Joe Harrington is a very familiar voice on the airwaves in County Wicklow. He currently presents the lunchtime programme “East Coast Lunch” on East Coast Radio. As well as keeping the county informed and entertained in the afternoons, Joe is also Programme Controller for East Coast. He recently won a PPI radio award for the show at an awards ceremony held in the Burlington Hotel on the 20th October. The PPI Radio Awards recognise the contribution of Irish radio to the record industry in Ireland and the Broadcasting Commission’s strategy to promote excellence in broadcasting.

1. Congratulations on the PPI award you won recently for your Lunchtime programme. How did you feel when your name was announced and beforehand was there a touch of Oscar ceremony ‘keep smiling if my name isn’t called”?

It’s only on the night when you realise that among the 800 or so people at the event that the whole music industry, major record companies and every radio station in the country is represented you think to yourself that it’s great to be at least short listed and I did think because my category was the very first up I don’t have to wait until the end of the ceremony. So, win or lose, it was great to be there, but it was a thrill to win.

2. For those that maybe haven’t heard your show on East Coast Radio, how would you describe it?

It’s a four hour show which is predominately music driven with music from the eighties, nineties and today. I do lots of interviews. This year I spoke to Pussycat Dolls, Westlife, Beautiful South, Brian Kennedy Emmy Lou Harris, Deacon Blue and many more. We have some great competitions and really big prizes. I also like to interact with the audience.

3. As well as the voice of lunchtime radio in County Wicklow, you are also the Programme Controller for East Coast, what does that job entail?

Well this is the hard part. Programme Controller or Programme Director is the person responsible for the entire output of a radio station and that includes all news music programmes and adverts. The Programme Controller decides on presenters style of programmes and so on. I also have to make sure that we follow the code that has been set down by The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland which includes 20% speech/current affairs and 30% Irish music. I also have to ensure we don’t have more than 10 minutes max advertising per hour. I have regular meetings with the Head of Sales and Production and make sure all presenters are completely up to speed with any new codes and are fully aware of libel laws. It’s a very challenging job but hugely rewarding.

4. Do you think East Coast benefits or suffers from being in competition with so many independent stations in the Dublin region?

Competition is always healthy and I think the fact that East Coast FM is located so close to Dublin has been positive because it means we have to broadcast to the highest standards and without having the marketing budgets of Dublin or national stations we have to be more innovative. Since 1996 East Coast FM has been the No 1 station for Co Wicklow and it is a great credit to the staff over the years that we have been able to maintain this. I suppose the new challenge ahead is to be able to provide programming that is relevant to not only Wicklow born listeners but to the thousands of Dubliners and non nationals who have made Co Wicklow their home..

5. If a listener were to tune across all radio stations in the country during the morning and early afternoon, the voices would mostly be male. Why do you think this is?

I genuinely don’t think there is a policy to exclude female broadcasters around the country. I only have access to stations in or near Dublin and my observation would be there are a lot of females on air ( Aine Lawlor Morning Ireland, Ruth Scott 2Fm, Jenny Huston 2Fm Drive, Joan Lea FM104 Drive, Jenny Green FM 104 evening, Debbie Allen Q102 Breakfast, Venetia Quick Q102, Lindsey Dolan mid morning Dublins Country Mix, Orla Barry Newstalk, Claire Byrne Newstalk, Nikki Hayes 2Fm afternoon, Shona Ryan Spin, Cliona O’Leary Spin, Ali Pearse Spin Talk, Ann Marie Kelly Today FM, Alison Curtis Today FM, Jenny Kelly Today FM, Claire Darmody East Coast FM, Lauren Kelly East Coast FM, Wendy Grace East Coast FM and I know I’ve missed loads around the country and I haven’t even started on news. Tracy Clifford Head of News Spin, Tina Gates Head of News 98FM, Liz Reddy Head of News WLR Sue Nunn Head of News KCLR. Do you want to rephrase that question?

6. Which broadcaster(s) do you most admire and why?

Difficult one. I’ll name a few who I think are excellent in different fields. Declan Meehan has a superb knowledge of music and is one of the most underestimated talk show hosts in the country. The BBC have too many to name but John Humphreys on the Today Programme on Radio 4 is excellent. The late Brian Redhead set an example for all broadcast journalists. Our own Pat Kenny on radio is great and Sean O Rourke and John Bowman are top class. The problem with this kind of question you’re bound to leave someone out.

7. What would happen to a lot of radio shows if texting and mobile phones weren’t available?

I would say the 3rd world war had just taken place.

8. A little word association game now. What word or phrase enters your head in response to these names

Declan Meehan
Bob Conway
Joe Duffy
Pat Kenny
Ryan Tubridy
Ray D’arcy

RTE and they are all really nice guys ( I never met Joe Duffy)

9. Complete this sentence. Not a lot of people know this but I’m very good at…

I think very good would be stretching it but I play chess with my friend Adrian. I go to all of Ireland’s soccer internationals with my soccer buddy Tony and I like to cook if I can convince my friends to try some of my dishes.

10. Finally, what word or phrase sums up your philosophy of life?

Open your mind to change,never let go of your values and when your older and looking back you might get to enjoy life a second time.