In April 2007 the Sydney Irish Radio Programme celebrated 10 years on 107.3fm.(2serfm Radio)The previous Irish Heritage Programme was on air for 17 years so in total the Sunday morning air ways of Sydney and NSW have been provided with 27 years of Irish Radio 7.30 to 9am.
The Sydney Irish Radio Programme is now one of the most listened to Irish Radio Programs in Australia and broadcasts to the City of Sydney and parts of NSW. With the introduction of the internet the program is now heard world wide on www.2ser.com and has its own site www.sydneyirishradio.com
The program features up to date Irish News and sports report. Interviews local and around the world on many and varied topics. Talk back is also part of the program. Middle of the road music, songs and requests and the very popular community announcements plus the "craic" makes for 90 minutes of entertaining radio
I acquired control of the program in 1997 and have produced and presented the programme since.
Some of the highlights!
The live Radio Mass celebrated by Bishop David Cremin is now part of our annual calendar of special events.
Our 2000 outside broadcast from the St Patrick's Day concert at the domain in Sydney was another highlight and received very well.
We were first on the scene with our live cross to Co. Tyrone on the morning of the "Omagh bombing" also as the Good Friday Agreement news broke we crossed live to Barry McAlduff in Belfast.
I have interviewed many interesting and notable people over the years.
Political: The Irish President, Mary McAleese and the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Aherne, also Ministers Mary Harney, Dr.Jim McDaid, Seamus Brennan and Pat Rabbitte, Pat Scullion Irish Consul General, Sydney
Sports: Olympic gold medallists, Ron Delaney and Mary Peters. Irish/Man. United soccer star, Norman Whiteside. GAA all time greats Mick O'Dwyer, Pat Spillane, Jack O'Shea of Kerry. Babs Keating, Nicky English of Tipperary and Sean Og O'Halpin, Cork
Entertainment: Foster and Allen, Daniel O'Donnell, Dominic Kirwan,
Mary Duff, Red Hurley, Charlie Lansborough, The Fury's, Philomena
Beagly, Isla Grant, Tommy Fleming, Michael English, Louise Morrissey, Damien Leith, and many local artists
Others: Fr. John O Donohue (author) Christina Noble (charity worker)
Clare Dunne (author) Dr Jeff Kildea (author) Dr Catherine Thom rsc (author)
The costs of running a metro radio program are substantial and consistently increasing. I am indebted to the generous sponsors who support the programme financially. I have also received personal donations, and my thanks go to those who have donated
To produce and present the program requires many helpers and I would like to thank all who have over the years assisted. The photos of the team and the sponsors are on www.sydneyirishradio.com
Mike Bailey has been a great friend and encouragement to me and his continued assistance with the program is much valued.
I would like to thank the Irish Echo who has published the program details in the various issues for many years.
I conclusion my sincere thanks go to the listeners in Australia and other parts of the world who tune in every Sunday morning to 107.3 fm on www.2ser.com for without you we would not have a program!
Keep well and thanks so much
Michael Lyons
Producer/Presenter |
