Galway Bay FM’s Keith Finnegan has revealed that he will bid farewell to ‘Galway Talks’ in April after 20,000 hours behind the microphone at the local station.
Keith’s decision to leave the show on April 12 comes after extensive contemplation and discussions with his family, who have offered their full support as he passes the baton to a new voice.
With almost 34 years of dedicated service to the station, Keith believes now is the right time to move on.
Beginning at Radio West in 1989, later rebranded as Galway Bay FM, Keith’s journey has seen him evolve from a Saturday and Sunday afternoon music presenter to the CEO/director role, and ultimately, focusing on the radio program for the past two years.
Reflecting on his remarkable tenure, Keith shared some personal and professional highlights, including daily interviews with local and international guests, participation in the three-day charity event Radiothon, an invitation to the White House for St Patrick’s Day, and leading the St Patrick’s Day parade as Grand Marshal in St Louis alongside his wife Joan.
His achievements include winning IMRO radio awards and induction into the IMRO Hall of Fame, all made possible by an exceptional team that surrounded him.
Keith expressed his gratitude to the talented producers, dedicated team of journalists, presenters, administration, digital and sales team, as well as the Board of Directors, whose exemplary stewardship contributed to the station’s success.
Keith also extended his appreciation to the businesses of Galway for their sponsorship and advertising, and most importantly, to the listeners across Galway city and county for their continued loyalty and engagement.
He acknowledged the support of his family, especially his wife, Joan, and children, Katie and Aidan, and also highlighted the enriching experience of working alongside Katie as his producer for eight years, creating both professional and familial bonds in the workplace.
Reflecting on his journey in radio, Keith shared a humorous anecdote from his childhood, where he and his father built a radio transmitter in their home in Mervue, setting the stage for his lifelong passion for broadcasting.
While Keith has upcoming projects on the horizon, he looks forward to sharing them at a later date.
He said that he was excited about new challenges and the prospect of leaving behind the early morning starts that have been a constant for over 30 years.
As Keith passes the reins of ‘Galway Talks’ to a new voice, he wishes them every success and looks forward to being an avid listener.
