Radio: A Ray of Sunshine

What charity was founded by Paul Newman in 1994? What were the Nolan sisters in the mood for in their hit single? What is the name of Dublin's 28-acre neighbourhood that hosts 50 cultural sites? Where in Ireland is Smithwicks made?

These are four of the 2,400 questions devised by Irish man Ger Gilmartin for the first ever Irish edition of Trivial Pursuit.

Ger bought the game for Christmas 2004, spent a month or two getting annoyed because of the very local British knowledge required and wrote to the company telling them just what he thought. In the last line of his complaint, he said if they were ever going to devise an Irish edition, they should get back to him. Ten months later, the managing director emailed him to come up with some sample questions. He did, and he got the gig.

On 25 September, the first Irish version of Trivial Pursuit was launched in Dublin and Ray D'Arcy had Ger Gilmartin on his show (The Ray D'Arcy Show, Today FM weekdays, 9am-12noon). Ger told his story and a quick in-studio round of Trivial Purist followed – Jenny and Ray against Mairead and Will. Jenny and Ray won. Earlier that morning, a listener had called in to say she was worried about her 16-year-old sister having a romance with a 21-year-old and what should she do.

For the next hour-and-a-half, easy-listening tunes (all pleasant, mostly upbeat, but can't remember any of them) were peppered with responses from listeners and some reaction from Ray and Jenny. Jenny, Mairead and Will are the production team but they often contribute to the show as co-hosts when discussions are needed or when Ray is looking for an answer. The week before, a man in his 20s rang in about being seven stone overweight. Supportive, helpful and sound advice flooded in from listeners on how best to go about dropping those stones.

Ray D'Arcy and co have come up with a winning formula. It's not to everyone's taste but if you want light-hearted chat, easy-listening music and some good interviews that are more than just another excuse for the host to talk a lot about himself, then Today FM is the station to listen to between 9am and noon each weekday. Ray D'Arcy gained 10,000 listeners between July 2005 and July 2006, while those competing against him on Radio One lost 15,000. Tubridy lost 5,000 while Pat Kenny lost 10,000. Gerry Ryan, the closest formula to D'Arcy on the national airwaves, stayed the same. Although D'Arcy has 80,000 fewer listeners than Ryan, his uncondescending, quick-witted, upbeat nature means that Today FM is increasing its listenership and challenging the state broadcaster.

Plus, it was the only daytime talk show the week surrounding the golfing circus in the K Club that dared to suggest it should be Ryder Cup-free zone, and it pretty much kept to that. A precious attribute in the week that was in it. Thank you Ray and well done.p