By Christy Parker in the Examiner’s Cork ‘County’ supplement Tuesday March 6, 2001

Community Radio Youghal has launched a recruitment drive to entice people to become more involved with the station.

The station is run with the help of voluntary and FAS employees but with employment in the region so proliferate, volunteers are in short supply.

"We want sporting, cultural and public service bodies to participate in programme making and volunteers who’d like to be involved in any capacity they wish, even for as little as an hour a week,"

CRY began life in 1979, as an unauthorised station. Facilities were basic, but enthusiasm was bountiful. In 1989 with deregulation imminent, the authorities closed the station, with the prospect of a legitimate re-birth.

CRY Mark II arrived in 1995 with government approval. FAS supplement the voluntary staff and the Dean of the parish provided rent-free premises at the League of the Cross Hall.

But the radio landscape had changed between 1989 and 1995. "Before they legalised community radio, they gave the larger commercial stations a five-year start," says Seamus. Like a pub that had shut its doors, the customers had found new allegiances. The alliance with FAS was not necessarily conducive to creative profit. "In the early days some people came to the radio because their alternative might have been out-door work in mid-winter," recalls Seamus. "But FAS workers we’ve recruited in latter times have had a genuine interest in radio."

In community broadcasting, there is also a contractual impediment in that advertising income must be matched by self-funding. Thus, were CRY to acquire £50,000 of advertising, for example, it would be obliged to raise an equal sum from other sources. This in turn limits its capacity to employ professional journalists or technicians.

With fewer resources and amateur status, CRY needs to be heard above the national broadcasters and Cork and Waterford’s commercial stations. A parochial forum should put community radio in a position of strength.

According to Seamus, a survey of 400 correspondents in 1999, indicated a 63% daily audience, rising to 78% at weekends. Nonetheless, the station has not re-captured its former status.

"We can be efficient if not professional but it is a community enterprise and must be seen in that light," he says.

One crucial aspect to further development may be shortage of space. Operating from one main studio, a small pre-recording studio and a small office, it is difficult to envisage a vibrant, well-organised radio station functioning from such limited accommodation.

While it juggles reality with aspiration, C.R.Y. deserves commendation on several fronts. Its sports coverage is excellent and regularly broadcasts live commentaries when the town’s interests are doing battle. Youghal United’s recent FAI Cup venture and the local GAA club’s winning county ways were recent examples. Both organisations utilise 105.1FM

There have also been commendable attempts to deal with social issues in its afternoon schedule. In attempting to lure local clubs into the fold, Seamus recognises that many groups rely on a few dedicated individuals and may lack the resources to align themselves with CRY.

With the contract due for renewal in two years, he says they must strive for local recognition. The problem in Youghal is whether the community wants to offer their services.

Pictured: Olivia Scruffins, Rose Curtin, Kevin Collins, Eleanor Canty, Liz Stack, CJ Duff-White and Seamus Murphy, chairperson of CRY, all dedicated to community radio.

From page 23 Imokilly People 17^th/2/2000:

Radio has a vast influence on the lives of many and despite the advent of television it is often the preferred choice of both the older and younger generation. Many a householder living alone enjoys the contact with the outside world which can be enjoyed through the medium of radio, particularly the local radio station where news items, chat shows, phone-ins and music all contribute to living a fuller life.

Regional stations are in abundance throughout the country providing a tremendous service. Community radio on the other hand is a rare commodity not to be enjoyed by every town in Ireland.

Youghal is one of the select towns to have its own radio station under the IRTC and the people of the town and surrounding areas are greatly enriched by a comprehensive daily schedule that includes an ideal mix of music and chat.

Youghal has a long association with real radio going back to the late seventies. One man who has played a prominent role in the development of Community Radio in Youghal over the last twenty-odd years is Noel Cronin, a genial Youghal man who can readily wear the mantle of Community Radio supremo.

Noel Cronin was born and reared in Youghal and is a member of a family of three. He is married to Noreen Walsh, daughter of well known former FG town councillor Alice Walsh. They have two children, Alan aged 14 who is at CBS school and Fiona 10, who attends Bun Scoil Mhuire. It was not surprising that following Inter-certificate that Noel applied for an apprenticeship to the ESB, his father had been supervisor of ESB Youghal for many years.

