Radio stations remain to be the biggest mass-reach medium in the Ireland, with over 80% of consumers listening weekly online or through the airwaves. Despite the explosive growth of podcasts and streaming, Irish citizens remain true to their favorite presenters – regardless of the technology that’s available to them elsewhere. Whether broadcasting from a Belfast shopfront or a Dublin shipping container, online radio has opened up the airwaves. However, while we know for certain that Ireland loves radio – what’s harder to figure out is which Irish radio stations are the best.
Over the past decade, online radio has seen huge growth. No longer restricted by the need for an FM transmitter or a DAB licence, a host of global music and chatter is now available through our laptop speakers. If you have found yourself at the end of your tether with Spotify playlists, here is a selection of some of the best alternative radio stations to turn on and tune in to.
RADIO NOVA
Radio NOVA is a radio station from Dublin.
NOVA broadcasts what it describes as a diet of "a guitar-based mix of great songs from the last 40 years right through to today.”
BBC RADIO ULSTER
BBC Radio Ulster is a listener-supported public radio station in Northern Ireland. It is the most widely listened to radio station in Northern Ireland, with a diverse range of programmes, including news, talk, features, music and sport.
COOL FM
Cool FM is an Independent Local Radio station based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland. Cool FM plays a broad mix of popular, youth-orientated Pop and Dance music from the 1980s onwards, however there's also a daily dose of EDM.
TODAY XM
'Your Alternative Music Destination' Today XM, a 24hr presenter-free online music channel will be blasting out Nirvana, Weezer and other alternative classics.
U105 FM
From Belfast, U105 broadcasts adult-contemporary music, with sister online station U105 80s. Advertised with the slogan “Northern Ireland's Best Mix” U105 FM providing a mix of music and speech as well as hourly news bulletins.
SPIN 1038
A contemporary radio station licensed in Dublin .It was intended to provide an alternative for listeners younger than those catered for by the original two Dublin stations, FM104 and Dublin's 98FM.
RTÉ ONE
RTÉ ONE is a listener-supported public radio station broadcasting in Republic of Ireland
The station is a mixed radio channel, offering a wide spectrum of programming which is mainly speech-based.
