Wednesday, 13 May 2026, Dublin: The IMRO Radio Awards are back for 2026, opening the call for entries to celebrate the people, stations and programmes shaping radio across the island of Ireland.
Recognised as the benchmark for excellence in Irish radio, the Awards honour the voices on air, the teams behind the scenes, and the work that continues to keep radio at the centre of Irish life.
From breaking news to breakfast shows, specialist music to sport, documentaries to digital innovation, the IMRO Radio Awards recognise the full force of a medium that informs, entertains, reflects and connects audiences every day.
Following one of the biggest entry years in the Awards’ history in 2025, #IMRO26 arrives at a time when radio continues to prove its reach, relevance and creative strength. This year’s Awards will once again shine a spotlight on the talent, craft and ambition driving the sector forward.
The deadline for entries is Thursday, 25 June at 3pm. The shortlist will be announced later this summer, with further details to follow.
The 2026 IMRO Radio Awards ceremony will take place at the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny, on Friday, 2 October 2026.
Entries can now be submitted via the IMRO Radio Awards website: www.imroradioawards.ie
The IMRO Radio Awards are proudly sponsored by IMRO, with the support of Coimisiún na Meán.
Chris Doyle, Chair of the IMRO Radio Awards Committee, said: “Radio in Ireland thrives because of the talent, ambition and passion of those working across the sector. The IMRO Radio Awards celebrate that creativity, from trusted voices and standout storytelling to innovation that keeps the medium moving forward. We look forward to receiving this year’s entries and to once again showcasing the work that makes Irish radio so distinctive and dynamic.”
Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO said “As we launch the IMRO Radio Awards 2026, we once again take the opportunity to celebrate the industry’s outstanding creativity, exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to its audience. The awards recognise the voices we hear on air, but also place equal emphasis on recognising those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make great radio possible.
IMRO is proud to support an event that acknowledges the vital role radio plays in Irish society as it continues to be a powerful medium for connecting communities and inspiring audiences throughout the country. The IMRO Radio Awards honour the contributions of everyone involved in the radio industry and ensure their achievements do not go unnoticed.”
Aoife MacEvilly, the Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner COIMISIÚN NA MEÁN said: “We are delighted to see that entries for this year’s IMRO Radio Awards are now open. The Awards are a highlight of the radio calendar, representing the excellence and creativity of a sector that delivers high quality programming for listeners across Ireland. Coimisiún na Meán is proud to sponsor the Awards again this year, and I would like to wish all those taking part the best of luck.”
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Media Contacts
Kathryn Mason | MASONRY PR | km@masonry.ie | 087-2627977
Dee Ní Cheallaigh | MASONRY PR | dee@masonry.ie | 086-2495323
For updates and additional information, please visit https://www.imroradioawards.ie/
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
IMRO Radio Awards Committee
The Radio Awards Committee comprises twelve members representing all sectors of licensed commercial and public radio on the island of Ireland – RTÉ, BBC NI, and the independent commercial radio sectors in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.
IMRO
IMRO administers the performing right in copyright music on behalf of its members (songwriters, composers, and music publishers) and on behalf of members of the international overseas societies affiliated with it. IMRO’s core function is to collect and distribute royalties from the public performance of copyright works. With a global scope, we represent creators along the chain of creation. At IMRO, we are committed to creators. We stand up for music and the people who make it and perform it. A community for creators, we listen, advocate, educate, invest, and engage to shape a culture of musical worth. We help music creators to adapt to change and receive a full and fair return for their work. See www.imro.ie
Coimisiún na Meán
Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s agency for developing and regulating a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media landscape.
Its responsibilities are to:
- Oversee the funding of and support the development of the wider media sector in Ireland.
- Oversee the regulation of broadcasting and video-on-demand services.
- Develop and enforce the Irish regulatory regime for online safety
