'Fairplay for Airplay' award Áine Hensey

Raidió na Gaeltachta presenter Áine Hensey is the latest recipient of an Irish Music Industry award - 'Fairplay for Airplay'. The award intends to acknowledge the positive impact Irish radio has had in encouraging new talent in Ireland.

The Fairplay for Airplay award was presented to Áine Hensey for her work on Raidió na Gaeltachta, on Friday 1 March 2002 (7pm) in the Great Southern Hotel, Galway by Hot Press general manager Jackie Hayden who is also Chairman of Fairplay For Airplay.

Speaking about Áine Hensey, he said: "Through her informed and enthusiastic presentation of programmes in the early days of 2fm and latterly on Raidió na Gaeltachta, Áine Hensey has opened many an ear to the delights of Irish traditional music. She is now one of the most influential musical figures on Raidió Na Gaeltachta, presenting the Béal Maidine and An Ghaoth Aniar programmes every weekend. She applies her unique blend of flair and authority to encouraging a deeper understanding of Irish traditional music and serving as an invaluable inspiration for new musicians in the genre."

The award is presented by the Fairplay For Airplay committee which also hopes to forge a greater understanding between radio stations and emergent talent. The Fairplay For Airplay initiative is based on the following beliefs:

New music needs to be heard before it can be appreciated.
Radio has traditionally been the primary means for new music to reach a mass audience.
Popular music and radio developed hand-in-hand from the early days, with each influencing the growth of the other.
Radio airplay encourages new talent and sells records, while popular music attracts listeners and advertisers.
The music and radio industries have more in common than is often acknowledged.

Further details:
Máirín Mhic Dhonnchadha, Raidió na Gaeltachta, 087 646 8731 or Johnny Lappin Tel: 087 2513201 Fax: 05435304 E-mail: fmp@eircom.net