Irish Dave Just Can’t Stay Away

• It was almost exactly a year ago we first brought you the story of “Irish Dave” O’Connor, who in 2014 moved from Dublin, Ireland to America to pursue his dream of broadcasting in the U.S. He and his wife Christine landed at Sound Management Top 40 WNDV (U93)/South Bend, IN, where they did mornings together and Dave rose to PD. Early last year, Christine landed a new job as Media Liaison for the South Bend Police Department and Dave left radio to accept a position as Director of Community Engagement for a local non-profit called “A Rosie Place for Children.”

Now, after a year away, radio has once again cast its powerful spell, calling Irish Dave back — he’s the new PD and afternoon host on Federated Media Hot AC WAOR (Froggy 102.7)/South Bend. He succeeds Zach Miller, who is now co-hosting mornings on Country sister WBYT (B100).

In a staff memo announcing O’Connor’s hire, Market Manager Stephanie Michel said, in part, “It has been a pleasure getting to know Dave and his passion for radio, specifically for radio that serves its community.” Commenting on O’Connor’s welcome return to broadcasting, Michel said, “Radio was calling his name and Froggy 102.7 was a perfect match.”

And there’s more: “I’m also hosting a TV show called Experience Michiana, which airs Thursday night at 7pm on WNIT Public Television,” said a grateful O’Connor, who posted a brief video greeting to YouTube.