Digital Radio in the Republic of Ireland

Generic DVB receivers generally need mains power, but are typically cheaper than DAB radios.

There are also in-dash DVB Terrestrial receivers for cars, though it is illegal for the driver to watch the TV channels.

A number of public and private radio services from Ireland are available nationwide on both Saorsat and Sky where 99% of geographic coverage is possible.

Before April 2021, 52%[2] of Ireland's population — mainly in Counties Cork and Limerick and the North East – could receive permanent DAB services.

[3] The service began to be marketed in May 2007 by a collective of commercial broadcasters, digitalradio.ie; and receivers to this day are still sold by most major electronics retailers.

This proposed closure was set to take place in April 2020 but was delayed pending review through the outcome of a commissioned report.

It carried ten services: four stations supplied by Communicorp, two by Digital Audio Productions, two by UTV Radio, and two privately held.

[6] The multiplex closed on 30 June 2017 due to a lack of enthusiasm for DAB from the commercial sector and after its licence from ComReg expired.

Past trial participants have included Christmas FM, Zenith Classic Rock & Raidió Rí-Rá.

A small scale DAB trial launched in August 2018 in Cork City, Ireland on channel 11A (216.928 MHz).

Stations include: A small number of unlicensed independent DAB multiplexes were available in a few locations until the summer of 2024.