The last few years I have listened, in absolute awe of the festive spectacular that is Christmas FM. The concept so simple, the execution almost flawless, the profit all to charity. It is a credit to Ireland that we have a concept as simple but brilliant as Christmas FM to bring festive cheer across the nation.
This year I got the opportunity to go into the Christmas FM studio and spend an hour on the radio as a guest. The festive being that I am found it an offer too hard to refuse. If I could I would do full shows as regular as possible for them, but then they have a bunch of regular DJs who fill the slots each year busting out festive cheer each hour, all giving their time for absolutely nothing.
The charity this year which they are supporting is Focus Ireland, ensuring that all the costs of people texting in go straight to charity are Christmas FMs sponsors, The Irish Daily Mail and E.B.S. without whom Christmas FM couldn’t function. The presenters and sponsors are possibly the most important aspect of the station given that very few would be able to heard without the financial backing, and nobody would listen without these generous and experienced radio presenters giving their time free, some giving three or four hours of their time for regular slots each week.
So in I went on a Saturday for a 3pm to 4pm visit. It is kindly hosted by the Alexander O’Callaghan hotel in one of their many suites. After successfully finding my way in, soaking in the decorated waiting room which of course has Christmas FM playing on the radio, I stepped into the room where the studio was set up. I was on with the lovely Liam Walsh who instantly made me feel at home. Sitting at a mic with mistletoe and a Christmas monkey hanging off the mic to my right and a Christmas tree behind me, this wasn’t your average radio studio.
It’s guerrilla radio at it’s finest. They come and set up in a room like a pirate station of days gone by (Christmas FM is fully licensed) and you feel like you’re part of something a little special. Liam and I engaged in some banter, discussed Christmas eve traditions, read out some texts from the wildly fanatical listeners whom with every text are donating €1 to Focus Ireland. Each year these same listeners have managed to raised €200,000 or near enough that figure spanning the last three years. That is a phenomenal amount for a thirty day stint on radio.
Reading the texts, picking the songs, talking Christmas with Liam, it didn’t feel like we were doing radio, there was a warmth and fun to it like sitting around a fire with friends and family and talking about the things that make you happy. It put me in a massively Christmassy mood for the rest of the week. It was one of those things that I just had to be a part of. I didn’t want to leave come 4pm.
The reality of it, is that Christmas FM has now become a Christmas institution. Easing the drive to and from work, providing a festive backdrop whilst wrapping your presents or at Christmas parties. I listen throughout work to help the day pass by that bit faster.
Truly Christmas FM is an entity like no other, I’m glad nobody else has tried to imitate its concept as normally is the case with great ideas. The station deserves its dedicated following and is truly the one voice for Christmas in Ireland. If you don’t already, get tuning in. Text in to 57003 with your text starting with XMAS and then a space followed by your message and get a shout out from one of the many lovely presenters. The text will cost a euro but will help to raise funds for Focus Ireland with their goal of raising €100,000 for 2011.
There is a big push now for the final six days of the station with donation day on Wednesday 21st December where they are hoping people will get involved, run an event of some description or collection in their office or school and make donations to Christmas FM via the website which will join their tally for this years efforts.
You can listen in Dublin on 94.3FM, In Kildare on 88.1FM, in Limerick on 105.5FM, in Cork on 106.7FM, Galway on 89.5FM and South East Region 103.8FM. You can also listen online at www.christmasfm.ie or grab yourself the iPhone or Android app.
www.christmasfm.ie and www.facebook.com/christmasfm
Photos by Abraham Tarrush
