RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, the Gaeltacht and Irish Language Radio Service in Ireland, has proven yet again this year that it is the most regionally diverse broadcaster in Ireland.

Audiences now have more ways to listen to radio than ever before. An important part of the role of public service broadcasters is to serve the listeners in whatever place they may be and to provide distinctive programming that showcases the talent and imagination of the Gaeltacht and Irish-language communities. Over the last year, substantial work has been done to strengthen the founding values of the service in the areas of regional news, traditional music, sport and local current affairs in particular. It has been a very challenging time which has called for us to be thrifty with our limited resources, and the talent and imagination of the team has helped greatly in this regard, with a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, and to be creative in the face of challenges.

There have been significant changes to Irish-language listenership in the last few years, with an ever-increasing proportion of listeners living outside Gaeltacht areas in urban centres and abroad. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta has invested time and resources over the last number of years in re-evaluating and altering the daily schedule to reflect this change, and to attract new listeners, while also continuing to service our current, loyal listenership.

Local and national news and current affairs are at the core of the daily schedule from 7am until 7 p.m., which is predominantly talk-based.

Traditional music is at the heart of our evening programming, before Anocht fm, our youth service, takes to the airwaves from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.

We made great efforts to bring opportunities for debate, discussion and music to our listeners and although the big stories of the day were discussed and analysed on the service, we didn't forget to have fun along the way - life is too short, after all.

We hope that this application for Radio Station of the Year reflects the strength and diversity of our broadcasting schedule.

Above all else we always strive to serve the interests of the listeners - RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is of the people and for the people - and I hope that this application reflects that.