Community radio to move to Kilrush

KILKEE-based community radio station Raidió Corca Baiscinn (RCB) is to re-locate to Kilrush, subject to Leader funding. A decision on whether the community group will be granted funding however, is not due until at least September.

Last Thursday’s monthly meeting of Kilrush Town Council heard from a three-person RCB delegation who informed the nine town councillors that they have long-term plans to establish a media training centre in Kilrush in tandem with the proposed new radio station headquarters. The station will be based at the Quay Mills in Lower Frances Street.
“After 10 years, we’re going to say goodbye to Kilkee. We’re moving to Kilrush,” RCB spokesperson Morgan Roughan informed the meeting.
He added that RCB has already agreed a lease with the proprietors of Quay Mills. Currently, the station employs one full-time manager and two-part time staff. The station also has at least 150 active volunteers, although they are keen to recruit more.
“We’d like to put Kilrush on the map as a centre of excellence for media training,” Morgan Roughan said. The station has been fully licenced since 2000 and is currently four years into a 10-year licence. Under Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) rules, RCB cannot turn a profit or show a loss. However, it is planning to expand both programming and its target audience, which stands at 13,000 people.
Mr Roughan informed Kilrush Town Council that any funding emanating from the council to Raidió Corca Baiscinn would be welcome.
“We’re asking the council to give us a dig out,” he said, referring to the marketing and financial side of operating the station.
The RCB delegation was told that Kilrush Town Council issues annual arts grants and that the deadline for funding applications is the end of October.
Several councillors said they were delighted the station was planning to establish their headquarters in Kilrush.
“While I’m sure Kilkee will miss you, we’ll be delighted to have you,” Councillor Marian McMahon Jones commented.
“The youth in Kilrush have really got into their music again. This would be a huge development,” Councillor Ian Lynch commented while town Mayor Mairéad O’Brien was also fully supportive of the move.
“Anything that’s community-based is most welcome in Kilrush,” she said.
Since the community radio station was set up in 1999, the station has been based in Kilkee Community Centre.