted with the takeover and sees it as a very necessary step in the continued evolution of Galway Bay FM. He is also delighted with the choice of replacement CEO, Fionnuala Rabbitt, and thinks she will bring a vast amount of experience and knowledge of radio to the role, which is necessary for the next phase of development. He also stated it was a great pleasure working closely with the Team and together we have had great success over the last few years. Long may it continue.”
Returning to the station as Chairman of the Board, Keith Finnegan expressed his enthusiasm for the next chapter: “Galway Bay FM has always been close to my heart. I spent more than three decades working with the most talented professionals in the business, and I’m proud to take on the role of Chairman at such an exciting time for the station. I look forward to supporting the team and helping to shape the next chapter of Galway Bay FM’s success.”
Speaking on behalf of the departing shareholders of Galway Bay FM, Peter Allen, Chairman said, “Bay Broadcasting’s acquisition of Galway Bay FM marks an exciting new chapter for the station. From the outset, their commitment to Irish radio, understanding of local audiences, and proven track record made them the ideal partner to carry Galway Bay FM forward. The outgoing shareholders – many of whom have longstanding family ties to the station – are proud of what has been built over the past three decades and confident that Bay Broadcasting will continue to nurture and grow the station’s deep connection with Galway and the wider region.”
ENDS
For further information, imagery or to arrange interviews with Kevin Branigan, Fionnuala Rabbitt or Keith Finnegan, please contact: Ann-Marie Sheehan, Aspire PR & Marketing, T: +353 87 298 5569 | E: annmarie@aspire-pr.com
Editors’ Notes
About Fionnuala Rabbitt
Fionnuala Rabbitt MBA began her career in Galway, joining Galway Bay FM in 2004 as a researcher on The Keith Finnegan Show. She progressed to producer and then Digital Media Administrator, before becoming CEO of Highland Radio in Donegal in 2015. She has also served as Chair of Learning Waves Skillnet and sits on the boards of IBI, Learning Waves, Radiocentre Ireland and IRS+.
About Keith Finnegan
Keith Finnegan, a beloved local broadcaster, served as CEO of Galway Bay FM from 1991 to 2022 and hosted the station’s flagship morning show for over 30 years. A proud Galwegian and passionate promoter of the city, he played a leading role in the Galway Sister Cities programme and represented Galway internationally, including at the White House and St. Patrick’s Day parades in the US.
About Bay Broadcasting
Bay Broadcasting is a privately-owned Irish media company co-founded by Mike Ormonde and Kevin Branigan. It operates Dublin’s leading music radio stations – Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 – along with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, which broadcasts to Dublin, Cork, Limerick &Galway. With the addition of Galway Bay FM, Bay Broadcasting now reaches a total audience of over 810,000 listeners weekly and employs a team of approximately 85.
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio has appointed Nicki Manley as its new Deputy Programme Director.
Originally from Knocklyon, now residing in Rathgar, Nicki joined Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio in 2023, presenting Sunday mornings before expanding to both Saturday and Sunday Breakfast. In 2024, she won bronze for Newcomer of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards.
Before moving into broadcasting full-time, Nicki built a successful career in Human Resources, bringing with her valuable leadership and organisational experience which she will now apply to her work in radio. Nicki will continue to present the station’s Weekend Breakfast show alongside her new role.
Nicki Manley said: “I’m thrilled to take on this new role. Radio has always been a passion of mine and I’m looking forward to using my experience, both on air and in the world of HR, to support the team, to continue developing the strong programming that Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio is known for.”
Kevin Branigan, CEO of Bay Broadcasting, added: “Nicki has proven herself to be a talented and dedicated broadcaster. She is the ideal fit for this role and will bring strong ideas and leadership to our programming team while continuing to engage listeners every weekend.”
Bay Broadcasting is set to make history with the launch of Energy Dance, Ireland’s first fully-licensed dance radio station on DAB
The brand-new, 24-hour station will broadcast from Bay’s headquarters at Castleforbes House in Dublin, delivering non-stop club classics from the early 1990s right up to today’s biggest anthems. Aimed at listeners aged 35–64, Energy Dance will initially serve the Greater Dublin area before rolling out nationwide in line with the expansion of DAB across Ireland.
Energy Dance builds on Bay Broadcasting’s pioneering history. Its founders were part of the original pirate dance stations of the 1990s, including NSR Radio and KISS 103. Now, with the launch of Energy Dance, that spirit is being carried forward into the licensed digital era.
At launch, Energy Dance will feature wall-to-wall club classics, with live presenter-led programmes to follow in the coming months. The station will be available on DAB, smart speakers, online at EnergyDance.ie, and via radio aggregator sites.
Kevin Branigan, CEO of Bay Broadcasting, said: “With Energy Dance, we’re breaking new ground once again in Irish broadcasting. This is the first licensed dance music station on DAB in Ireland, and it will deliver a constant soundtrack of high-energy anthems to an audience that grew up with this music. Following our recent acquisition of Galway Bay FM, the launch of Energy Dance underlines Bay’s position as one of the most progressive and innovative radio groups in Ireland today.”
Bay Broadcasting already operates Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio, Sunshine 106.8, and, most recently, Galway Bay FM. Its digital portfolio includes Nova Classic Rock, Classic Hits 80s, Sunshine Soul, Nova 80s, and Nova Chill. The arrival of Energy Dance strengthens this line-up and builds on Bay’s track record of experimentation through the Fáilte DAB trial platform.
Galway Bay FM has been named in the top three local radio stations at the All-Ireland IMRO radio awards.
In addition to taking the bronze Local Station of the Year award, Galway Bay FM took Gold for Sports Story of the Year and Silver for Radio Moment of the Year.
The sports department's documentary "The Day We Beat The Dubs" won gold for Sports Story of the year with the now iconic "Sweet Mother Of Jesus" moment winning Silver for Radio Moment of the Year.
Head of Sport Ollie Turner said it is a great honour to get this recognition.
Galway Bay FM News provides trusted, comprehensive coverage and analysis of local, national, and international stories.
Tune in every hour, Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, with breakfast updates at 7:30 and 8:30.
Catch the multi-award-winning FYI Galway from 5pm for all your news and sport, along with traffic and business information.
Download the Galway Bay FM app to get the latest stories on the go and stay connected on Facebook, Instagram and X
It was thrice as nice for Radio Nova at the 2025 IMRO Radio Awards at the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny, scooping three titles including Kieran McGuinness taking Gold for the Best Irish Music Programme or Initiative with The All Irish Music Hour on the Nova Guestlist
This win makes it three years in a row for Kieran taking home an IMRO Gold award, having won Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year Gold in 2023 and 2025.
Radio Nova was also honoured on the night with a Silver award for the Station Imaging and a Bronze award in the Entertainment Inserts category, for Marty Miller’s Seriously Addictive Music News, which can be heard weekdays just before 1pm during Marty@Work. The segment covers all the big music stories of the day or it can be an interview with a soon to visit artist.
CLICK HERE TO TUNE IN TO MARTY@WORK 10AM WEEKDAYS
Station Imaging refers to jingles, idents, voiceovers and all pre-produced elements used to define the ‘station sound’ and brand position- it's basically the audio "image" that Nova puts forward on air to represent what it says about itself.
Radio Nova Chief Executive, Kevin Branigan, said, "Being loved by our listeners, who continue to make us the Number 1 Music Station in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, is great. But icing on the cake is to be so well regarded and recognised by our peers and the wider radio industry, year after year at the IMROs. These three awards are a great credit to our team of presenters, producers and programmers. Congratulations to Kieran on the rare feat of 3 consecutive Gold wins in a row, and well done to our creative genius Fiona Scally and Marty Miller on their awards."
Hosted by Dermot Whelan, the event recognised excellence across news, music, sport, current affairs, entertainment, and innovation, with winners announced in 42 categories, bringing together the best of the Irish radio industry to celebrate another remarkable year.
Radio Nova has won a number of IMRO awards previously including:
Formerly the PPI Radio Awards, the IMRO Radio Awards are sponsored by IMRO, representing the rights of music creators in Ireland, and Coimisiún na Meán, the independent regulator for Irish broadcasting and on-demand services.
“ Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and shortlisted nominees. Your work represents the very best of Irish radio; creative, compelling, and deeply connected with audiences. The standard across the board has been exceptional, and it’s a true privilege to celebrate the talent, passion, and dedication that make our industry so vibrant," Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards committee, Chris Doyle said.
This year’s ceremony saw the largest number of entries in over ten years as the awards continue to showcase the strength and creativity of radio across the island of Ireland, highlighting its vital role in informing, entertaining, and connecting listeners.
Eleanor McEvoy, Chair of the main sponsors IMRO said, “At its heart, radio has always been local. It’s rooted in community - it’s rooted in the accents, the humour, the news, and the songs that mean something to the people who tune in every day. When a station reflects its listeners, when it champions the artists and songwriters who live among them, something magic happens. People hear themselves in it. They feel seen, and they feel connected. That connection matters. Because if everything starts to sound the same, if all we hear, wherever we travel, are the same playlists, the same stories - then society loses something vital. We lose the colour, the richness, the individuality that makes every city, every town, and every county, unique. As a songwriter, I know how important that first play on a local station can be. It’s not just airplay - it’s belief, and it’s validation. There’s nothing that can give you that endorsement in the way that Radio can, and it’s always been utterly vital - in helping artists find their voice, and in helping audiences find their soundtrack to their lives.”
Dublin, 30th September 2025.
Radio group Bay Broadcasting is set to launch a brand-new dance music station, Energy Dance, on the DAB platform. The station is expected to launch imminently and will make history as the first ever licensed dance music radio station in Ireland.
Broadcasting 24 hours a day from Bay's headquarters at Castleforbes House in Dublin 1, Energy Dance will deliver back-to-back club classics – from early 90s classics to today’s biggest anthems – providing the ultimate soundtrack for Irish dance fans.
Energy Dance will be aimed at listeners aged 25 to 60, initially serving audiences in the Greater Dublin area, before expanding nationwide in line with the rollout of DAB across Ireland.
Despite much demand over the past 30 years, Ireland has never had a licensed dance radio station. Bay Broadcasting is uniquely positioned to change that, with its founders having operated the original pioneering pirate dance stations of the 1990s – NSR Radio and KISS 103. Now, the company is proud to bring that heritage into the digital era with the launch of Energy Dance on a live DAB platform.
"We’re excited to be making broadcasting history with Energy Dance," said Kevin Branigan, CEO of Bay Broadcasting. "We were there at the very beginning of dance radio in Ireland and it’s exciting to now return with a fully-licensed dance station on DAB. Our mission is simple: to celebrate the music that shaped generations and to bring a high-energy, non-stop soundtrack of club classics to Irish audiences nationwide."
At launch, Energy Dance will operate as a continuous music service. However, in the coming months, Bay plans to roll out live programming and extend the service nationwide as DAB coverage grows.
Energy Dance will be available imminently on DAB, Smart Speaker, and online via EnergyDance.ie. It will also be accessible through radio aggregator websites, ensuring listeners can tune in anytime, anywhere.
Bay Broadcasting already operates some of Ireland’s most successful radio brands, including Radio Nova, Classic Hits Radio, and Sunshine 106.8. The group recently announced its purchase of Galway Bay FM, bringing its FM portfolio to four stations. On the digital side, Bay runs an extensive line-up of DAB and online services, including Nova Classic Rock, Classic Hits 80s, Sunshine Soul, Nova 80s, and Nova Chill. The launch of Energy Dance strengthens this offering further, demonstrating Bay’s commitment to innovation, diversity, and growth in Irish broadcasting.
Energy Dance is launching as an experimental radio station on the Failte DAB trial platform. As such, Bay Broadcasting is interested in hearing from any parties with thoughts and suggestions on how the service can be developed over the coming months. Interested parties are invited to contact the station at hello@energydance.ie.
More information:
Kevin Branigan
kevin@baybroadasting.ie
t: 087 2679047
Energy Dance at a Glance
Target Audience: Listeners aged 25 to 54
Initial Coverage Area: Greater Dublin area, expanding nationwide as DAB rolls out across Ireland
Broadcasting From: Castleforbes House, Dublin 1
Music Era: Club Classics and Dance hits from the early 90s to today
Availability: On DAB, Smart Speaker, EnergyDance.ie and radio aggregator websites
Experimental Platform: Part of the Failte Ireland DAB trial
Contact: hello@energydance.ie
“Bring your sons, your brothers, fathers, uncles, neighbours, friends…anyone who wants to support a really important cause worth fighting for and spread the word of how vital and important it is to get checked out.” – Ronnie, Prostate Cancer Patient and Dipper
Men of Ireland - get nippy this November for men’s cancer care! Radio Nova’s Morning Glory presenters PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe are once again braving the waves in Skerries on 8th November for The Dickie Dip, and they are rallying the troops to join them to take part and support men on their cancer journey in the Mater Hospital.
On doing the 2025 Dickie Dip, Radio Nova’s PJ Gallagher says, "Last year Jim and I thought we’d freeze to death – turns out we just froze a few important parts! But honestly, if a few minutes in the Irish Sea can help raise awareness and funds for men’s cancer care, then we’ll happily strip off and dive back in. It’s cold, it’s mad, it’s a laugh – and it could save lives. That’s a pretty good trade, if you ask me."
