Celebrating 50 years of Downtown Radio
Downtown Radio’s 50th birthday marks a landmark moment for Northern Ireland’s most iconic radio station, already in March we’ve been reflecting on five decades of broadcasting and music from the radio station that became the part of everyday life for people growing up in Northern Ireland.
Since launching in Kiltonga, Newtownards in 1976, the station has become a fixture of the local media landscape, breaking new ground in commercial broadcasting at a time when radio in Northern Ireland was evolving in response to the popularity of offshore stations and growing demand for local voices on air.
The anniversary also sees the launch of our new online audio archive — an engaging digital destination revisiting some of Downtown’s wonderful programmes from over the years in addition to a ‘never seen before’ photograph archive now digitised for the first time.
Downtown is now the longest running radio station anywhere in the UK or Ireland still broadcasting from it’s original site at Kiltonga near Newtownards, although all that is about to change as the station prepares to unveil the ‘climax’ of its anniversary celebrations – a brand new state of the art studio complex at the top of City Quay’s 3 over looking Belfast’s vibrant waterfront.
Stuart Robinson, Content Director at Bauer Media NI said:
“As we mark 50 years on air, it’s a chance to look back at the many voices, programmes and moments that have shaped the station and reflect the legacy of NI’s longest running commercial radio station.
“With new studios on the horizon and a strong audience still tuning in every day, we’re looking forward to continuing to evolve and bring great radio to listeners for the next 50 years.”
Special anniversary show 🎙️
To celebrate the occasion on 16th March, former programme director and broadcasting legend, John Rosborough will host a special anniversary programme, ‘Downtown 50 years on,’ reflecting the stations history and the people who helped shape it.
From humble and uncertain beginnings in an industrial station located in the ‘Co Down Town’ of Newtownards to a broadcasting powerhouse that became part of the fabric of everyday life in Northern Ireland during some of the regions darkest days – ‘JR’ hears from the people who made Downtown what it is and looks back on 5 incredible decades of the “people’s station” Downtown Radio.
Thank you for 50 years 👏
For 50 incredible years, our listeners support has kept Downtown Radio going strong. From the very first broadcast to today, it’s been your loyalty, stories, and community spirit that made the journey possible.
Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just discovered us recently, you are the reason we’re still here.
Here’s to the memories we’ve shared, the music we’ve loved, and many more years together.
Take a look back at highlights & moments from Downtown's first 50 years:
Mary Robinson, Brian McSharry, Moira Orr, Big T, Wendy Austin, Cherry McIlwayne and Hendi in the early days
A very busy Downtown Newsroom in the late 70s
A look inside Downtown's studio
Gerry Kelly & Candy Divine entertain the masses at a local roadshow
Billy Connolly with Lynda Jane back in 1983
Downtown's very own rally car
Big T and Lynda Jane Campbell
Davy Sims getting a much-needed haircut from local hairdresser
John Paul Ballentine's playing his dinner spinners
Another familiar face in local broadcasting, Gloria Hunniford being interviewed
Ivan Martin with two prize winners at a Downtown roadshow
The Downtown bosses celebrating 20 years with Lynda Jane
Alistar McDowell Promotions Manager with keen cyclists
Westlife and Downtown Radio making dreams come true
Downtown's 'Eye in the Sky' sharing up to date travel reports
Local listeners tune in to hear Downtown
Pamela Ballantine began her broadcasting career at Downtown Radio as a secretary, and gradually moved on to reading and reporting for the newsroom.
Candy Devine toasts to the future alongside the Downtown Flyer
A moment in history - Downtown's vintage vinyl record library
Downtown Radio's billboard campaign on Shaftesbury Square, Belfast
Neil and Clare with Ronan Kelly and the Mayor of Larne launching the Larne transmitter on 97.1 FM
Johnny Hero and Miles Goodwin enjoying a cuppa
Big T and Gerry Lang with the Downtown Promo team
Siobhan McGarry interview one of the biggest boy bands in history - One Direction
Anyone else remember the Downtown Radio Coca-Cola Cruiser?
Downtown's on-air team celebrating the launch of their FM frequencies
Neil McLaren and Claire McCollum launching their new breakfast show
Stuart Banford, Kirstie McMurray and Big T help launch Downtown's sister station - Downtown Country!
Caroline Fleck grabbing a quick pic with the Westlife lads
Stuart Robinson and George Jones launching Downtown Radio on DAB
Maurice Jay and Lisa Flavelle takeover Downtown's airwaves
Downtown presents Nathan Carter in Buttercrane, August 2013
The Downtown Den 2009 - five presenters locked up together to raise money for Cash For Kids. only allowed out when collecting donations
Downtown Radio broadcasts live from Barbados (October 2018)
Downtown Radio at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open
Lisa Flavelle and Johnny Hero smile for the camera
Downtown Star Search auditions in Foyleside Shopping Centre in 2014
Downtown Stage at the Balmoral Show in 2015
Siobhan McGarry interviewing stars at the Ulster American Folk Park for their birthday celebrations
Gareth Stewart & Kirstie McMurray celebrate big cash giveaways with lucky listeners
Candy Divine at the Autumn Fair in 2011
Siobhan McGarry at the 2011 Clipper Race in Derry/Londonderry
Paul Francis broadcasting live from our Foyleside studios in Derry/Londonderry
Gary Myles and Kirstie McMurray celebrate Downtown's 40th birthday on the Breakfast show
Neal McClelland with Dame Mary Peters in Portrush, for the 'Pass the Torch' Relay Road Show
Gary & Glen on the grid at the NW 200 in Portstewart
Declan Wilson joins Downtown Radio in 2023 with 'Deck the Halls' Christmas series
Downtown team announce Downtown Christmas - Northern Ireland's only Christmas radio station
Gary & Glen broadcasting the Downtown Breakfast show from a boat on Lough Erne back in 2023
Downtown looks ahead to the next 50 years, as the station moves to a brand new state of the art studio complex at the top of City Quay's 3 over looking Belfast's skyline