Kilkenny radio station to celebrate 45 years of broadcasting

Community Radio Kilkenny City 88.7FM will be celebrating its 45th anniversary with an open day on Thursday, August 22.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the station at 32 Hebron Industrial Estate between 12pm and 2pm on the day to celebrate the significant milestone in the station's history.

From the beginning of the radio revolution in Kilkenny in 1979 when Kilkenny Community Radio (KCR) first went to air through to today, community radio has been present in Kilkenny, providing a voice for marginalised communities that isn't available through other media outlets - 'For the People by The People'.

Community radio in Kilkenny has had to overcome numerous hurdles in the last 45 years to continue providing this vital service for the people of Kilkenny and surrounding areas.

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From the end of pirate broadcasting in 1988 to Radio Kilkenny ceasing broadcast in 2003 following a decision to redraw the boundaries for local radio licenses, it's only with thanks to a passionate and committed group of volunteers that community radio in Kilkenny lived on, and now proudly boasts a network of over 130 volunteers in 2024.

From 2008 to 2012 through to 2016, those dedicated volunteers showed their passion and the demand for local community radio through broadcasting on various temporary broadcasting licenses, keeping Community Radio Kilkenny City alive.

In 2017 after negotiations with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), Community Radio Kilkenny City signed a ten year a broadcasting contract for Kilkenny City and Environs. This gave a sense of permanence and security to community radio in Kilkenny, allowing it to grow and strengthen.

Since then, Community Radio Kilkenny City has been going from strength to strength, expanding its services for the people of Kilkenny. 

Over the last 45 years, the station's name has changed, the frequency has changed, some volunteers and presenters have changed, but what remains the same is the passion for local, volunteer led radio, and our commitment to our mission statement. To enhance the listening choice of all people in Kilkenny through a diverse range of programming content, thus reflecting all the communities it serves. 

For further information or to RSVP, email: to manager@crkc.ie.