In 1971 R.A. Chapple had an electrical and TV shop in Youghal and through his friendship Noel became interested in all aspects of electronics. Following his five year apprenticeship with the ESB Noel was appointed to the Albert Road, Cork depot and returned to Youghal in 1979. Twenty one years later he is one of the best known and most popular ESB officials in the whole East Cork area, now that Youghal comes under the jurisdiction of Midleton. Midleton is now the control centre of an expanding area that includes Cobh, Riverstown, Carrigtwohill, Cloyne, Whitegate and the greater area that runs from Castlemartyr to Clonmult right up the River Blackwater to Glendine, as well as Ballymacoda and its huge hinterland. In the course of duty, Noel covers a wide area, and is a familiar with many of the highways and byways of East Cork.

In 197? RTE had the temporary mobile Community Radio unit operating in Youghal during the summer and Noel Cronin was one of its local presenters. The programmes consisted of mainly interviews with local people and a musical mix.

When RTE ceased to operate this (temporary) facility, it left a void in the town, so a group of people got together to start a pirate station, known as CRY, Community Radio Youghal. The four people involved in this venture were: Barty Murphy, Tony Hannon, Conor O’Reilly and Noel Cronin. Noel had gained a considerable experience having worked in the electronics end of the business with similar pirate radio stations in Cork City.

A premises was sought for the Youghal studio and Eileen Connolly’s farmhouse near Youghal Golf Club was chosen. The new station commenced broadcasting on July 4^th 1979, and was officially opened by the late Dick Power, Town Councillor.

At the beginning CRY was a music station only but soon it became evident that there was a need to expand it into a community based radio station. Programmes became more diverse and interviews, chat shows and outside broadcasts were all included.

Hospital requests and live coverage of Mass and UDC meetings were to follow.

Up to eighty people became involved on a voluntary basis with the station broadcasting to an area that stretched from Midleton to Dungarvan.

The radio station now had a community focus with its aim to Educate, Inform and Entertain. In 198? The studio was moved to a more central venue – above Frank Irwin’s in South Main St. which became JD’s bar and lounge. The Medium Wave transmitter was still retained at Connolly’s farmhouse.

The ensuing years were used to expand on existing programmes and broaden horizons. The station closed at the end of 1988, when all pirate stations were closed down by order of the Government.

Youghal had got accustomed to having its own radio station and was determined that it would have its own community radio station, within the parameters laid down by the newly formed IRTC

A local campaign spearheaded by Noel Cronin, Jim Fitzgerald, Seamus Murphy, and Barty Murphy was put in operation and after 8 years of lobbying success was on the cards. A new company was formed Youghal Communications Ltd with 12 directors chosen from the different community groups in the town. Fundraising had commenced and a most generous response followed from a door-to-door collection in the town. Equipment was purchased and the new station aptly known as C.R.Y. went on the air on September 13^th 1995.

CRY was one of 6 pilot community radio projects launched by the IRTC. Initially the time span was for 6 months, this was later extended to 18 months. So impressive was the new radio station that a further extension to 5 years was given. It is now obvious that Community Radio Youghal is here to stay. It broadcasts each day including Sunday – Weekdays the times are 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-9-pm and Sunday 9am-7pm. All of the presenters are employed on a voluntary basis and FAS workers carry out research and development work in programming. The station is always looking for volunteers for promotional work. The station manager is Kevin Collins while a programme committee is appointed by the Board of Directors. Noel Cronin is a member of the Board and is also technical technician to the station.

Tune into CRY on Saturday mornings and you will catch Noel and his rural report show from 10am to midday. The programme is comprehensive in its content and included reports on the happenings and events from many of the areas surrounding Youghal. Jim Carrig reports from Knockanore, Kevin Gallagher for Ardmore and Eddie Moloney from Clashmore and among other areas reported are Ballymacoda – John McCarthy and Inch – Paddy McGrath.

There are also items of special interest. John Young from Dungarvan does a regular slot on maritime history while Mary Pedder Daly has an arts and theatre review. Michael McKenna gives seasonal talks on gardening while the magazine programme catches up on urban happenings of Youghal.

The programme style is generally light-hearted with a generous sprinkling of music to suit all tastes, and requests and dedications are also included. Noel Cronin grew up with radio which he prefers to television. You can listen to radio and still do other things as well, explains Noel.

CRY has benefited from the enthusiasm and dynamic approach of Noel Cronin who believes that radio plays an important role in our lives. So many household people depend on it. Community Radio Youghal is doing a fine job and Noel Cronin had a unique approach.

Pictured: The first day of licensed broadcasting at Community Radio Youghal (CRY 105.1fm) in 1995 was a historic occasion for Noel Cronin and fellow radio enthusiasts. Included in photo are Christy Cooney IRTC, Michael Ahern TD, Cllr Denis Murphy Chairman Youghal UDC, Jim Fitzgerald Chairman Youghal Communications and Noel Cronin.