Radio delight as ribbon cut on Kilkenny's new station

A large crowd turned out on Friday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kilkenny’s only community radio station, Community Radio Kilkenny City 88.7fm.

Having commenced broadcasting on October 27, the new station was formally launched on Friday. It was fitting that it was launched by four stalwarts of community radio: Kay Sheehy, Sheila Dalton, Michael Minogue and Mike O’Brien were all founding members, or early officers of Kilkenny Community Communications Cooperative Society (KCCCS) Ltd, the co-op that has won the licence to operate the community radio service.

The station was also blessed by Bishop Michael Burrows and Fr Willie Purcell. Chairman, Cathal Cullen welcomed all, including longstanding supporters of community radio, representatives of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), Pobal, Intreo and KLP.

Kilkenny County Council was represented by Cathaoirleach David FitzGerald, as well as Cllrs Breda Gardner, Pat FitzPatrick, Patrick McKee, and Malcolm Noonan. Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce was represented by its CEO, John Hurley. Local Fianna Fáil TDs, Bobby Aylward and John McGuinness were joined by their party leader, Micheal Martin, who was then interviewed live on air.

Most of all, it was a day for volunteers and local community groups who turned out in great numbers on a cold December morning.

Later, the station celebrated the launch with an outside broadcast from High Street, and the draw was made for the station’s annual Christmas draw.