Legacy of community radio in Tipperary to be marked by prominent plaque
Broadcasting history in Tipperary is set to be commemorated with a new plaque honouring a former Clonmel radio station.
At the April meeting of the Clonmel Borough District, Mayor of Clonmel Pat English and independent councillor Richie Molloy co-tabled a motion to install a commemorative plaque at West Gate to remember CBC radio in Clonmel.
The radio station operated from the West Gate from November 1981 to December 1988, and marked the first ever community radio station in Clonmel.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Molloy said the station was very well-known, and was glad to jointly table the motion to have it remembered.
"I’m happy to propose that the council recognise CBC radio because it was very famous,” he said.
Fianna Fáil councillor Siobhán Ambrose said that she also supported the motion, which she said was important to the history of the town.
"CBC was set up in 1981, and my brother was actually one of the presenters, part-time,” she said.
"I have to confess, I don’t fully remember it, it was a little bit before my time, but it’s lovely to see on social media people recalling CBC,” she said.
"It was all kinds of youngsters and volunteers and all different age groups and types of music and all that, but it’s nice to acknowledge it,” Cllr Ambrose added.
In response to Cllr English’s and Cllr Molloy’s motion, the council said that they were in the process of finding a consultant to work on the design of West Gate.
"Clonmel Borough District is currently in the process of procuring a consultant to develop an appropriate layout for the West Gate.
"As part of this work, we intend to identify a suitable future use for the building. Throughout this process, we will endeavour to acknowledge and incorporate the historic presence of CBC Radio,” the response added.
CBC Radio was founded by Gerry Gannon and featured phone-in quizzes for listeners, as well as a hospital requests show for those in the hospital in Clonmel.
The station also advertised local businesses, job openings, as well as information about political candidates around the general election, voiced by Mr Gannon, rather than using information provided by the political parties.
Throughout its seven years on air, CBC featured a wide range of programmes, reflecting the strong community spirit it became known for.