RTÉ Radio 1's Ronan Collins was among the new inductees of the 2019 IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame, which were announced in Dublin on Tuesday.
The veteran broadcaster and sometimes musician joined Newstalk’s Sean Moncrieff, Paul Byrne, Chief Executive of Radio Kerry, and Seamus McKee of BBC Radio Ulster at a ceremony at the offices of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland where they were awarded the accolade, which recognises well-known names on air and behind the mic.
This year’s new inductees join names such as Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Larry Gogan, Ian Dempsey, Áine Lawlor, Candy Devine, Dave Fanning and Tony Fenton among others.
Collins was presented with an IMRO Special Recognition for his support of Irish music and Irish artists over the course of his many years in radio.
The father of three, who is from Phibsboro in Dublin, began his national radio career on RTÉ Radio 2 in 1979 and broadcasts his daily show on Radio 1 from 12.00 to 1.00pm.
Multiple IMRO Radio Awards winner Sean Moncrieff, who grew up in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, presents Moncrieff on Newstalk every weekday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm and is the longest-serving presenter on the station.
He has also written three novels and two non-fiction books, and also writes a weekly column for the Irish Times and is the voice of The Restaurant on Virgin Media.
A native of Tipperary, Paul Byrne began his radio career in pirate radio in the early 80’s before joining WLR in Waterford in the early days of pirate radio. He then moved to Tipp FM as CEO in 2001 before joining Radio Kerry as CEO in 2004.
Belfast native Seamus McKee is a lead presenter and broadcast journalist who has presented BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra since 2009.
Before moving to the show, McKee presented BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme for almost 30-years. Seamus has also presented a number of BBC NI programmes including Spotlight, Hearts and Minds and Songs of Praise.
The IMRO Radio Awards will take place at the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny on October 4, where the winners of the 40 categories will be announced.
