IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame Inductees Revealed

This year's induction ceremony into the prestigious IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame will take place tomorrow, Tuesday September 25th at 12.30pm in the BAI Offices, with the four recipients of the honour having been confirmed as Pat Kenny, Margaret Nelson, Willie O’Reilly and Ian Wilson, an eclectic mix within the realm of Irish radio ranging from familiar on-air voices to experts from behind the scenes.

This morning we are delighted to reveal the 2018 IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame inductees. Our warmest congratulations to @NewstalkFM @PatKennyNT @FM104 @Q102FeelGood Margaret Nelson, @ThisisiRadio Willie O’Reilly @RTE2fm @RTERadio1 Ian Wilson pic.twitter.com/ZWSXZiIw9a

— IMRO Radio Awards (@IMRORadioAwards) September 23, 2018

The Hall of Fame serves to acknowledge its entrants for the work they have put in over the course of their careers as opposed to merely since last year's inductions, honouring both their individual achievements and the subsequent positive impact those accomplishments have made upon the wider radio industry in Ireland.

Tom McGuire is the organising committee Chair of the awards, and commented that: “With the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame we want to celebrate the excellence that exists in Irish radio. As an industry we can be very proud of the impact and contribution all four of this year’s inductees have made, not just in radio but in the wider media world as well. They have made significant contributions to all levels of our industry from the local to national both in front of and behind the mics. We welcome Pat, Margaret, Willie and Ian into the Hall of Fame and salute their combined incredible achievements, congratulations.”

Eleanor McEvoy, the Chairperson of IMRO, was also effusive in her praise of the inductees, saying that: "It is said that radio is 'the theatre of the mind' and IMRO are once again delighted to be involved with the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame. It gives us great pleasure to be inducting four of our most respected and revered radio professionals - Pat Kenny, Margaret Nelson, Willie O’Reilly and Ian Wilson into the Hall of Fame this year."

A founding music producer of RTÉ Radio 2 who has had a hand in the likes of Fanning Show, Lark in the Park, Beat in the Street and Dance Sessions Tours, Ian Wilson's induction gives him and his wife Áine Lawlor the unique accolade of being the first couple to both be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Pat Kenny is best known as having been the host of The Late Late Show for over a decade, but the broadcaster has a wealth of experience outside of that, with a career spanning 41 years that most recently has seen him hosting his own current affairs programme each day on Newstalk.

Both Margaret Nelson and Willie O'Reilly are two of the most esteemed executives in Irish radio, with both holding roles of prominence across the likes of RTÉ, Today FM, FM104 and Q102 between them.