Radio Nova was among the big winners at the 2026 IMRO Radio Awards, taking home top honours during an incredible ceremony at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny.
Taking place on Friday, 2 October, and hosted by Dermot Whelan, the night celebrated the very best of Irish radio across 42 different categories, bringing together broadcasters and producers from every corner of the island to celebrate the industry.
Here at Nova, we had a fantastic night with some of our most beloved shows and hosts being recognised for their hard work:
Best On Air Competition or Promotion: Morning Glory's Jim McCabe was absolutely delighted to accept the Gold award for "Radio Nova's Poker Run".
Best Irish Music Programme or Initiative: Nova Guestlist host Kieran McGuinness scored a well-deserved Bronze award.
Reflecting on the massive Gold win for the Poker Run, Jim McCabe said, "Awards again for Radio Nova and the fantastic Poker Run with 123ink. Unbelievable, Gold in the IMROS once again. The legends that made it happen and me who came along because nobody else would be bothered to carry the award. You're very welcome".
Radio Nova CEO Kevin Branigan was equally thrilled with the station's success, praising the incredible team effort behind the award-winning promotion: "No better than Jim McCabe, PJ Gallagher, Niall and everybody else on our team that ran the the promotion across the schedule... It was a great day. A great win for Radio Nova".
These massive 2026 victories add to an incredible winning streak for Radio Nova at the IMROs over recent years.
2025 IMRO Radio Awards
Gold: Kieran McGuinness for The All Irish Music Hour (The Nova Guestlist) – Best Irish Music Programme or Initiative
Silver: Station Imaging
Bronze: Marty Miller's Seriously Addictive Music News – Entertainment Inserts
2024 IMRO Radio Awards
Gold: Kieran McGuinness – Specialist Broadcaster of the Year
Gold: Morning Glory with PJ Gallagher, Jim McCabe, and Clint Drieberg – Best Breakfast Show
Silver: The Trashcan Sinatras documentary by Ken Sweeney
Bronze: Station Imaging
Bronze: The Greatest Gender Bender of Music (short feature by Clint Drieberg)
2023 IMRO Radio Awards
Gold: Kieran McGuinness – Best Specialist Music Broadcaster
Silver: PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe – Radio Moment of the Year
2022 IMRO Radio Awards
Gold: Dee Woods – Radio DJ of the Year
Gold: Hill to Hill for Jack & Jill – Community / Social Action
Silver: A Mod World – Best Music, Arts & Culture Documentary
Bronze: Best Breakfast Programme
Each year the IMRO Radio Awards consistently recognise the immense talent in the industry, highlighting the "bold ideas, brilliant storytelling and an extraordinary understanding of audiences" that shape outstanding radio every day. We are incredibly proud of our 2026 winners and the entire Radio Nova team for continuing a proud tradition of bringing the very best radio to our listeners!
