Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

10th April 20265th April 2026

First evening on Nova offshoot KISS FM

KISS FM (1982-1984) was one of many offshoots of Dublin pirate Radio Nova. This recording is from the station’s first evening on air and features the ‘clutterfree’ format of continuous music and limited talk associated with Nova. DJ Hugh O’Brien reads a reception report from near Belfast, indicating the strength of the transmitter. Nova’s now syndicated service Independent Radio News is read by Siobhán Purcell.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 102.7 FM on Tuesday 7^th September 1982 between 2107-2212.

8th April 202627th March 2026

Early Cork series: phone-in requests on Radio City

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This is another recording of the Saturday evening show with Alan Edwards on early Cork pirate Radio City. This edition features listeners phoning in requests live on air and is followed by Rock City Review with Luke Ward. At the very end are a few undated airchecks from programmes presented by Noel Evans (Noel Welch) and Paul Cassidy.

The main recording of Alan Edwards was made from 95.5 FM between 1823-1900 sometime in May 1981, possibly Saturday 23^rd. Radio City was also using 88.4 MHz around this time, sometimes for separate programming. Thanks for Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

1st April 202627th March 2026

Early Cork series: another test by Radio City 2

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Radio City 2 appears to have been a short-lived experiment broadcasting in 1981 on a different FM frequency to the main Radio City, one of the early pirates in Cork City. This short recording is of Pete Andrew (O’Neill) around 1400 on a Sunday afternoon, testing on 88.8 FM. The main service continues on 95.5 and 199 metres medium wave and Pete invites listeners who want to hear the Top 50 to switch over to Radio City 1. Reception is poor and there is some background interference.

No date is given but we estimate this recording to be from late May 1981. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

30th March 202628th March 2026

Afternoon Delights on Radio Vera

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Radio Vera broadcast from Limerick City from 1987-1988. It was linked to another city station, Radio Munster, that focused on older listeners while Radio Vera chased the younger market. Radio Vera claimed to have coverage over a 50-mile radius of Limerick City, including parts of Clare and Kerry.

This recording is of Francis Jones on the Afternoon Delights show, with a solid gold hour, an 80s music spot and a listeners’ quiz. News on the hour is read by Edwina, there are adverts for businesses around the city and county and several requests come from north Kerry. Francis Jones worked previously with Limerick pirate Big L and Horizon Radio in Kerry. After the pirates, he went on to a career with licensed station Radio Kerry.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 97.7 FM between 1400-1533 on Monday 14^th November 1988.

27th March 202626th March 2026

Dr Don’s Dinner Spinner on ARD

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Don Moore (Dr Don) was one of the pioneers of early pirate radio in Ireland, and developed Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) into a credible and professional station in an increasingly competitive market at the end of the 1970s. This recording is of Dr Don in the lunchtime slot on ARD, featuring his usual zany and fast-paced style. There’s a listeners’ postal quiz to win cinema tickets and new headlines at half past the hour.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1151 kHz, announcing 257 metres, between 1304-1334 sometime in 1978.