From Odessa to Kerry: How IMRO Newcomer of the Year 2025 Yuliia Ryabova Found Her Voice Through Radio.

When Yuliia Ryabova left her home in Odessa, Ukraine, she could never have imagined that just two years later she would be named Gay Byrne IMRO Newcomer of the Year 2025. Her journey, from TV journalism in a war zone to radio storytelling in Kerry,  is one of resilience, creativity, and community.

Falling in Love with Journalism in Odessa

Yuliia’s story begins in Odessa, the sun-drenched port city on the Black Sea. “I fell in love with journalism the first day I started,” she recalls. Working as a TV news journalist, she found purpose in telling stories that connected her city. But on February 24th, 2022, everything changed.  “I woke up to messages from friends who heard explosions,” Yuliia remembers. “I went straight to work because that’s what we do.”  Her newsroom became a refuge of shared strength. “We met the war together,” she says. “That bond helped us survive.”

Seeking a Fresh Start

As the war dragged on, journalism itself changed. “Everything became about war,” she says. “Even cultural stories carried that tone.” After enduring long winters and power blackouts, Yuliia longed for a new beginning, one where she could rediscover her love for storytelling. Ireland offered that chance. “Ireland was top of my list because of English,” she says, smiling. “Although when I came here, I realised I didn’t know it as well as I thought!”

Finding a New Home in Kerry

Yuliia first arrived in Limerick, then moved to Kilorglin, County Kerry, to live with an Irish-Polish host family. “With the Kerry accent, I didn’t understand a word,” she laughs. “But the Polish lady helped, it felt safer.” Later, she relocated to Tralee, where her journey with Learning Waves and Radio Kerry began.

Learning Waves and the Power of Radio

Yuliia joined the Radio Broadcasting and Digital Journalism course, a collaboration between Kerry College and Radio Kerry and supported by Learning Waves. “I remember sending so many emails looking for a chance,” she says. “Fiona Stack, now CEO of Radio Kerry, was the one who replied. She told me about the course, and that changed everything.”

At Radio Kerry, Yuliia learned hands-on radio production, editing, and storytelling. “It wasn’t just about skills,” she says. “It was about meeting people, understanding Irish life, and learning how radio connects communities.”

Creating “New Residents” – Voices from Kerry’s New Communities

Her biggest project so far has been the “New Residents” podcast — a show that began in Ukrainian but grew into a celebration of Kerry’s multicultural identity.  “It started as an information source for Ukrainians,” Yuliia explains. “But then we realised there are people from so many places, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, each with stories that deserve to be heard.”  Through interviews and personal stories, the podcast highlights resilience, identity, and belonging in a new land.

Recognition and the IMRO Newcomer Award

In 2025, Yuliia’s dedication was recognised nationally when she won the Gay Byrne IMRO Newcomer of the Year Award.  “Honestly, I applied because Fiona told me to,” she says with a laugh. “She’s always encouraging me to take opportunities.”  Her award submission included work from her podcast and documentaries, deeply human stories told with empathy and authenticity.

The Magic of Kerry – and Kindness

Living in Kerry, Yuliia discovered something familiar: community.  “In Odessa, we say it’s a big village, everyone knows everyone,” she says. “Kerry is the same. Even if people don’t know you, they’re still kind. That hello or smile gives me such a feeling of support.” She jokes that she’s even picked up “a little Kerry accent”, a sign, perhaps, that she’s found her place.

Looking Ahead: Storytelling in Film and Radio

Today, Yuliia continues to work part-time with Radio Kerry, while also studying film journalism with Film Ireland.  “I don’t make big plans anymore,” she says. “After the war, you just learn to take things as they come. But I know I want to keep telling stories — in radio, in film, in whatever way I can. "She hopes to keep shining a light on stories of migration, resilience, and hope, stories much like her own.

Gratitude and Community

Yuliia credits her success to the people around her, from her host family, now teaching her to drive (“essential in Kerry!”), to her mentors Joe McGill and Connie Broderick, and the supportive community at Radio Kerry.“There’s so much kindness here,” she says. “That’s what makes Ireland special.”  From Odessa’s Black Sea coast to the mountains of Kerry, Yuliia Ryabova’s journey reminds us of the power of storytelling, and the power of community to help us find our voice again. “Odessa will always be home,” she says, “but Kerry feels like home too.”

To listen to the full podcast go to : https://www.learningwaves.ie/podcastdetails?nid=MTUx