Two Westmeath presenters on Christmas FM
Presenters Aine O’Neill and John Troy from Mullingar are among the volunteers who are devoting their time on-air this year at Christmas FM.
This year, Christmas FM is raising funds for children’s charities Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and The Community Foundation for Ireland through The Magic of Christmas initiative.
The station is playing round-the-clock Christmas tunes to spread festive cheer and seasonal goodwill.
Christmas FM, is celebrating its 15th year on air this year, and in that time, it has raised more than €3m for a range of charities.
This year, the radio station has launched a new fundraiser called ‘The Magic of Christmas,’ which brings together Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and The Community Foundation for Ireland as their official charity partners for the next three years.
Christmas FM is aiming to raise over €1,000,000 over the three years to help the charities support vulnerable children in our communities affected by traumatic life events such as poverty, abuse, neglect and bereavement, as well as supporting children whose lives are affected by serious childhood illness.
The costs of running Christmas FM are covered by sponsors, this year – An Post, Cadbury and Coca Cola.
Christmas FM is run each year by a management team, assisted by volunteers who donate their time. Christmas FM will also be broadcasting from The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley.
As well as broadcasting online and on FM from November 28, Christmas FM has a number of sister stations online:
• Christmas FM Classical plays ‘Classical and Carols’.
• Christmas FM Classics plays ‘Classics and Crooners’.
Garvan Rigby, co-founder of Christmas FM, said: “We are excited that Christmas FM is switching Christmas on for the 15th year spreading Christmas cheer around Ireland all throughout the festive season.
“Cadbury, Coca Cola and An Post have returned as premier FM sponsors again this year.
“Celebrating our 15th year on the airwaves is a significant milestone for us, and one we wouldn’t have been able to achieve without the BAI and our listeners and volunteers who have supported us and our chosen charities throughout the years.”
Listen on FM or log on to www.christmasfm.ie or listen on the app, your smart speaker or connected device at any time of the day to hear your favourite Christmas hits.
Christmas FM will also broadcast on Virgin Media Channel 900. Find out all the ways to listen at https://christmasfm.com/listenin/
You can follow the station at: @christmasfm
Aine O’Neill
I’m a movie-mad Christmas helper here on Christmas FM. I have an abundance of Christmas movie facts stored in my brain such as – did you know that most movie snow scenes are created from potato flakes? Yummy!
When I’m not obsessing about movie facts and trivia I dedicate all of my time to music; writing music, teaching music and producing music.
Your role at Christmas FM: Presenter
Why Christmas FM: Christmas FM is an amazing organisation that not only launches Christmas throughout the country but it also raises funds for some extremely worthwhile charity partners, I’m very lucky to be involved in the crazy and fun community.
My Favourite Christmas Song: Christmas Movie Soundtracks find their way to the top of my playlist especially John Williams score for ‘Home Alone’ and Danny Elfmans music for ‘Nightmare before Christmas’.
My Favourite Christmas Food: Baileys
My Favourite Christmas Movie: Home Alone
My Favourite Christmas Tradition: A relatively new tradition (for me) but I’m loving the Christmas morning swim at the 40ft. This tradition started the same year I started in Christmas FM (2016).
Where I’m From: I’m a Mullingar girl, who has traveled as much as possible with a constant itch in my feet to see the world, currently resting these itchy feet in Dublin.
My Elf Name is: Elfman Aine
John Troy
I’m originally from Mullingar (home of the great Joe Dolan). These days home for me is Naas, County Kildare. I have always loved music and that’s what attracted me to being a presenter on radio. I started out on Radio West in Mullingar and later moved to other pirates in the Kildare area. My first position on local radio was in 1989 when I started working for CKR FM in Carlow, where I remained until 1998.
I went on to present Today FM’s late night love songs show ‘Between The Sheets’ and ‘Late Night Love’ during 1998-2001.
On 4FM I presented Smooth and Easy for two years. Since then, I have worked on South East Radio in Wexford and KFM in Kildare, where I’ve presented ‘The Night Shift’ show for more than five years every Monday to Friday. I also record shows for stations including charityradio.ie and All80s Jukebox. My favourite music genre is American Soft Rock and 70s.
Your role at Christmas FM: Presenter
Why Christmas FM: I just love playing all those wonderful Christmas songs and the joy they bring to our listeners. Christmas FM is the happiest station to be involved in. Christmas starts when Christmas FM goes on air! I love being part of something that gives so much to our chosen charities every year.
My Favourite Christmas Song: Dan Fogelberg ‘The Same Old Lang Syne’
My Favourite Christmas Food: Turkey
My Favourite Christmas Movie: The Holiday
My Favourite Christmas Tradition: Meeting friends over the holidays
My Elf Name is: Snowy Elfshoes