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Ian Dempsey 'Was I really asleep in that picture? But I was standing up. Did Matt Cooper really say that?'

The atmosphere of trying out new ideas was addictive and the fearless nature of all the staff allowed us to go on a kind of radio crusade, writes Ian Dempsey.

OKAY, SO STICKING washing machines, bikes and other metal objects to a billboard under the slogan “Radio Ireland – Magnetic Listening” wasn’t the greatest idea of all time, but sitting out in RTÉ it still seemed to me that exciting times were ahead and something special was about to happen on the national radio spectrum in Ireland.

Radio Ireland, which became Today FM began broadcasting 20 years ago this week and celebrated by converting The Jervis Centre into a massive Disco Bar, throwing an awesome party to which even the competition, like me, was invited.

I accepted (the polite thing to do) and had the eye opening hazy night of nights. The next morning wasn’t as pleasant but I did realise that this golden ticket wasn’t the only invitation I would accept from them. Or my last hangover.

At the request of John McColgan, I moved in one year later in 1998 to host the Breakfast Show.

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The atmosphere was fearless and addictive

After initially trying to please all of the people all of the time, Radio Ireland changed its name to Today FM, sharpened its tools and got busy.

The atmosphere of trying out new ideas was addictive and the fearless nature of all the staff allowed us to make a complete balls of something and then just move on with enthusiasm to our next attempt. Some would call it naivety but it felt more like a radio crusade to all of us.

Today FM is an enigma to most seasoned radio professionals because, on paper at least, it shouldn’t really work. A mix of my fluffy breakfast show, mid morning banter, music with chat, more music, hard news with a little human interest, more serious music, a business show and a five hour soccer show.

This would give most programmers the ultimate migraine but Today FM has succeeded because of one vital ingredient: the listener. They celebrate, criticise, share and surprise us every hour of every day.

The can do attitude makes it all work

From day one the Today FM listener has felt ownership of the station and their views and opinions were always taken on board. With social media it’s now even easier for them to be heard and none of the shows get away with any slack for too long.

In Today FM there’s a can do attitude in the air where we always say “why not? rather than “let’s not” and through the last 20 years we have always tried to bring the wow factor to our shows.

Memorable highlights include our coverage of several World Cups including Gift Grub predicting Roy’s exit 24 hours before he headed for the airport, The Euros, Shave Or Dye, You Do The Maps, Whole Lotta Live, The Ski Trip, Dare To Care, The Jumbo Jet In Transit to Enniscrone, Blow Me (a rude sounding but innocent cash giveaway), A Minute With A Million and many more.

Work hard play hard approach

There was always a work hard play hard approach in the radio station and our Christmas parties (and summer, Easter, nearly autumn and any excuse parties) were the stuff of legend.

Recently recovered photographs will never be seen by the general public, a decision everybody in Today FM agrees is the right thing to do.

I mean, was I really asleep in that picture? But I was standing up. Did Matt Cooper really say that? What was he thinking? Is that not Louise Duffy? And is that not also illegal?

There are so many great moments from all the shows and many more still to be conjured up in our bizarre little radio heads.

Along with the current line up we have had fine broadcasters like Eamon Dunphy, Ray D’Arcy, Anton Savage and the late Tony Fenton transmitting to the nation. I miss them all personally but Today FM is now fully revved up and ready to take on another 20 years, connecting directly with listeners as only we can and continuing to be a vital part of every day. That means Today.

Ian Dempsey hosts the Breakfast Show on Today FM. 

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    Mags
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:38 PM

    Ian Dempsey is a legend. One of the last few genuine radio DJs in the country. He’s a breath of fresh air to listen to in the morning.

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    Mute Paul Mcgovern
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    Mar 17th 2017, 8:59 AM

    @Mags: 100 per cent agree mags. A joy to listen to in the morning.

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    Mute James Onedin
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    Mar 18th 2017, 9:24 AM

    @Mags: He is a diamond for sure.

