RTÉ Radio 1's Mary Wilson is among the inductees for the 2023 IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame.
The Morning Ireland presenter is being added to the Hall of Fame alongside BBC Radio Ulster's John Bennett, Joe Finnegan from Shannonside Northern Sound and Paddy Halpenny, formerly of Communicorp.
The honour recognises individuals working in the radio industry who have made significant and valuable contributions over the course of their careers.
Wilson, who hails from South Tipperary, joined RTÉ's local radio service in Cork in 1989, later moving to RTÉ's Dublin newsroom in 1990 to work as a reporter on Morning Ireland.
She won the National Journalist of the Year Award in 2000 and multiple Justice Media Awards for her news and documentary coverage.
In 2006, she joined the newly launched Drivetime radio show which she anchored for 14 years, before returning to Morning Ireland's presenting team in 2020.
Also being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame is veteran BBC Radio Ulster broadcaster John Bennett.
The Northern Irish presenter joined the BBC in 1956 and has presented music, entertainment, sports and current affairs programmes during his almost seven-decade career at the broadcaster.
The @IMROIreland Radio Awards Hall of Fame, since its initiation, stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of Irish radio. We are proud to announce the induction of four new members. #IMRO23
— IMRO Radio Awards (@IMRORadioAwards) September 11, 2023
1/4 John Bennett MBE from @bbcradioulster @CNaM_ie pic.twitter.com/wigDlUOnvW
New inductee Joe Finnegan has worked in radio for over 34 years as a current affairs presenter, journalist, director, and station manager at Shannonside Northern Sound.
The @IMROIreland Radio Awards Hall of Fame, since its initiation, stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of Irish radio. We are proud to announce the induction of four new members. #IMRO23
— IMRO Radio Awards (@IMRORadioAwards) September 11, 2023
2/4 @JoeFinneganShow from @ShannonsideFM @NorthernSoundFM @CNaM_ie pic.twitter.com/mUbse0ciMA
Patrick (Paddy) Halpenny was Chief Executive of Communicorp from 1997 to 2013. Over the 15 years he was at the helm, Communicorp grew to a portfolio of 42 stations in 9 countries.
The @IMROIreland Radio Awards Hall of Fame, since its initiation, stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of Irish radio. We are proud to announce the induction of four new members. #IMRO23
— IMRO Radio Awards (@IMRORadioAwards) September 11, 2023
3/4 Paddy Halpenny formerly of Communicorp@CNaM_ie pic.twitter.com/UlxccdZBfE
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 13 September at the IMRO office in Dublin.
Past inductees to the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame include Joe Duffy, Marian Finucane, Pat Kenny, Áine Lawlor, Gay Byrne, Larry Gogan and Ian Dempsey.
