Radio Kerry now has 11 per cent of the Irish radio market after completing the purchase of two radio stations, Shannonside and Northern Sound.

Documents finalising the purchase of the two radio stations by Radio Kerry were signed yesterday, with the station officially taking ownership today. The two stations are believed to have been purchased for between €6 million and €7 million.

Shannonside serves Longford, Roscommon and south Leitrim, while Northern Sound serves Cavan and Monaghan. Including Radio Kerry, about 150 staff will be employed between the three stations, which will broadcast to a total of six counties.

Radio Kerry chief executive Paul Byrne said the expansion marked another stage in the development of the company, and was a huge achievement for an Irish-owned station.

"The acquisitions make Radio Kerry one of the leading players in the independent radio sector with 11 per cent of the entire radio market," he said.

Radio Kerry itself recently celebrated 15 years on air. The station now has more than 70 staff, part-time and full-time. Radio Kerry is also in the process of establishing a school of broadcasting at its headquarters in Tralee. It will be the first of its kind in the Republic and will be operated in conjunction with Fás from October.

"We want to identify people with potential and train them, to make sure that we have new and fresh talent coming through, not just for Radio Kerry but for all radio stations," said Mr Byrne.

The station recently invested €100,000 in upgrading additional studio facilities in Killarney.

Further expansion outside its franchise area has not been ruled out. The station has submitted an expression of interest for a regional licence in response to an advertisement by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.