Radio Royalty Honoured as Marty Whelan Joins IMRO Hall of Fame

One of Irish broadcasting’s most familiar voices took centre stage at a glittering industry celebration this weekend. In a standout moment for entertainment news Ireland, Marty Whelan was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2026 IMRO Radio Awards, capping off a night that celebrated excellence, storytelling and the enduring power of radio.

Held at the Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny, the annual ceremony brought together some of the biggest names in broadcasting, with awards handed out across 42 categories. Hosted by Dermot Whelan, the event mixed glamour with genuine recognition for the presenters, producers and behind-the-scenes teams shaping the country’s airwaves.

Marty Whelan leads a landmark night in entertainment news Ireland

The biggest talking point of the evening was Marty Whelan’s Hall of Fame induction for his work with RTÉ Lyric FM. Long regarded as one of the most recognisable and warmly received figures in Irish entertainment news and broadcasting, Whelan’s honour reflected a career defined by consistency, charisma and a deep connection with audiences.

He was joined in the Hall of Fame by Michael Crawley of LMFM, Teena Gates of Bauer Media Ireland and Helen Ní Shé of RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta, a quartet recognised for their lasting contributions to Irish radio.

Chris Doyle, Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards Committee, praised the standard of this year’s entries, saying the awards showcased “bold ideas, brilliant storytelling and an extraordinary understanding of audiences.” He also highlighted the wider teams behind great programming, noting that the awards celebrate not just the voices on air but the creative people who make standout radio possible.

Big winners from a glittering IMRO ceremony

The 2026 awards delivered plenty of major results likely to feature across media entertainment Ireland coverage and TV and streaming Ireland roundups, even in a week packed with wider entertainment updates Ireland.

Top station honours

• Today FM won Gold for National Station of the Year
• Spin 1038 was named Music Station of the Year
• Shannonside Northern Sound took Local Station of the Year

Special recognition of the night

One of the evening’s most moving moments came with the late Brenda Fricker being honoured through her appearance on Brendan O’Connor’s RTÉ Radio 1 programme, which was named Radio Moment of the Year. It was a poignant reminder that audio can still deliver some of the most intimate and memorable moments in Irish pop culture.

Other notable winners

Among the individual and programme winners celebrated on the night were Leanne Hanifan, who picked up Radio DJ of the Year, and Peter Dunne, who won in the Breakfast Programme category. Awards also went to teams and presenters across current affairs, specialist music, news and community broadcasting.

Why the IMRO awards still matter

In an age dominated by streaming platforms Ireland, podcasts and fast-moving online entertainment Ireland, the IMRO Radio Awards remain an important marker of quality. They recognise not just popularity, but editorial craft, originality and audience impact.

That is why this story stands out in entertainment news Ireland: it is about more than trophies. It is about a medium that continues to evolve while keeping its uniquely personal bond with listeners.

For Marty Whelan, the Hall of Fame honour feels especially fitting. His career has become part of the fabric of Irish broadcasting, and this latest recognition underlines just how much that contribution means.

As far as entertainment news Ireland goes, this was a night that balanced celebration with legacy — and Marty Whelan’s name now has a permanent place in both.