Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

19th February 202520th February 2025

Border series: Late-night music on FM 100

FM 100 was one of many border pirates to ignore the new broadcasting legislation that came into effect in the Republic of Ireland at the start of 1989. It used the studios and transmitters of previous pirate KITS in Monaghan Town, that had closed at the end of 1988, and beamed its signal across Northern Ireland. FM 100 launched on 26^th July 1989, with the first live show presented by John Friday (Lawrence John), who also programmed the station. Complaining about the lack of an all-music station in the North, FM 100 launched the ‘Campaign for Music Radio in Ulster’ but despite claiming ‘province-wide’ coverage with the support of advertising campaigns and fund-raising events, the station fizzled out after a few months in late 1989.

This recording of FM 100 from autumn 1989 is of a late-night show featuring pop and chart music. Adverts are heard for businesses in Armagh and Down and an advertising promo gives a Craigavon contact number, reflecting new restrictions on pirates taking advertising in the Republic. The strapline ‘Province-wide: Ulster’s newest, Ulster’s best’ is used by DJ Noel McStay and there are professional jingles and liners. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 100 FM on Tuesday 5^th September 1989 from 2200-2242. FM 100 also broadcast on 103.25 FM in Newry and South Down.

17th February 202515th February 2025

Daybreak on Cork station ERI

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

By 1983, ERI had become Cork’s leading pirate station following the transfer of studios from the village of Ballycotton to the edge of Cork city and the installation of a powerful new AM transmitter giving coverage of Munster. These airchecked recordings of the Daybreak breakfast show were made around St. Patrick’s Day 1983 and give a sense of the station during this expansion phase.

First up is former offshore presenter Andy Archer between 0823-0900 on 18^th March 1983. News is read by Andrew Hewkin, who is on his final day with ERI. This is followed by Steve Marshall between 0845-0930 on 21^st March 1983 with news read by Seán O’Sullivan. Adverts feature businesses around Cork city and county and there is a promo for a syndicated show, Soundtrack of the Sixties.

ERI broadcast on 102 and 105.8 FM at the time as well as 1305 kHz AM. This recording was made from AM by Kieran Murray and is part of the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

14th February 202520th February 2025

Border series: Radio North closes down at end of 1988,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Along with the vast majority of the other pirates, the Donegal station Radio North closed down at the end of 1988 in compliance with new broadcasting legislation. This recording of the final hour of Radio North on New Year’s Eve is presented by Mickey Henry who shares many requests from loyal listeners on both sides of the border, including one who has recorded most of the shows for posterity. Other presenters join Mickey in studio and there is a supportive phone call from neighbouring pirate Donegal Community Radio (DCR).

The closedown speech just before midnight is read by station manager Francis Callaghan, who thanks everyone involved over the previous two years. Although the transmitter is about to be switched off, he hints that more is to come when he says that Radio North will be bigger and better than ever in 1989.

The recording was made by Rodney Neill from 98 FM between 2302-0000 on December 31^st 1988 and is courtesy of DX Archive. Within days, Radio North would return to the airwaves.

7th February 20253rd February 2025

Stuart Scott on Eastside Radio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Cork’s most successful pirate station Radio ERI (1982-1988) began its life in early 1982 in the east Cork village of Ballycotton. It was known various as Cork Eastside Radio, Eastside Recording Ireland, Eastside Radio and then Eastside Radio Ireland, abbreviated to ERI. The station expanded its operations in 1983, moving to better studio facilities and installing a powerful 5kW AM transmitter on the edge of Cork city. It saw off competition from many other aspiring stations and remained dominant in the Cork market until its closure at the end of 1988.

This recording of Eastside Radio, as it was then known, was made a few months after the station began broadcasting, when it was still based in Ballycotton. Presenting the breakfast show is long-time supporter of Pirate.ie, