WLR
was started by two mavericks with no limitations on their dreams almost 35
years ago. Both Rick Whelan and Edigio Giani were the dynamic duo behind the
first test broadcasts from Whelan's home in Killotteran in June 1978.
At the time illegal radio stations were popping up all over the country however when their first broadcast went out over the airwaves on 252 Mw, Waterford Local Radio became the first on Suirside. The station quickly drew an audience which would go on to outstrip anything coming from the 'nationals' in Dublin.
By producing shows that dealt with local issues, people and places, WLR became a hit not only in the Deise but to neighbouring counties as well.
The inclusion of Rick's brother , Des, would see the station become more structured, advertising revenue would flow in and the station quickly grew a staff of disc jockeys , reporters and news readers the envy of many of their rivals.
In the following years WLR would face competition from rival broadcasters ABC and Suirside, but still hold the majority of the Waterford listenership. A tie-in with the local Lyons Club would see the start of a Christmas hamper appeal that has brought in over 1 million pound since it's inception in 1978. As the years progressed the need for a legal licence became even greater. Des Whelan had preached this would be the way to go, when some may have thought the pirate roadshow would go on forever, however his
words would ring through as in 1988 Minister for Communications Ray Burke would bring the wall crashing down on over 74 pirate radio stations nationwide.
Three local groups contested the legal licence in Waterford - WLR, ABC and a combined bid from both Waterford Foods and The Munster Express; however Waterford Local Radio would edge out both of their rivals.
1989 ushered the age of WLR FM as the station, now free of any reprisal went from strength to strength. The station would regularly win awards at both the PPI Awards and the Advertising awards, whilst Des Whelan himself was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in recent years - the highest honour that could be bestowed upon any individual at the PPI Awards. Into new century and WLR FM has regularly held a huge majority of the listenership in Waterford and even the South-East.
I am delighted to have the station as one of my sponsors of 'Radio Blaa Blaa'
At the time illegal radio stations were popping up all over the country however when their first broadcast went out over the airwaves on 252 Mw, Waterford Local Radio became the first on Suirside. The station quickly drew an audience which would go on to outstrip anything coming from the 'nationals' in Dublin.
By producing shows that dealt with local issues, people and places, WLR became a hit not only in the Deise but to neighbouring counties as well.
The inclusion of Rick's brother , Des, would see the station become more structured, advertising revenue would flow in and the station quickly grew a staff of disc jockeys , reporters and news readers the envy of many of their rivals.
In the following years WLR would face competition from rival broadcasters ABC and Suirside, but still hold the majority of the Waterford listenership. A tie-in with the local Lyons Club would see the start of a Christmas hamper appeal that has brought in over 1 million pound since it's inception in 1978. As the years progressed the need for a legal licence became even greater. Des Whelan had preached this would be the way to go, when some may have thought the pirate roadshow would go on forever, however his
words would ring through as in 1988 Minister for Communications Ray Burke would bring the wall crashing down on over 74 pirate radio stations nationwide.
Three local groups contested the legal licence in Waterford - WLR, ABC and a combined bid from both Waterford Foods and The Munster Express; however Waterford Local Radio would edge out both of their rivals.
1989 ushered the age of WLR FM as the station, now free of any reprisal went from strength to strength. The station would regularly win awards at both the PPI Awards and the Advertising awards, whilst Des Whelan himself was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in recent years - the highest honour that could be bestowed upon any individual at the PPI Awards. Into new century and WLR FM has regularly held a huge majority of the listenership in Waterford and even the South-East.
I am delighted to have the station as one of my sponsors of 'Radio Blaa Blaa'
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