Shane Smyth is a broadcaster, PR professional, podcast host and travel blogger based in Bundoran, County Donegal, Ireland. Well known for his influential work in the community, Shane is the former Bundoran Tourism Officer as of March 2024.
Through his radio career, Shane has amassed a wealth of broadcasting and interviewing experience, MC experience as well as public relations and event management, TV presenting, voiceovers and radio documentary production both at home and across the globe.
Shane Smyth Radio career
Shane Smyth has worked in radio since 1997 but his interest and passion for the medium stretch back to his childhood! From an early age he wanted to work in broadcasting and has since realised his dreams. During his time in secondary school he completed work experience in the newly established local radio station North West Radio in nearby Sligo which fuelled his passion even further. Following completion of his degree in Media Production and Management from Senior College Ballyfermot (awarded through Thames Valley University, London), he accepted a full time position as Head of Production with North West Radio in Sligo. 3 years later, the big city came calling and Shane accepted a position with the fledgling Lite FM as Head of Production.
Big city radio
Shane Smyth spent 11 years in Dublin working first with Lite FM which then rebranded to Dublin’s Q102. During his time there, Shane was heard daily on the station with the Showbuzz Update. He regularly interviewed global movie and music stars both in Dublin and on press trips to London. He was also Assistant Programme Director and responsible for the all of the production on the station. Following a short stint working at home on the European Surfing Championships in 2011, Shane decided that it was time to say goodbye to the city that had looked after him since 2000 and hit the road back to his beloved home, Bundoran.
Homeward bound
Shortly after moving home to Bundoran, Shane took over Ocean Drive on Ocean FM. He held the reigns there from February 2012 until April 2016. In March 2013, Shane took up the role of Bundoran Tourism Officer promoting the Donegal seaside town to the multitudes. He holds the role to this day.
Documentaries
Shane has radio production at heart and is an accomplished radio producer of a number of radio documentaries. Subjects have included Bundoran RNLI, as well as the media’s coverage of the day Michael Jackson died.
Can do
Shane’s upbeat personality, lively presentation skills and “can do” attitude make him a popular choice for event hosting. He has MC’d many large scale events including the European Surfing Championships Opening and Closing Ceremonies (2011). He has also hosted the World Boat Angling Championships Opening and Closing Ceremonies (2015), GAA Dinner Dance (2015), Lifeboat Dinner Dance (annual) and the annual RNLI Soapbox Race.
Volunteer
On a personal level, Shane is an active member of the Realt na Mara GAA Club in Bundoran. He runs the Inform Bundoran community Facebook page. He has also represented Donegal at county level in the National Surf Lifesaving Championships. Shane has been a water safety instructor and donates much of his spare time to the RNLI and the GAA.
Podcast
In July of 2018 Shane began to host the Bundoran Weekly podcast which releases every Friday morning just after 8am. On it he gives a rundown of what’s happening in the town weekly. He also speaks to someone Bundoran related. This could be a famous singer like Phil Coulter or Charlie McGettigan who started their careers in the town. Or it could be with someone local organising an event in the town. The Bundoran Weekly podcast ceased after more than 220 episodes in June 2023.
The next chapter
On March 19th 2024 Shane stepped down from his role as Bundoran Tourism Officer.