"There aren’t many occasions where you can say standing starkers on a beach with a bow tie is doing good for mankind – but this is one of them. “The Dickie Dip is about more than just the craic (though Lord knows there’s an awful lot of craic on show!) it’s about looking out for each other and making sure men get the care they need. We’ll be there, goosebumps and all, and we want as many lads as possible to join us," PJ’s Morning Glory co-host Jim McCabe says of doing the Dip again.
The Dickie Dip, now in its 6th year, is an annual all-male skinny dip fundraiser that’s chilly for a great cause and truly heartwarming! PJ and Jim took a splash in the Irish Sea’s winter waters last year for the very first time and are back for more chills on 8th November! Will you join their brave band of brothers, leave your briefs on the shore and take a dip in nothing but a smile and a dickie bow.
Be united on the beach, be fearless in the water...be a Dickie Dipper for men's cancer care. Since the inaugural event in 2019, The Dickie Dip participants have stood together with their fellow men and raised a phenomenal €600,000 to provide essential supports and services for men’s cancer patients who need it most in the hospital.
Last year’s event raised an impressive €186k for men’s cancer care and the Mater Hospital Foundation is hoping to smash that at this year’s event, with the help of the biggest group yet of determined dippers striding into the surf in Skerries on Saturday, 8th November.
It couldn't be easier to take part. Simply visit www.materfoundation.ie/dickiedip and fill out the short registration form. Every dipper who signs up will receive a free dickie bow and a personalised Eventmaster fundraising page, which they can share with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Participants will also be invited to join the 2025 Dickie Dip Facebook Group, where you can meet with fellow Dickie Dip participants and learn more about this exhilarating and impactful event.
Mater patient and Dipper Ronnie says, "Last October I got a diagnosis of prostate cancer. It was obviously a difficult time dealing with that news and I felt I had no other choice but to try to turn a negative situation into a positive one. Then along came the Dickie Dip. The perfect opportunity to give something back to all the staff who looked after me."
He adds, "I had the honour of meeting over 400 likeminded gents on that chilly damp Saturday morning, we sang, danced, and drank copious amounts of coffee. We disrobed on the Skerries beach, and we all charged like crazed warriors heading into battle which turned out to be the icy cold Irish Sea. It was exhilarating, it was fun, it was a life affirming experience, it was membership into a brotherhood who can proudly call themselves Dippers...and it was absolutely Baltic! I can’t wait to do it again."
Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive of the Mater Hospital Foundation says, “PJ and Jim first braved the chilly waters in 2024 for men’s cancer care, and we are ecstatic that they are back to join us for this year’s event! This year, we’re going even bigger and better and aiming for the largest ever group of brave men from all over Ireland dipping in support of men’s cancer care in the Mater Hospital."
She says, “Every year, we are inspired by the fearlessness and commitment of our Dickie Dip participants, many of whom have been impacted directly by cancer – either through a diagnosis themselves, or by that of a loved one. Many others come simply to stand in solidarity with their fellow men and raise funds to support those facing that difficult journey. Thank you to PJ, Jim and each and every dipper who joins us or donates to support this important cause. We can’t forget to thank our amazing Dickie Dip Committee and our friends in Fingal County Council and Skerries Sailing Club for their support every year.”
To find out more about the work of the Mater Hospital Foundation or to donate, visit www.materfoundation.ie or contact us at 01 830 3482 or by email - contact@materfoundation.ie
Aidan Cooney has joined Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio.
Aidan has a long career in radio, spanning several decades, and is a radio man through and through. His love for radio began with Radio Dublin in the late 70s. He went on to host on a number of other pirate stations in Dublin including ARD, Big D, Sunshine Radio, Radio Nova, Treble TR, as well as 98FM and Q102. He then became a household name when he joined the Ireland AM team on TV3, now Virgin Media, in 1999.
“Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio is very much on the up and I just felt it was time for a new challenge. I’m really looking forward to working with some really amazing people. All you have to do is look at their On Air talent it jumps out at you so it’s a pleasure to be joining the team on Sunday“, said Aidan Cooney.
Dave Kelly, Programme Director, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, said, “Aidan is a quality presenter and we are absolutely delighted to welcome him on board. He is a fantastic broadcaster and addition to the ever growing much loved radio station in Ireland.”
