Castle FM
Encyclopedia
Castle FM is a short-term radio station based in Carrickfergus
, County Antrim
The radio station
transmitted twice annually between 1998-2005 and after a six year break will return in July 2011.
Castle FM broadcasts a mixture of music, news and information for a potential audience of over 50,000 adults in the East Antrim
area.
Radio Carrickfergus was a two-week trial broadcast provided by 'Galax' and funded by Carrickfergus Borough Council
to provide coverage of the town's Waterfront Festival.
A small caravan on the 'Castle Green' at the foot of Carrick's 12th-century Norman Castle gave home to presenters on the first day including Paul Buckle
(now BBC NI), Stuart Robinson (now Cool FM /Downtown), Ricky K (now Citybeat), Natasha Sayee (now BBC NI) and Eddie West (now Cool FM / Downtown).
After an unprecedented debut success, the station returned in December 1998, June 1999 and December 1999. All these broadcasts were made from the Knightride Centre on Antrim Street (now museum and civic centre).
In March 2000, Carrickfergus Borough Council appointed Belfast radio station Belfast CityBeat
to provide the service and local radio presenter Stuart Robinson took over as Station Manager.
In 2000, the station relocated to a more suitable location at the time in the town's DeCourcy Centre and rebranded to Vibe FM which launched at 9 am on 9 June 2000.
In April 2002, Vibe FM ran a competition with the Carrick Times to pick a new name for the radio station which would soon be relaunching.
Eventually 'Castle FM' was created as was Stuart Robinson
's new concept 'Young Star Search
'.
The result was a huge boost for the station which went on to attract a record response from listeners and gain awards.
Castle FM launched at 9 am on 31 May 2002 and ran to 27 June 2002. The first song played was "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina And The Waves.
Citybeat provided the Castle FM for the last time in 2004; however, Stuart Robinson launched 'The New Castle FM' as a private venture the following year. The station started at 9 am on 12 August 2005 and enjoyed success.
Soon afterwards, Robinson moved away from RSL radio to concentrate on developing his Young Star Search
format across Northern Ireland which successfully ran on Belfast Citybeat
until his defection to Cool FM
and Downtown Radio
in 2010.
In 2011, it was announced that 'The New Castle FM' would be returning following a six-year break and once again supported by Carrickfergus Borough Coucnil, however David McCammond is now listed as the new licence holder of the service. Robinson continues to retain copyright to the name and Young Star Search
format but is no longer involved in their operation at this time.
On 4 July 2011 at 9 am, Robinson brought 'The New Castle FM' back to life with Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"; the station enjoyed success over the following two weeks attracting interviews with members of the local community and even Siva from 'The Wanted' called to show his support.
It is not yet known when the station will return to the airwaves.
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
The radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
transmitted twice annually between 1998-2005 and after a six year break will return in July 2011.
Castle FM broadcasts a mixture of music, news and information for a potential audience of over 50,000 adults in the East Antrim
East Antrim
East Antrim can refer to:*The eastern part of County Antrim*East Antrim *East Antrim...
area.
Background
Carrickfergus got its first taste of local radio on Monday 1 June 1998 when the tones of Eddie West welcomed Carrickfergus to the sound of 'Radio Carrickfergus'.Radio Carrickfergus was a two-week trial broadcast provided by 'Galax' and funded by Carrickfergus Borough Council
Carrickfergus Borough Council
Carrickfergus Borough Council is a district council in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The council headquarters are in Carrickfergus and the council administers the town, on the north shore of Belfast Lough, and surrounding area, which extends from Greenisland in the south-west to Whitehead in...
to provide coverage of the town's Waterfront Festival.
A small caravan on the 'Castle Green' at the foot of Carrick's 12th-century Norman Castle gave home to presenters on the first day including Paul Buckle
Paul Buckle
Paul John Buckle is an English professional footballer and football club manager. He is currently manager of League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Career:...
(now BBC NI), Stuart Robinson (now Cool FM /Downtown), Ricky K (now Citybeat), Natasha Sayee (now BBC NI) and Eddie West (now Cool FM / Downtown).
