IF the amount of champagne being served at Sunday's Radio Ireland launch was an indication of confidence, then John McColgan, Dermot Desmond, Robbie Wooton et al are very confident indeed. For two hours before the midnight kick off and way into the small hours, champagne, Guinness and whiskey galore were flowing among the station's well wishers who included Riverdance's Jean Butler, who was collared for a vox pop with Father Brian Darcy; Donal Lunny and Mary Harney TD.
Much confusion was caused when Paddy Bollard who works with fashion designer Louise Kennedy, was mistaken for racing driver Eddie Irvine by roving reporters.
After speeches by Radio Ireland director John McColgan and the President, Mrs Robinson, an aquarium bursting with presenters including Eamon Dunphy, Ann Marie Hourihan, Emily O'Reilly and Gavin Duffy was uncovered and U2's One was the first song bounced across the nation.
The whole radio community certainly seemed at one on the night with RTE's director of programming, Kevin Healy, Ian Dempsey, Dave Fanning and Shay Healy as well as 98FM's Ken Hutton showing their support.