Pictured left to right at the Civic Reception: Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council; Keith and Joan Finnegan; and Alison and Liam Carroll (Councillor and Cathaoirleach).
RETIRING broadcaster, Keith Finnegan was honoured with a civic reception by Galway County Council.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Finnegan hosted the long-running ‘Galway Talks’ programme on Galway Bay FM until April.
Keith was joined by family and friends at the ceremony held in Áras an Chontae.
Launching his broadcasting career in 1989 with Galway Bay FM, then called Radio West, Keith hosted weekend music shows and was later appointed CEO of the radio station and the anchor presenter of the popular morning current affairs programme. The Mervue native received an IMRO Hall of Fame award in 2022 for his distinguished service to the industry.
Councillor Liam Carroll (FG), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said, “A Civic Reception is the highest honour that Galway County Council can bestow on any organisation, group or individual – and one that is – for Keith Finnegan – thoroughly deserved”.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council commented, “For 34 years, Keith has been a familiar voice to the people of Galway. His programme reached tens of thousands of people every day and, importantly for listeners, they too were able to reach him. Combining social media and local radio has been central to the success of Galway Talks as it helped to strengthen community participation, especially for those whose voices otherwise would have gone unheard”.
He added, “Throughout my career, I have always valued the importance role that local media plays in Irish society. Galway Bay FM affords local authorities like Galway County Council with a platform to communicate our message to the wider public but, more significantly, it also holds us to account in the work we do”.
“I wish Keith the very best for the future as I know he has plans for new projects and new adventures. His voice and the passion he showed for everything Galway over the past 34 years will be sorely missed from the airwaves,” the Quin man concluded.
