“Carrick FM” Carrick’s first radio station launched during the Waterfront Festival in June 1998, the station at that time called 'Radio Carrickfergus' operated from a caravan beside Carrickfergus Castle, broadcasting on 106.2FM, with the antenna placed on top of the Castle. The first on air presenter was also the station manager - Eddie West.
Christmas 2004 Carrickfergus was without its own local radio station, fearing that Carrickfergus would again be without its popular summer radio station to support the Waterfront festival, a radio committee was setup in the town with the support and advice of a number of traders in the area including Pat Clarke from Brypol Electrical and Isabel Kelly the DeCourcy centre manager. They approached a number of individuals and parties including other commercial stations in Northern Ireland and eventually a deal was struck with two commercial presenters with many years experience in running and operating RSL’s.
Carrickfergus Borough council, aware of the popularity of Carrick’s own radio station decided to give a grant to the newly formed radio committee to assist in the operation of the newly named “CARRICKFERGUS FM”
After being granted a licence from Ofcom during the summer Carrickfergus FM 107.2fm – complete with the new name, logo and a higher profile area in the Decourcy centre hit the air from 3rd to 20th June 2005. The station was an immediate success; on-air it had a mix of professional broadcasters and new talent from the local area. Local advertisers benefited enormously with competitive advertising packages – cheaper than ever before, and the listening public had the chance to win big prizes every day. Carrickfergus FM also teamed with Ulidia Integrated College to give the media studies class in the school the chance to create and produce their own radio station imaging.
Christmas 2005 and Carrickfergus FM was back now on 107.6fm, and with the support of even more local traders and commercial radio stations providing presenters, prizes and news. Once again Carrickfergus FM proved to be a massive success having a record number of entries for its main prize a widescreen television.
Summer 2006 and “Carrickfergus FM” is back – launching on air at 10am on Tuesday 6th June until Friday 23rd June, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The station you wanted was back and this time, with bigger name presenters, bigger prizes and much much more.
Christmas 2006 and "Carrickfergus FM is back - launching at 10am on the 1st of December until Christmas. This has been an eventful few months since the summer broadcast. We have entertained at numerous functions, many to raise funds for charities others to entertain at school parties or special functions like the "Special Olympics" party at the Castle Green and not forgetting the Carrickfergus Christmas Light Switch On were the largest crowd had appeared in recent years. In November we recieved our Certificate at the Carrickfergus Business Awards in the "Best Community Initiative." The station keeps growing from strength to strength getting involved in more and more community projects.
Summer 2007 and the station is back again from the 3rd to 21st of June and again we helped promote the extensive summer program of events including the Waterfront festival as well as providing the music at several community events during the summer months including the end of summer "Party on the Green" to promote the great work being carried out by in the borough by the Carrickfergus Drug Awareness Group based in Cheston Street.
Christmas 2007 and the team are back again promoting all that is good in the borough starting at 10am on the 28th of November until the 24th of December.
May 2008 and Carrickfergus FM are back helping the community during, providing the music and keeping the 3000+ crowd entertained at the Carrickfergus Chamber & Trades sucsessful Farmers Market.
10th June 2008 sees the launch of another summer broadcast from the DeCourcy Centre until the 29th of June promoting and supporting the extensive summer program of events organised by Carrickfergus Borough Council.
All summer and upto Christmas 2008 Carrickfergus FM have been out and about at various public events supporting many good causes, from the Charity Fashion Show in the DeCourcy Centre to the Farmers Markets held in Market Place Carrickfergus.
Christmas 2008 and all the team are back with the popular mix of music and fun, broadcasting live 24 hours a day and until Christmas eve, as always raising money for another good cause, the charity we are supporting is the local childrens charity in conjuction with Santa and his helpers in the DeCourcy Centre Grotto.
Summer 2009, Carrickfergus FM are back again broadcasting 24 hours a day live from the DeCourcy Centre from the 19th June until the 5th of July. With music to suit everyone in our extensive playlist. Everything from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today. We have our popular country gospel show on Sunday mornings, revival music show on Saturady mid mornings and not forgetting our amazing dance shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 9pm until 1am. Carrickfergus FM really is "Your Music - Your Station"
September 2009 seen Carrickfergus FM presenters, Lorraine Lee and Michael Clarke entertain 800 Girl Guides and leaders at the 100 year birthday party of the Guides. The duo not only entertained the crowd but they became "honoury members" and having their faces painted, see the events page for pictures.
2nd Deember 2009 and we launch again with all the usual presenters and a few old faces returning to make the presenter line up one of the best ever. To help get the town into the Festive spirit we had several school choirs, a brass band and local musicians all singing Yuletide songs. One of our biggest surprises was when one of Northern Ireland Radios most eminent figures, John Rosborough, agreed to be a guest on Kenny Tosh's Revival Show.
Summer 2010 and the celebrities keep turning up. The season started with Maurice Taggart meeting up with Irish twins Jedward and pop group JLS. During the time Michael Clarke was also visited in the studio by another Michael, former International footballer Michael Hughes. One of the most entertaining moments of 2010 was when Michael "Faced His Fear" of spiders live in the Carrickfergus FM studio when local pet store brought in several Tarantulas and a Boa Constrictor.
Christmas 2010 and yet more celebrities with Eurovision Song Contest Winner Niamh Kavanagh, Eoghan Quigg of X Factor fame and singer Ninette Hartley all joined us in our DeCourcy Centre studio. We teamed up with the Community Charity Company bringing Santa Claus to all the homes in the town meanwhile helping raise money for their worthwhile cause. Carrick Rangers come into the studio to discuss their sucsess on the pitch and their future ambitions.
Summer 2011 and with so much exciting news to tell we have decided to let you all wait to be surprised. Tune in from 10am on the 10th of June for our launch show hosted by????? NOW THAT WOULD BE TELLING!!!!!
This summer we have had several NI media personalities in the studio supporting our broadcast, Tim McGarry "DA", Ivan Martin and George Jones.
Christmas 2011 Starting on the 7th December at 10am we are completing our SEVENTH consecutive year broadcasting from the DeCourcy centre. Tune into 107.6FM or online to hear just what we get upto and who will be surprising us with their visits to the studio.
Remember to check out local press for more details on just what Carrickfergus’s own radio station, Carrickfergus FM is upto.
Carrickfergus FM – working for the local community, in the heart of the community, by members of the community.
