Veterans back on the airwaves as 4FM launches

THEY might have struggled to climb on a trailer to promote Ireland’s new radio station, but the stars of 4FM made a much smoother transition to the airwaves yesterday.

Veteran broadcasters including Gareth O’Callaghan, Derek Davis, Tom McGurk and Jimmy Greeley celebrated being back on air with the launch of the first multi-city radio station.

4FM has a licence to broadcast to the Dublin commuter belt as well as Cork, Limerick, Galway and Clare.

The easy-listening station, which is targeting the over-45 audience, will serve listeners a diet of classic, jazz, soul, rock ’n’ roll and Motown.

Many of the station’s presenters are already household names. Former 2FM DJ, Gareth O’Callaghan, who hosts 4FM’s new breakfast show, is returning to the airwaves after an absence of five years, while Derek Davis, who retired from RTÉ last April, will host a magazine show on Sunday mornings at 10am.

RTÉ rugby presenter Tom McGurk will anchor 4FM’s evening drivetime show each weekday.

Gareth O’Callaghan admitted that he jumped at the opportunity to return to a prime-time slot on 4FM. “I didn’t have to think twice about coming on board,” he said.

Speaking at the official launch, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said the station would add to the diversity and choice in Irish radio.

“It is appropriate that radio listeners are provided with an alternative to the long-established stations and I think that 4FM will fill a gap in the market,” said the minister.

Mr Ryan said he had personally chosen the Queen and David Bowie track Under Pressure to be played because the lyrics captured the state of the nation. “We’re under a bit of pressure but we will get ourselves out of it,” he laughed.

4FM’s chief executive Martin Block said the station — whose shareholders include Thomas Crosbie Holdings, owners of the Irish Examiner — would aim for an average 70:30 split between music and talk. It employs 47 staff and will spend a €2m budget in the first 12 months to promote the station.

4FM is broadcasting on a range of frequencies, including 94.9FM in Dublin, 94.8FM in Cork city and 104.2FM in Limerick. Go to www.4fm.ie for tuning details in other areas.