Castlebar radio station marks 30 years
Roving reporter Francis Brennan asks then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern the hard questions during a visit to Mayo. The late TD John Carty is in the background.
CRCfm is celebrating 30 years of outstanding political coverage in Mayo.
To celebrate three decades of community radio in Castlebar, a special edition of the station’s long-running current affairs, news and sports show, , will broadcast on Friday, June 27.
The special show will be presented by Aidan Crowley and produced by Francis Brennan. It will reflect on national and international events since the station first hit the airwaves in 1995. Aidan and Francis will be joined by a host of special guests for the anniversary broadcast.
The station’s 30th anniversary coincides with the appointment of Philip Bourke as the new station manager. The Castlebar man brings a wealth of radio experience to the role.
The pair shared with the their memories of all the thrills and spills of covering politics for the station.
“We are celebrating 30 years of the station with a special . It will look back on how the station covered politics over course of three decades,” explained Aidan.
Former station manager Benen Tierney was the first presenter before former councillor Aidan Crowley took over the reins in 2011.
Francis often acts as a roving reporter for the show which is broadcast four days a week as well as contributing to guest discussions.
Leading lights from the world of politics have been joined over the years by regular guests including Martin Daly and the ‘Three Musketeers,’ of Tommy Joe Prendergast, Donal O’Shea and Johnny Mee.
“Tommy Joe and Johnny would amaze you with their memories and recollections,” said Francis.
Since its infancy, CRCfm has always punched well above its weight as a community radio station.
Its very first political guest was former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who was Minister for Tourism of Trade, who was joined on a panel by the recently appointed Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary and legendary broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
“Michael Ring had been elected in 1994 and he would appear on the radio station at least once a month even if he was up to his eyes with clinics, he would race into the studio and make his contribution,” said Aidan.
"As well as that it gets a great reaction from the listeners which is great to see,” said Francis.
, which sadly no longer features on the station, was another hugely entertaining political programme. It had a rotating cast of hosts including the late Stephen Burns, John Healy, Aidan, Francis, Fiona McGarry and Pat Stanton. It was often the scene of heated debate between opposing political factions in the county.
“Once the town councils were abolished in 2014, really went West as well,” said Aidan.
The CRC team are a fixture at local, national, and European elections with national and international politicians featuring on the station.
“One of the best occasions was the 2014 local and European elections when Gerry Adams was in the TF. Francis said to me, ‘I’m going to get you Gerry Adams,’ and I told him, ‘No way will you get Gerry Adams.’ But Francis delivered.
"I didn’t know what to expect but it just took off and after about 15-20 minutes one of his handlers tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘Gerry, come on.’ But he said ‘No, no, no, I am having a great time.’ And he stayed for more than 45 minutes,” said Aidan.
“Covering politics for the station has been great. It’s been so much fun, and so enjoyable,” he added.
