A new Irish digital-only radio station called PLAYIRISH will be launched this weekend to promote and showcase different genres of Irish music as well as established and up-and-coming Irish artists.
PLAYIRISH will be available on the popular Radioplayer app as well as online at www.playirish.ie.
The not-for-profit venture is a collaboration between a number of industry stakeholders and music and radio professionals including Sinead Troy (Irish Association of Songwriters & Composers & Yangaroo Music), Peter McPartlin (former CEO of Today FM & TXFM), Liam Thompson (Magic FM Virgin Radio UK, Red FM, Communicorp & iRadio) and Angela Dorgan (First Music Contact & Music from Ireland). The new venture has also received backing and support from the BAI, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, RTÉ, Digisoft.tv and Rothco | Accenture Interactive.
“Every serious music city or territory has its own small but cool radio station that champions new and exciting music, whether it’s BBC6 Music, KEXP in Seattle, or FluxFm in Germany. PLAYIRISH will be ours to champion Irish music at home and internationally,” says Sinead Troy.
PLAYIRISH has been joined by a number of brand partners for launch, including the telecommunications company eir. In the future the station hopes to collaborate with other brands as it seeks to cover its running costs.
“eir has a proud tradition of supporting Irish music over the years. There is a whole new wave of Irish music happening at the moment and we have already got behind bands such as Chasing Abbey and Wild Youth in our recent campaigns. We’re delighted to help make this PLAYIRISH radio initiative possible,” says Susan Brady, Managing Director, CSB Marketing, eir.
Scott Williams, Chairperson of the Irish Radioplayer adds: “We are delighted to be working with IASCA and provide a space for Irish music on the Irish Radioplayer. There is no shortage of musical and creative talent in Ireland and the Irish Radioplayer and PlayIrish will provide a platform to bring new and emerging artists to a whole new audience. The inclusion of a dedicated channel for Irish music on the Irish Radioplayer will further enhance the support that Irish radio provides for Irish music.”
