Ballyhoura Community Radio Limited grew out of an initiative of Charleville Chamber of Commerce in 2004 who set up a group to look at the need and the feasibility of setting up a radio station in the town.

The group looked at community radio and, after much consultation with other stations and with CRAOL, the Community Radio Forum of Ireland, came to the conclusion that this was the model most suited to the area‘s needs. A well attended public meeting endorsed this decision and gave the group the go-ahead to proceed with the licensing process.

Thus, Ballyhoura Community Radio Limited, an independent and not for profit company, was set up and an application for a licence to broadcast was lodged with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to an eight kilometre radius of the town, an area which will include the communities of Ardpatrick, Ballyagran, Ballyhea, Bruree, Castletown, Churchtown, Colmanswell, Dromina, Effin, Kilmallock, Liscarroll, Newtownshandrum and Milford.

To operate a community broadcasting service providing, on a voluntary non profit making basis, a forum for community groups and organisations, minority groups and non-Irish nationals, and to educate and inform the wider population.

Further to this, the company aims to follow the underlying objectives:

• To facilitate and promote community development
• To support voluntary community organisations in the promotion of their objectives
• To provide training opportunities in media and communications to school goers and those with special needs in the station’s catchment area
• To record and preserve the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Ballyhoura area in an entertaining fashion, thereby maximising the radio audience

In April 2007, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland granted a radio broadcast licence in principle to Ballyhoura Community Radio Ltd to provide a radio broadcast service to the town of Charleville and its environs within an eight kilometre radius. It is now the prerogative of the group to honour the commitment of future listeners and volunteers in the franchise area to provide a broadcast service as soon as possible.

We are currently ensuring that when the station begins broadcasting, the community it will be serving will be aware of its existence (through information evenings, table quizzes, presences at local events etc) and that this same community will be involved in its operation and management by putting in place the necessary management committee and sub-committees. The group are also involved in drawing up a programme policy statement and programme schedule for the BCI.

At present, Ballyhoura Community Radio Limited, a company limited by guarantee with no share capital, has 14 directors. As prescribed by the Articles of Association, all directors resigned at the company’s first Annual General Meeting and offered themselves for re-election. In subsequent years one-third of the Board of Directors will retire from office and will be eligible for re-election. This and other rules regarding rotation of directors, are detailed in our Articles of Association.

Having a board of director of this size ensures that the board is representative of the communities and the people whom the station serves. Ballyhoura Community Radio Limited will strive to ensure cross-community representation, as well as age and gender balance on the board.

Therefore, the station is owned and controlled by the community it serves.

The community that Ballyhoura Community Radio will serve is an eight-kilometre radius centred on the town of Charleville, as per BCI agreed franchise area. It extends approximately as far as the village of Bruree, Co. Limerick, in the north, just beyond the village of Ballyhea, Co. Cork, to the south, to Dromina, Co. Cork in the west and east to Ardpatrick, Co. Limerick. The communities within this area are rich in Irish culture, sporting activities, local history, heritage sites and the lives of the people are very closely intertwined with the land and local industry. This traditional way of living, combines with the industrial sector in a strong, shared community within the urban centre of Charleville, in the heart of the Golden Vale of Ireland.

Charleville, where the studio will be based, has traditionally been the focal point of this area which straddles the Cork/Limerick border, from a commercial, educational, employment and entertainment point of view. Today, the town of Charleville has a population of approximately 3,000 while the area covered by the proposed licence has an increasing population in excess of 12,000.

The radio station will operate from a premises on Smiths Lane, Charleville, Co Cork. The studio is in the final stages of development and is awaiting the arrival of new equipment. The building will encompass a broadcasting studio, production area and office/reception/canteen/toilet areas.

Stay tuned for further updates.

The group are currently engaged in much fundraising activities in order to promote the message and values of the community radio station and also to raise funds for investment into facilities and equipment. Recent events have included the launch of a music CD, a fashion show, table quizzes, a member’s draw, and children’s colouring competitions. Funds raised through these events will go toward the capital and operational development of the station.

A vital element of community radio is its volunteer base and they are vital in running events, however, there is more to Community Radio than just fundraising. Volunteers are also required in other areas such as technical, programming, training, social inclusion, promotion and finance. Sub-committee structures are in place with terms of reference for each, ensuring volunteers know exactly what is expected of them. To ensure there is no volunteer burn out at this stage and as our broadcast date approaches, more of the sub-committees will be activated and animated. Currently, our management, fundraising/promotions, programming and technical committees are meeting regularly to advance various issues and activities. In the coming year, training will be available to all volunteers to help each individual to get the most out of their time while supporting the station.

Community Radio depends on, and is run for, people from all walks of life and all ages. So whether you are retired, a student, a homemaker, employed or unemployed, farming or a newcomer to the area, then you are welcome to come along and join in.

If you think you would like to get involved in radio, please contact us or fill in the volunteer form. We would be delighted to hear from you!