DJ Connor wins all-Ireland Newcomer of the Year award

DJ Connor wins all-Ireland Newcomer of the Year award

21 October 2020

A SEAFORDE man’s passion for radio broadcasting has earned him an all-Ireland  award.

For six years Connor Brennan followed his dream of one day working in radio and volunteered as a presenter in community radio.

After leaving his previous management role and working for Q Radio for over a year, Connor has just won the IMRO Gay Byrne Newcomer of the Year award in the IMRO Radio Awards 2020.

The 31 year-old father of three — who initially hails from the Ballynahinch area — told the Recorder that he was particularly honoured as the award was given by the daughter of legendary RTE radio and television presenter, Gay Byrne.

Connor, who decided to dress up for the live streamed awards in fun lockdown meeting style— with black tie and tux on top of shorts —said that winning the gold award took him completely by surprise.

“Normally the awards are held at a big event in Kilkenny every year but it was a live stream so I was at home when my category was called,” said Connor.

“I decided to dress up formal on top and casual at the bottom just like many of us have done in Zoom meeting over the lockdown.

“I heard them call out the bronze winner, then the silver and at that point I thought I was just lucky to have been shortlisted, and then I heard my name and was completely shocked.”

It was a dream come true for Connor, who says that his interest in radio broadcasting started from a young age. 

“I have always a passion for music and music from all genre and as a child, when the first computer came into our house, I would have been in my room talking between songs like a DJ and recording bits from the Top 40,” he explained.

“I would listen to the radio in the car but I wasn’t just listening to the music, I would wait for the presenter to come on to hear what they have to say. From no age, I was just obsessed about the radio and music and I just wanted to do it.

“There was a real mix of local and national radio broadcasters that inspired me. I grew up listening to the likes of Gareth Stewart, who is now with Q Radio, Gary Miles, Paul Kennedy, Zane Lowe and Chris Moyles from Radio One.”

His newcomer award is a major accolade just over a year since he decided to leave his former job to pursue radio broadcasting full-time.

“I managed phone shops and had been doing that since I was about 20, all the while, I was dreaming of radio presenting,” said Connor.

“I had been a volunteer presenter on community radio, such as Blast 106 in Belfast and IUR-FM in Newry, for the last six years to build up experience and sending out demo tapes and I was lucky enough to get the job at Q Radio last August. I’ve got off to a decent enough start, I’ve been very fortunate.”

However, he says that receiving the award — virtually — from Gay Byrne’s daughter, Suzy, was extra special.

He said: “Suzy talked about the kind of broadcaster that her father was, that he meticulously prepped for every show, every link was considered and there was so much work behind his shows and from day one that is what I have done.  

“There’s a lot of work behind my three-hour radio show and I pride myself in putting a lot of effort into my shows, just like Gay Byrne did.  

“My style is quite energetic and quite fresh I think. Most of my shows are quite showbiz and pop culture based and features stuff that has happened on the day, stuff on social media.”

Connor does the evening show on Q Radio from 7-10pm from Monday and Thursday and then is on Saturday from 2pm-6pm. 

He shares three year-old Caleb with partner Nicole and he has two older children, Ellie (9) and James (5) from a previous relationship.

A past player for St John’s GAC outside Castlewellan, Connor now lives with his family in Dundonald.

After taking his big plunge into Q Radio and with his big win behind him, Connor is now more confident of his future.

He said: “In my first year of radio, I was just thinking I hope this works out as I have thrown in all my chips here as I have left an established and secure  job to jump into the unknown. 

“The first year was to establish myself. Q Radio have been great and they have been really helpful in helping me establish a career. All I can say is that I look forward to my future with Q Radio and continuing to build my career with Q Radio.”