Munster Technological University has been awarded a community radio broadcast licence by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The licence affords MTU¿Kerry Campus its inaugural FM radio station, and broadcasting will take place from its North Campus studio in Tralee. Head of School of Business, Computing and Humanities, Ms Mary Rose Stafford said “I welcome the initiative as a fantastic opportunity for students to foster the expertise garnered as part of their Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in TV, Radio and New Media. Community radio offers another model of radio broadcasting¿ alongside national broadcasters such as RTÉ and regional radio stations like Radio Kerry. While the transmission of community radio is bounded, the station is expected to reach most of the Tralee area. “

The Department of Creative Media has a long history in nurturing creativity, with its Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design also offered as part of its suite of programmes. Paul Collins, Head of Department, described the station “This is another exciting chapter in the Department's development¿expanding the current online radio programme offering on Campus. The Department also delivers online TV programming in cooperation with local community groups, and enjoys a great relationship with Radio Kerry through its integrated crafted radio initiative.”

Course Lecturer, Dr. Donnacha Toomey, also welcomed the development, adding “The new station will allow students to experience the dynamism of live broadcasting. FM radio remains a hugely popular broadcast medium, appealing to a wide demographic. The station will broadcast within a number of programme formats including magazine, arts and entertainment, and specialist features. It is envisaged that the new station will pave the way for the broadcasting professionals of the future”.

The radio society has a proven track record at the University, having won a number of BIC (Board of Irish College Societies) awards for their in-house broadcasts to date¿ “we are extremely happy to have a licence to broadcast in the broader Tralee area, it has been the ultimate aim of the society”. Students were involved in all stages of the project development cycle from concept, through to conducting pilot broadcasts. Mr. Liam McCarthy, technical multi-media expert with the University, oversaw the technical development of the station. The station will operate on a frequency of 104.3 MHz and will broadcast on appointed dates only. Further information of broadcast dates will be published through the college website and social media platforms.