This weekend marks a special milestone for the town of Loughrea and the wider East Galway community, as LCRFM celebrates five years on air. What began as a bold idea during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 lockdown has grown into a vibrant and vital part of local life, a community radio station with heart, soul, and a true sense of place.
LCRFM made its first broadcast in May of 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic that left many people feeling isolated and disconnected. While much of the world hit pause, a small group of volunteers in Loughrea decided to press play, driven by a deep love for the medium of radio and its ability to bring people together.
The station’s first shows were modest, featuring just a handful of presenters broadcasting from their homes, sometimes from their wardrobes, from anywhere they could find a quiet space! They used very basic equipment and scheduled programme changeovers by text message, counting down the seconds to the changeover from one home broadcaster to the next. Even in those early days, it was clear that LCRFM was more than just a radio station. It was a lifeline, a link between neighbours, and a reminder that the community spirit in Loughrea was very much alive.
The station’s journey from borrowed rooms to its current state-of-the-art home began with a simple act of generosity. After a stint broadcasting from a beauty salon and a temporary space provided by GRETB, the team found their permanent base thanks to a chance conversation with a local business owner. Since February 2021, with the support of Multisys, LCRFM has operated from its own studio, steadily building both its physical infrastructure and its presence in the community.
In December 2021, the station took another major step forward with the launch of its FM service, broadcasting on 102.9 and making LCRFM more accessible than ever. The addition of a dedicated mobile app and a rebrand from "Loughrea Community Radio" to simply "LCRFM" reflected the station’s growing confidence and ambition. While the community ethos remains at its core, the new name speaks to a wider audience and a modern, professional approach. Every week LCRFM extends its reach even further, with listeners tuning in from across the world and using the station’s podcasting service to listen back to any show, any time, anywhere.
At the heart of LCRFM is authenticity. This is local radio at its best, run by people from the community, for the community. Many of the presenters had never touched a microphone before joining the station, but through training, encouragement, and a shared love of broadcasting, they have grown into confident voices that resonate across East Galway.
The impact of LCRFM goes far beyond entertainment. It provides a platform for local music, local sport and stories rooted in the community. It provides a space for creativity to flourish, meaningful conversations to unfold, and genuine human connections to thrive in an ever-more digital age. For older residents, it’s a comforting voice in the home. For younger generations, it’s a chance to learn, to create, and to belong.
Community radio plays a vital role in fostering social cohesion. In a media landscape dominated by national and international outlets, stations like LCRFM ensure that local issues still have a place. They give voice to the underrepresented, spotlight grassroots initiatives, and create a dialogue that is rooted in shared experience.
As LCRFM marks its fifth birthday, it’s worth reflecting on what it has achieved: not just five years of broadcasts, but five years of building community, nurturing talent, and proving that a small East Galway town can produce something truly extraordinary. The station’s continued growth is a testament to the dedication of its volunteers and the support of the people and businesses of Loughrea.
So this weekend, as the birthday celebrations fill the airwaves, take a moment to tune in and listen. You’ll hear more than music or talk shows. You’ll hear the heartbeat of a town, the laughter and passion of its people, and the unmistakable sound of a community that came together when it mattered most. You can tune in on FM102.9 locally in Loughrea, or from anywhere in the world on lcrfm.ie or on the superb LCRFM app.
Ciaran Cannon presents The Grey Lake Cafe every Thursday night at 10pm on LCRFM
