by Ronan Casey
After 25 years in their landmark building at St Mary’s Place in the centre of Athlone, RTÉ have moved their Midlands Regional Studio to a new location within the campus of the Athlone Institute of Technology. The Westmeath studios were officially opened on Monday, 1 September.
President of Athlone Institute of Technology, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, and RTÉ Deputy Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, were joined by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan TD, to perform the official opening duties, along with a host of media personalities, local political figures and other guests.
Two years ago, RTÉ announced a new regional strategy which would see RTÉ regional operations around the country partner with local institutes of technology, including the relocation of some of their offices and studios to IT campuses.
RTÉ’s partnership with AIT has already seen staff from the broadcaster devise modules and guest lecture students in the sports area, with further workshops in business journalism, sport broadcasting and digital marketing planned for the new academic year.
STAFF REMAIN
RTÉ’s staff in the region, who include long-serving Midlands correspondent, Ciaran Mullooly, and production co-ordinators, Paula Murray and Anne Brennan, will work from the new premises which has the capability to provide live TV and radio studio links and editing facilities. The team will continue to provide reports and coverage across RTÉ News programming and Nationwide from their new location.
Whilst understandably sad to leave their formerbase in the town centre, Mr Mullooly told Topic they are looking forward to the new challenge in a new Midlands headquarters. For over two decades, RTE has been the main tenant of the landmark St Mary’s Place building, which is adjacent to the historic St Mary’s church. There are now calls being made in Athlone for this square to be developed and enhanced.
RTÉ’s first Midlands correspondent appointed to Westmeath was Gerry Reynolds in 1988. Now working on the production side of things with RTÉ, Gerry is a brother of crime correspondant, Paul Reynolds. Ciaran Mullooly took over the role in 1995 and has kept the nation up to date with the major news and events across the midlands ever since.
PRESENCE
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, also from the midlands region, said he was delighted RTÉ will still have a presence in the region.
“Regional balance in news and current affairs coverage is critically important. RTÉ has played a pivotal role in ensuring the Midlands is given appropriate attention in its national broadcasts.”
Managing Director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs, Kevin Bakhurst, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Athlone Institute of Technology and look forward to a productive relationship with a shared aim of serving the community. Regional operations such as RTÉ’s are an important part of the Irish media landscape and a key public service offering.”
