RTÉ Radio In Move To Improve Northern Reception

RTÉ Radio is to change one of its Radio 1 FM frequencies in order to improve reception in the greater Belfast area and parts of the border region.
The move follows criticism from some Northern listeners who have been tuning into the Medium Wave transmitter in Athlone (567kHz), which is due to be switched off in three weeks' time.
The decision to close the medium wave service was defended last week by RTÉ representatives at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, when they were asked about the position for listeners in Northern Ireland.
FM reception of RTÉ Radio 1 is currently poor in the Belfast region.
From 14 March, Radio 1 will swap frequencies with Lyric FM and will be broadcast on 87.8FM from the Clermont Cairn transmitter beside the border near Dundalk, Co Louth.
Listeners to RTÉ Radio 1 in the Belfast region, counties Armagh and Down, and particularly Louth and Monaghan, should retune from 95.2FM to the new frequency.
RTÉ says the move will enable more listeners in the North East to receive its main speech service.
RTÉ will shortly apply for a new frequency for the music channel Lyric FM. As an interim measure, from 14 March Lyric FM will be available on 95.2FM (currently used by Radio 1).
RTÉ Radio 1 will continue to be available on Long Wave 252kHz and online.
(NS/JM)