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    Mute Kieran Monaghan
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    Mar 16th 2017, 10:08 PM

    I love listening to Ian in the morning…… I then move the dial until 4.30pm and listen to Matt. Anton Savage should never have been removed from his slot.

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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:50 PM

    I stopped listening to Today FM after they sacked Anton Savage . . . A very hasty & foolish decision by the management there.

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    Mute Alan Brogan
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:54 PM

    @Blind Faith: miss Anton a lot

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    Mute silentbob2012
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    Mar 16th 2017, 10:01 PM

    Today FM and The Journal are both owned by the same…cough…individual are they not? Seems both have management structures that make poor business decisions.

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    Mute David Murphey
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    Mar 17th 2017, 4:07 AM

    @silentbob2012:

    Nope. Journal not owned by DOB.

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    Mute Cranium
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    Mar 17th 2017, 5:15 AM

    Check out who he really is. What company he runs and his connection to Terry Prone , of Bon Secours (denial) fame. You’ll thank me.

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    Mute David Murphey
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    Mar 17th 2017, 8:08 AM

    @Cranium: yeah, he’s Prone’s son. Everyone knows that. So what?

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    Mute Paul Mcgovern
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    Mar 17th 2017, 9:10 AM

    @silentbob2012: here here bob. You will never here them critiquing there “boss” even if he is in most other news outlets.

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    Mute Donal Killackey
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    Mar 17th 2017, 7:43 PM

    @Blind Faith: I absolutely agree; Anton brought a bit of intelligence. I listen to Matt Cooper now and again but that’s about it.

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    Mute Damian O'Brien
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:43 PM

    Ian and Matt the only one’s worth listening to now. Sadly.

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    Mute declan leonard
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    Mar 17th 2017, 8:53 AM

    @Damian O’Brien: Kelly Anne byrne

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    Mute Mia Morrissey
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    Mar 16th 2017, 11:24 PM

    I miss anton alot I have to say.

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    Mute Damian O'Brien
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:42 PM

    Ian and Matt are the only one’s worth listening to on Today FM. Music is now crap. Presumably I’m now in the wrong demographic for them.

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    Mute John S
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:43 PM

    @Damian O’Brien: His show is boring. News, sport, weather, traffic report, a song, some stupid quiz, news headlines, sport, a song, etc. Repeat for 2 hours.

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    Mute Angela Twohig
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    Mar 16th 2017, 10:27 PM

    @Damian O’Brien: Damien I think that I’m in the wrong demographic too. Let’s hang in there for another while….good luck…

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    BigD
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    Mar 16th 2017, 11:42 PM

    Still listen to Ian every morning and Matt every evening.The problem with the station is what happens in between those two.The news about the helicopter crash and deaths have really brought home the fact that Anton Savage is a big loss.He was very good at interviewing people and discussing the news.Dermot and Dave are out of their depth at interviews which seem to consist of Dave trying to play the straight interviewer and Dermot making jokes about what they are discussing. It’s cringe worthy. Also why is Al Porter on the radio instead of muireann O Connell who is easy and interesting to listen too

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    Mute Aine Rooney
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    Mar 18th 2017, 4:27 PM

    @BigD: couldn’t agree more. I don’t listen to it between 9 and 4 30 anymore. Should play to presenters’ strengths. Also maybe a woman between 7am and 7pm would be nice. why was Louise Duffy moved?

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    Mute Alan Biddulph
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    Mar 17th 2017, 12:37 AM

    Get Anton back on, Dermot and Dave are like scurvy for the ears. They are the their own biggest fans, terrible tunes in between promoting their “comedy” over the airwaves, I’m assuming it’s visual comedy because the words don’t equate to anything resembling a gag.

