Raidió Fáilte

Raidió Fáilte (Irish pronunciation: [ˈradʲo ˈfɑːlʲtʲə], meaning "Welcome Radio") is an Irish-language community radio station, broadcasting from Belfast, in Northern Ireland. It started broadcasting under its current licence on 15 September 2006 having operated as a pirate radio station for some time prior to that.

The station can be heard on 107.1 FM in the Belfast area, and online through a live stream on the station's website. It is broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week and was broadcast from the cultural centre An Chultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich on the Falls Road for several years and is now from The Twin Spires Centre on Northumberland Street off the Falls Road. The Board of Management and volunteers and supporters hope to get funding to have their own unique station building by 2018.

History

Raidió Fáilte was launched in Belfast City Hall on 15 September 2006 when Station Manager Fergus Ó hÍr introduced guest speakers Ferdia Mac an Fhailigh, Chief Executive of Foras na Gaeilge, and Bob Collins, Commissioner of the Equality Commission. A recorded message from the President of Ireland Mary McAleese welcoming the launch of Raidió Fáilte was played at the start of broadcasting.

Programming

Programmes are aimed at the Irish-speaking community in Belfast. A mixture of indie, rock, world music and traditional Irish music can be heard, together with sports coverage and chat. Special programmes relating to Roman Catholic and Presbyterian church services through the medium of Irish have also been broadcast.

See also

• Raidió na Life - Sister station in Dublin
• List of Irish-language media
• List of Celtic-language media

External links

• Official web site