Could YOU be the voice that wakes up Athlone? Do you greet Saturday with a smile
and a soundtrack? Are you interested in creating a space where great music,
meaningful chat, and local stories can be shared as the community eases into the
weekend?
We are on the lookout for a vibrant, reliable, and community-focused volunteer to
research, produce, and present our flagship Saturday morning breakfast show, “Rise
n Shine”.
The “Rise n Shine” show runs live for four hours every Saturday, from 7am to 11am,
aiming to keep our listeners company and Athlone buzzing with good vibes. By
becoming the morning voice of Athlone, you will help to strengthen community bonds
and celebrate local life. This is a voluntary role with full training provided—perfect for
students, creatives, or anyone with a passion for radio!
By becoming part of our team, you will not only become the sound of Saturday
morning but also:
. Develop valuable interviewing, communication, and production skills that enhance your future in higher education or the job market.
. Boost your confidence in facilitating conversations and presenting live to an audience.
. Gain experience in managing a longer-form radio programme.
. Make a meaningful impact by connecting with the community and sharing local stories.
You will be supported every step of the way by the ACR Volunteer Coordinator, Head of Programming and our tech team in creating recordings of professional broadcasting quality. Additionally, you will receive training manuals, on-the-job training, and/or QQI 3/QQI 4 courses if you are interested and/or if required.
Key Responsibilities
Research and plan topics that appeal to a wide Saturday morning audience,
combining great music and local news.
. Organise and facilitate interviews, including talking to local guests and connecting with our amazing community.
. Write and script content for the 4-hour live programme and record each programme in a Running Order sheet.
. Record, present, and produce the Rise n Shine show live with support from the ACR team.
. Collaborate with the Programming Department and IT team to create and schedule broadcasts.
. Ensure that the programme reflects a balance of perspectives, warmth, and inclusivity.
Desired Skills
While full training on the technical aspects of broadcasting will be provided, the following qualities would be beneficial:
. Enthusiasm for connecting with people and sharing good vibes.
. Strong listening and communication skills, or a desire to develop them.
. Curiosity and creativity in developing interesting discussion topics and selecting wide variety of music.
. Good organisational and time management skills to coordinate a 4-hour live show.
. Ability to work both independentlyand collaboratively with the ACR team.
. Willingness to adhere to relevant guidelines and broadcasting laws.
What To Do Next?
If you are excited about this opportunity and ready to become the voice of Athlone’s Saturday morning, please express your interest by sending an email to
volunteers@athlonecommunityradio.ie.
Let’s make Saturday mornings something special – together!
