'People thought we were mad': We went behind the scenes as Christmas FM prepares to launch for its 11th year

The station has a year-round permanent set-up at Dublin 4′s Ballsbridge Hotel.

CHRISTMAS FM RETURNS to the airwaves this afternoon - broadcasting festive tunes around the clock.

Garvan Rigby, the temporary station’s co-founder, says their idea of a 24/7 Christmas broadcast was met with incredulity when it was first suggested over a decade ago.

People thought we were mad. Who wants to listen to a station that plays Christmas songs constantly?

After broadcasting from elsewhere in Dublin in its earlier years, the station now has a year-round set-up in the Ballsbridge Hotel – and the annual festive service has become a staple of the Christmas season.

Getting sleep “doesn’t happen”, Rigby told us. “I will sleep in January.”

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'People thought we were mad': We went behind the scenes as Christmas FM prepares to launch for its 11th year

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

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