Brian Adams, the Head of Music at Today FM has announced his decision to leave the independent national station. The decision comes after a 23-year stint, during which he has had a profound impact on music in Ireland, and given vital exposure to a wide variety of bog sellers – and to a range of Irish artists.

"Just wanted to let you know that I will be l leaving Today FM at the end of the month after 23 years plus , to broaden my horizons and explore new adventures,” Brian Adams said, in a message to colleagues and friends.

"They say if you have a job you love you'll never work a day, so it feels like only a few months' work since I first walked into 124 Upr. Abbey Street on Jan 20th 1997!”

It is a remarkable, sustained tenure at what was originally called Radio Ireland – a national station set up to form an alternative to RTÉ Radio One and RTE 2fm. The station morphed into Today FM, and it has long flourished under that banner – and the distinctive yellow and blue colours that are its visual calling card.

"Since then I've had a ball and the honour of working with such a massive bunch of legends,” Brian Adams added, "both behind and in front of the microphones, and both inside and outside the building(s), and hopefully made some great radio and played a lot of great music along the way.

"However I feel the time has come to shuffle things up to keep it all fresh and interesting before I get too institutionalised and the men with the zimmer frames arrive!”

Brian’s plan is to work till the end of the month – and then to take a serious break, before starting the engine up in earnest again.

"I'll be finishing up in Marconi House next Friday 30th (lockdown permitting),” he confirmed.

"Thanks for all your help with everything over the years,” he added, addressing his Today FM colleagues in particular – but also the wider industry. “Great music radio is always a team effort – and I couldn't have played my part without the backing, support and friendship of all you guys.”

The decision made by Brian Adams comes at a challenging moment for all media in Ireland, and so it will be interesting to see how Today FM – which is part of the Communicorps group, owned by Denis O'Brien – responds. There will certainly be a need for someone to take charge of music policy. Watch this space...