THE perils of mobile phone technology were never better illustrated than by the experience of new Radio Ireland afternoon host Philip Boucher-Hayes. The former RTE Radio One presenter was revealing his new appointment to Radio One boss Kevin Healy when he was summoned by the whine of his mobile ... on the other end of the line was Radio Ireland chief executive Dan Collins welcoming him on board.
Boucher-Hayes, whose film programme Talking Pictures was axed in the revamped RTE autumn schedule, will present a show called Entertainment Today for the new nationwide radio station.
He was just one of a large contingent with RTE connections at Tuesday's press conference to an Radio Ireland's weekday schedules. Some were there for personal reasons - including several young upcoming RTE producers who may or may not be joining the new station. There for both professional and personal reasons was In Dublin editor John Ryan, whose girlfriend, former children's TV presenter Cliona Ni Buachalla takes on Pat Kenny, Gay Byrne and Gerry Ryan in the high-profile, 9.30 a.m.- noon slot on Radio Ireland.
Rumours of high-profile defections to the new station proved no more than hype, though Eamon Dunphy, Ann Mane Hourihane and, Johnny Giles were packed into the rather cramped accommodation at Radio Ireland House. It must have been like old times for Giles and Dunphy as the Curly Connoisseurs copyright Gerry Thornley, lined up together for the pre-season team photo.
The chairman of the IRTC Niall Stokes, arrived - appropriately at the moment Collins and Radio Ireland chairman John McColgan were answering questions about the exact nature of the shareholders.
The station goes on air on March 17th with its cult-cred, at least, assured in the late-night slot with the poaching of Donal Dineen from No Disco. The Radio Ireland bosses, revealed that they will be calling another conference to announce their weekend schedule, which they, say will contain some "cherries
Rumours regarding a possible slot for Maire Geoghegan-Quinn could not be confirmed.