CEO, Kevin Branigan, said, “We’re delighted to be welcoming Aidan Cooney to Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio. He has a warmth and relatability that connects with listeners and is a well-known household name. He’s a perfect presenter for us and I’m looking forward to him joining the team“.
Aidan will initially present Sunday afternoons on the station.
Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio broadcasts to the multicity area of Dublin, Cork, Limerick & Galway, as well as Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Clare. It has 383,000 listeners as per the most recent JNLR *.
* JNLR Ipsos/MRBI 2025.2. Multicity. Weekly Reach.
Irish-owned, Bay Broadcasting surpasses Onic Wireless Group with landmark move cementing its national reach reinforcing its commitment to independent radio
Thursday 5th June 2025 – For Immediate Release
Bay Broadcasting, owners of Ireland’s leading independent radio stations including Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8, has announced its acquisition of Galway Bay FM. The move marks a significant expansion of Bay Broadcasting’s footprint across Ireland and reaffirms its commitment to its radio investments in Ireland.
Galway Bay FM is the licensed broadcaster for Galway City & County, with a market share of 34%. The station has a staff count of 25 at its headquarters at Sandy Road in the city.
The purchase is subject to CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) and also subject to Ministerial approval.
In a statement, Kevin Branigan, Director of Bay Broadcasting, said, “Galway Bay FM stands out as one of Ireland’s most respected local stations, with a loyal audience and a strong local identity. It’s one of the most enduring local radio stations in the country and its track record speaks for itself. We look forward to working with the excellent team in Galway Bay FM and to continuing the station’s proud position as the leading radio service in Galway”.
Speaking on behalf of the departing shareholders of Galway Bay FM, Peter Allen, Chairman said, “There were several interested parties, but Bay Broadcasting was the clear choice. Their respect for local radio, strong track record, and Irish ownership aligned with everything we’ve worked to build over decades really stood out. The shareholders – many of whom are families with generations of involvement – wanted to ensure that the station's future remained rooted in Galway. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and confident that Galway Bay FM will be in excellent hands.”
Galway Bay FM launched in 1989 under the name Radio West, rebranding in 1993. The Connacht Tribune Ltd, which owned a 27% stake, became sole owners in 2006. A family-run business deeply embedded in the west of Ireland, the Tribune Group developed Galway Bay FM into a trusted voice for Galway city and county, serving a licensed audience aged 27–60.
Bay Broadcasting is a privately-owned Irish media company co-founded by Mike Ormonde and Kevin Branigan. It operates Dublin’s top leading music radio stations – Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 – along with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, which broadcasts to Dublin, Cork, Limerick & Galway, and is Ireland’s only multicity radio station.
With the addition of Galway Bay FM, Bay Broadcasting will become the second largest radio group in Ireland – and the only Irish-owned radio group – now larger than Onic (formerly Wireless), operators of FM104/Q102 in Dublin, 96FM/103FM in Cork, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFM in Louth/Meath.
Bay Broadcasting was founded in 2008 by Mike Ormonde and Kevin Branigan and currently employs a team of 60 at its base in the Dublin Docklands. It owns Classic Hits Radio, Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8. Radio Nova is the largest music radio station in Dublin (9.4% market share) with Sunshine 106.8 a close second at 8.9%. Meanwhile, Classic Hits Radio has 382,000 listeners across its franchise area of Dublin, Cork, Limerick & Galway and is the only multicity service licenced by the broadcasting regulator.
The purchase of Galway Bay FM will give Bay 810,000 listeners compared to Onic’s 796,000 listeners. The acquisition has already been approved by Coimisiún na Meán.
Established in 1989 as Radio West before rebranding to Galway Bay FM in 1993, the station has been a cornerstone of broadcasting in the west of Ireland for over three decades. With a strong commitment to local news, current affairs, music, and community engagement, Galway Bay FM has built a loyal audience across the region. Today, it reaches an impressive weekly listenership of 132,000 people, making it one of the most influential and trusted media voices in Connacht.
Bay Broadcasting is the country’s largest Irish-owned radio group and is the operator of Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio and Sunshine 106.8. It employs a team of 60 at its base in the Dublin Docklands. Radio Nova and Sunshine 106.8 are the no. 1 and no. 2 music radio stations in Dublin respectively, while Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, which broadcasts in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, is the largest commercial radio station in Ireland outside the two national radio stations, Today FM and Newstalk. The acquisition of Galway Bay FM brings Bay’s total audience to 810,000 and will increase its staff count to approximately 85.