{
  "id": 11574902,
  "title": "RTÉ Radio 1 among winners at IMRO radio ceremony",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/rte-radio-1-among-winners-at-imro-radio-ceremony",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T01:14:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/1003/1593866-imro-radio-awards/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "RTÉ Radio 1 emerged as the standout performer at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026, securing the most accolades of the evening. The prestigious event, hosted by Dermot Whelan at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Co Kilkenny, saw IMRO Radio Awards Committee awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals in 42 categories. Today FM claimed the title of National Station of the Year, amassing 11 awards. Spin 1038 was recognized as Music Station of the Year, while Shannonside Northern Sound triumphed in the Local Station of the Year category. Emma Nolan from Spin 1038 was also named Music and Entertainment Presenter of the Year. RTÉ Radio 1 shone brightly, earning 24 awards, including seven gold, nine silver, and eight bronze. Notable winners from RTÉ Radio 1 included Justin McCarthy as News Broadcaster of the Year, Richard Morgan from BBC Radio Ulster as News Broadcaster of the Year (silver), and Sarah McInerney from RTÉ as News Broadcaster of the Year (bronze). Brian O'Connell from RTÉ Radio 1 was honored with News Reporter of the Year, alongside his Radio 1 colleague, Barry Lenihan. RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime program claimed the Current Affairs Programme of the Year award, while its Brenda Fricker on the Brendan O'Connor programme secured the 2026 Radio Moment of the Year. The station's Drivetime program also won Current Affairs Programme of the Year. 98FM's Leanne Hanafin was named Radio DJ of the Year, and Newstalk's Off the Ball and Q102's Dublin Sport Today took gold in the Sports Programme and Local/Regional categories, respectively. John Duggan from Newstalk won Sports Broadcaster of the Year, and Midlands 103's Breakfast at the Ploughing was crowned Breakfast Show of the Year. East Coast FM's Jamie Ryan secured Newcomer of the Year. The IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame inducted Marty Whelan from RTÉ Lyric FM, Michael Crawley of LMFM, Teena Gates of Bauer Media Ireland, and Helen Ní Shé from RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTÉ Lyric FM each walked away with three gold awards in Drama, Craoltóireacht Le Gaeilge, and Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year categories.",
  "summary": "Today FM, Shannonside Northern Sound and SPIN 1038 picked up station of the year awards at the IMRO Radio Awards 2026, with RTÉ Radio 1 securing the most awards on the night.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}