Freedom FM comeback: Former pirate station gets 30-day licence

FREEDOM FM returns 12 months after its last radio broadcast, and this time its reach has extended to much of the country, reports Chase Blasius.

Starting Saturday, September 24, the former Templeogue-based pirate station will broadcast in Dublin on 105.2 FM for 30 days with a temporary licence granted by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Freedom FM, which was established as an online station in August 2020, secured its first FM radio licence last year. Previously broadcasting only to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway cities.

“This year,” said station manager Sean Power, “we decided to extend our reach to Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford and Cork counties by adding four new broadcast locations. With eight transmitters on the go, we have one of the largest transmission footprints for any temporary licence station.”

With an extensive library of songs that stretch from 1990 to 2009, the station will cater to the musical taste of Generation Y, playing a mix of chart, dance, R’n’B and rock. Specialist music programmes and features to help listeners relive the 90s and noughties will also be aired.

Due to the success of last year’s FM broadcasts, the team was encouraged to consider bringing the music of their youth to even more regions across Ireland.

Power adds, “We are delighted to be bringing our entertaining mix of music from the 90s and noughties to more places across the country. I know our 28 DJs and radio presenters will get a real kick helping those who grew up in the 90s and noughties relive their youth through the music of those two decades.”

Broadcasting to Dublin on 105.2 FM, as well as Cork, Galway and Limerick cities, and counties Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford and Cork on different frequencies, under the 30-day temporary broadcast licence from the BAI.

The station will continue to broadcast around the world online for those living outside reception areas.

Tune in via the website freedomfm.