26/08/2026
We really enjoyed working on this fascinating history of Downtown Radio!
50 years ago in 1976, Downtown Radio hit the airwaves. A new book, by Ivan Martin and John Rosborough tell the story of the station and the broadcasters that made Downtown Radio such a success.
Many thanks to Ivan and John who visited us and donated a copy to the library.
‘It was a pleasure to meet with Ivan and John to talk about the fascinating social and cultural insights captured in their book charting the history of Downtown Radio as it marks its 50th anniversary. We are always delighted to receive donations to enrich our local studies collections, and It Brought a Smile to Your Ear is a great addition which I am sure will be well used now and in the future.’ Samantha McCombe, Librarian, The Linen Hall
‘We are delighted to donate this book to The Linen Hall. Issued to coincide with Downtown’s Radio’s 50th Birthday, the book tells the story from the beginning of Radio in Belfast as far back as 1924, to the arrival of Independent Local Radio as an alternative to the BBC, the preparations for the launch on March 16th, 1976, and the five decades that followed right through to the present day.
Both Ivan and I know the station from the inside; Ivan was the host of the breakfast programme ‘First Edition’ with Richard Young over two decades, and I was the Head of Programming for 21 years up to the year 2000.
We met a range of former Downtown people, who shared recollections of their days in Newtownards when the station provided a fast and reliable news service in what were difficult times, along with the entertainment needed as a counterbalance to lift the mood of the audience.’ - John Rosborough, Author of ‘It Brought A Smile To Your Ear’
