IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame Welcomes Pat Kenny, Margaret Nelson, Willie O’Reilly and Ian Wilson

Each year the IMRO Radio Awards honors individuals working in the industry who have made a significant and valuable contribution to the industry over the course of their careers. This year's newest members to be inducted  into the prestigious Hall of Fame represent a broad range of divisions within the radio industry.

Well known on-air personality Pat Kenny joined CEO Fm104/Q102 Margaret Nelson and radio veterans Willie O'Reilly and Ian Wilson in accepting their awards on the day.

During his acceptance speech Pat exclaimed "I'm slightly overwhelmed, my audience is not usually in the room with me". He went on to say that Radio is educational not only for listeners but for himself. "The people I meet who come into the studio educate me." He went on to thank the Christian Brothers school, because "it was a scholarship school. So for any exam or test we had to cram and then you had to regurgitate. Then you promptly forgot everything you crammed with and that's what I do everyday on radio".

Speaking to Hot Press afterwards Nelson joked "hall of fame at 29 years of age, I definitely must be the youngest". She cited her proudest moment in her extensive career as when she was asked to take over FM104, which went on to become the most financially successful local radio station in the country under her leadership. "More recently I've been asked to take over Q102" Margaret continued "so hopefully ask me the same question in a few years time".

When asked about the current climate for broadcasting in Ireland Nelson stated, "there's a lot of talk that traditional radio is dead and I don't believe that. I think particularly local radio will always have a part in people's lives. Irish people consume more than 4 hours of radio per day, that's absolutely massive. Localism, and for FM104 and Q102 Dublinism, is very important and you can't get that anywhere else".

Legendary producer Ian Wilson joins wife Áine Lawlor, as the first couple to both be inducted into the Hall of Fame. When I caught up with him afterwards Wilson summed up his mantra as "take stuff seriously but not yourself". "You need a sense of humor and you can see that in the shows that work". This followed his markedly humorous acceptance speech where he declared "I've never been one for awards, but I've since revised that position".

Executive Willie O'Reilly continued in the same vein, "Radio is the companionable medium. It's there with you whatever you're doing. And everyone is looking for someone that can bring a bit of fun into your life". "After all", he continued " life is short and it can be a veil of tears so why wouldn't you want a laugh".