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    Mute Anthony
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    Mar 17th 2017, 12:25 AM

    “The atmosphere of trying out new ideas was addictive and the fearless nature of all the staff” writes the guy who has been doing the exact same show for twenty years. He has lost 20,000 listeners in the last 12 months. The station has declined terribly and the latest decisions re Anton, TweedleDumb & Dave, Al Porter etc have people switching off in droves. But yeah, “Today FM is now fully revved up and ready to take on another 20 years”.

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    Mute colm connolly
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    Mar 17th 2017, 1:37 AM

    Ya I’ve found myself not listening to radio anymore it’s podcasts all the way and I’ve been in the car a few time listening to al porter and he’s not a radio guy plain and simple he doesn’t have the approach to get across to a mass audience he is also too young to be hosting the slot , younger djs can work on the 7-9 and weekend slots as they give off an energy alls porter gives off is a nervous energy and he seems so disinterested in putting the effort in , the few times I’ve listened he’s mentioned strolling in at 10 and meeting his producer and just riding there coattails to put together the show , also dermot and dave are good bit they should be on lunch and Alison curtis should have replaced anton, she’s easy listen she has vast music knowledge and can do serious interviews and silly fun spots , one of the few women that can be taken seriously on the radio

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    Mute Róisín M
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    Mar 17th 2017, 6:04 AM

    Don’t think they’ll be around for another 20 based on current lineup.
    Dermot and Dave are unsuitable for the mid morning slot and Al Porter hasn’t a clue. I only listen to Matt Cooper now.

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Mar 17th 2017, 12:02 AM

    Just remember Today FM you’d be nothing without Iano!

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    Mute JJ O Riordan
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    Mar 17th 2017, 2:11 AM

    My morning commute soundtrack is himself and Paula McSweeney. Also get her on a proper time slot. She’s brilliant.

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    Mute mcgoo
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    Mar 17th 2017, 12:22 AM

    I think their billboard advertising tag line when they signed Iano originally was ‘Look who we poached for breakfast’…..

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    Mute Deirdre mc entegart
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    Mar 17th 2017, 8:43 AM

    Used to love listening to Anton. He was savage.

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    Mute declan leonard
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    Mar 17th 2017, 9:00 AM

    I kind of got fed up with Ians show due to the music content. Lately without txfm, today fm goes on in work and those two clowns drive me mad. They just aren’t funny. I switch it off. I’d listen to Kelly Anne Byrne all day

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    Mar 17th 2017, 10:26 AM

    @declan leonard:

    I’d rather listen to Kelly Ann Conway over Dermot and Dave

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Mar 17th 2017, 11:44 AM

    Ian Dempsey and Matt Cooper are excellent and Fergal Darcy is bad either but Anton Savage is sorely missed.
    Dermot and Dave are just senseless drivel.

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    Mute Eustace H Plimsoll
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    Mar 17th 2017, 3:29 AM

    A truly horrible individual.

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    Mute Paul Mcgovern
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    Mar 17th 2017, 9:11 AM

    @Eustace H Plimsoll: and why would you say that for no reason?

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    Mute The Dude
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    Mar 17th 2017, 11:12 AM

    He said the same about you.

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    Mute Damien Kirwan
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    Mar 17th 2017, 10:07 AM

    Listen to Ian in the morning and Matt in the evening what’s in between is absolute rubbish Dermot and Dave are two muppets laughing at one anothers stupid gags.

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    Mute Brendan Grehan
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    Mar 17th 2017, 5:49 PM

    Why all the articles on today fm’s anniversary. Is there some commercial relationship between Communicorp and the journal.

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    Mute Suzanne Dorgan
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    Mar 17th 2017, 12:55 PM

    Louise Duffy is really good after Matt in the evenings. Such a pity she didn’t get the afternoon slot instead of Fergal D’Arcy.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Mar 17th 2017, 1:28 PM

    @Suzanne Dorgan: she had that slot prior to Fergal Darcy

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    Mute Mark Daly
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    Mar 17th 2017, 11:32 AM

    Stuart carolan wrote a fictional account of his time in today fm. Called monkey man.

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