After an unprecedented debut success, the station returned in December 1998, June 1999 and December 1999. All these broadcasts were made from the Knightride Centre on Antrim Street (now museum and civic centre).
In March 2000, Carrickfergus Borough Council appointed Belfast radio station Belfast CityBeat
Belfast CityBeat
Belfast CityBeat is a two-time Arqiva 'Station Of The Year' and multi-Sony Award winning Northern Irish radio station. It broadcasts to Greater Belfast on 96.7 MHz FM and on DAB Digital Radio across all of Northern Ireland. From 5 April 2007, Citybeat became available on 102.5FM for North Belfast,...
to provide the service and local radio presenter Stuart Robinson took over as Station Manager.
In 2000, the station relocated to a more suitable location at the time in the town's DeCourcy Centre and rebranded to Vibe FM which launched at 9 am on 9 June 2000.
In April 2002, Vibe FM ran a competition with the Carrick Times to pick a new name for the radio station which would soon be relaunching.
Eventually 'Castle FM' was created as was Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson is a Northern Ireland broadcaster with Cool FM and Downtown Radio, he had previously been a founding member and the longest running presenter on rival station Belfast CityBeat since 1996 before his defection in 2010.He has won and been nominated for a number top industry awards, he...
's new concept 'Young Star Search
Young Star Search
The Young Star Search is a kids' talent radio competition based in Northern Ireland and is the current holder of the New York Festival Gold Award for best global radio station promotion. It was also nominated two years running at the UK Arqiva Radio Awards...
'.
The result was a huge boost for the station which went on to attract a record response from listeners and gain awards.
Castle FM launched at 9 am on 31 May 2002 and ran to 27 June 2002. The first song played was "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina And The Waves.
Citybeat provided the Castle FM for the last time in 2004; however, Stuart Robinson launched 'The New Castle FM' as a private venture the following year. The station started at 9 am on 12 August 2005 and enjoyed success.
Soon afterwards, Robinson moved away from RSL radio to concentrate on developing his Young Star Search
Young Star Search
The Young Star Search is a kids' talent radio competition based in Northern Ireland and is the current holder of the New York Festival Gold Award for best global radio station promotion. It was also nominated two years running at the UK Arqiva Radio Awards...
format across Northern Ireland which successfully ran on Belfast Citybeat
Belfast CityBeat
Belfast CityBeat is a two-time Arqiva 'Station Of The Year' and multi-Sony Award winning Northern Irish radio station. It broadcasts to Greater Belfast on 96.7 MHz FM and on DAB Digital Radio across all of Northern Ireland. From 5 April 2007, Citybeat became available on 102.5FM for North Belfast,...
until his defection to Cool FM
Cool FM
97.4 Cool FM is a commercial radio station, based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, owned and operated by Bauer Radio and part of the Big City Network. The station began broadcasting in 1990 when its parent station Downtown Radio ceased simulcasting and split its AM and FM frequencies into two...
and Downtown Radio
Downtown Radio
Downtown Radio is an Adult Contemporary music radio station based in Newtownards, County Down, that serves all of Northern Ireland using a network of FM and AM transmitters.- History :...
in 2010.
In 2011, it was announced that 'The New Castle FM' would be returning following a six-year break and once again supported by Carrickfergus Borough Coucnil, however David McCammond is now listed as the new licence holder of the service. Robinson continues to retain copyright to the name and Young Star Search
Young Star Search
The Young Star Search is a kids' talent radio competition based in Northern Ireland and is the current holder of the New York Festival Gold Award for best global radio station promotion. It was also nominated two years running at the UK Arqiva Radio Awards...
format but is no longer involved in their operation at this time.
On 4 July 2011 at 9 am, Robinson brought 'The New Castle FM' back to life with Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"; the station enjoyed success over the following two weeks attracting interviews with members of the local community and even Siva from 'The Wanted' called to show his support.
It is not yet known when the station will return to the airwaves.