The Press

Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) (click on most photos to enlarge)

Until May, 1979, there was only one radio station in Ireland, RTE. That all changed when they launched RTE Radio 2, now known as 2FM. Click here for audio of station opening. Unlike RTE 1, which featured programming that tried to cater to everyone who lived in Ireland, RTE 2 was geared towards young people, and became the home to many DJ's who helped further promote Ireland's own pop and country talent. Click here to listen to RTE 2FM live. When RTE Radio 2 took to the airwaves, the DJ's were (where they are now): Larry Gogan (2FM), Jimmy Greeley (98FM), Ronan Collins (RTE Radio 1), Jim O'Neill (Today FM), Marty Whelan (RTE Radio 1), Dave Fanning (2FM), Marian Richardson (RTE 1 Producer), Ruth Buchanan (RTE Radio 1), Arthur Murphy (unknown), Paul Clark (UTV), Ken Stewart (unknown), Barry Lang (flying), Bryan Day (unknown), Mark Cagney (TV3-Ireland), Brendan Balfe (RTE Radio 1), Ciana Campbell (RTE TV 1), Ian Dempsey (Today FM), Pascal Mooney (Irish Senator), Gerry Ryan (2FM-RIP-May, 2010), Val Joyce (RTE Radio 1), Vincent Hanley (deceased), Pat Kenny (RTE Radio 1), Michael McNamara (Lyric FM), Dave Heffernan (Solas AM), Sean Ban Breathnach (Raidio na Gaeltachta), Pat Butler (RTE TV), and Aine Hensey (RTE Radio 1). 

Spotlight/Starlight Magazine

Although now gone, Spotlight magazine (renamed New Spotlight and then Starlight) provided a weekly update on all things entertainment in Ireland and across the world. It advertised itself as "Ireland's No. 1 Young Entertainment Weekly" and was a source of news about your favorite Irish acts. A search of the Internet today has turned up no information on the magazine or its history except for quotes from articles such as we have here on our site. One of the most interesting columns for bands was "Boyd's Eye View," a weekly travelogue compiled by Julie Boyd. It was not uncommon to find Julie thumbing a lift from one dance to another or bump into her almost anywhere in the country as she traveled around writing about the band scene in Ireland.      

RTE Guide

Started in 1961 as the RTV Guide, the Guide was primarily a source for TV and Radio schedule information. However, the RTE Guide has always featured stories about Irish entertainers. The photo on the left is the 21st Anniversary Edition. In the late 1970's and early 1980's, Brendan Martin (photo on right) contributed a regular column called "Sound & Vision" which covered the music scene, both domestic and international. Brendan reviewed singles and artists and was extremely helpful to many Irish acts. Unfortunately, we do not not know how long Brendan did his column in the Guide, or where he is today. However, the RTE Guide was one of the main sources for publicity for many pop bands which played the circuit in the 60's, 70's and 80's.    

Woman's Way

Woman's Way magazine was, and still is, one of the top selling weekly magazines in Ireland. The publication features everything you would expect from a woman's weekly. Thomas Myler's "The Fun Scene" was a weekly column which covered music, films, books, and everything else involved with entertainment. Although Thomas usually focused on international stars, he occasionally gave some coverage to Irish entertainers as well. We're not sure if Thomas still writes for Woman's Way, but we think he is still a contributing writer to the Irish Independent newspaper covering boxing and other sports.

Entertainment News

Entertainmnent News was a weekly publication from Top Rank Entertainment based in Bree, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan. Although the glossy magazine heavily featured artists managed by Top Rank, it also made room for a wide variety of domestic and international entertainers. Pictured on the cover (left) is Chips, one of Ireland's top pop bands during the 70's and 80's. In fact, Lynda Martin (second from left) went on to win the Eurovision song contest in 1992 with the song, "Why Me?" The main person behind Top Rank was Tony Loughman, who is no longer involved in the music scene (we think). Entertainment Newsd was an ambitious endeavor with thirty pages of entertainment news priced at just 30p. We do not know when the publication stopped, but it benefited a wide range of artists in its day. By the way, Michael Cummins, a good friend of Kim and the band, contributed to the publication regularly with his column, "The Western Front." Senator Pascal Mooney also contributed to the magazine.  

Hot Press

Introduced in 1977, Hot Press was dedicated almost exclusively to rock music in its early years. The 1981 Yearbook (pictured left) included listings for Record Companies, Bands, Record Shops, Venues, Festivals, The Folk Circuit, Promoters, Agents, Equipment, Recording Services, Media, and Hi-Fi Shops. Today, the magazine has expanded to include all forms of entertainment, including "current affairs, cinema, sport, humour, books, fashion, politics, sex – everything that matters – all receive the inimitable Hot Press treatment." (quoted from  their website). Click here to visit. Generally, Hot Press had little time for the "showband" scene, but did (from time to time) feature some of the more progressive pop groups that were on the circuit.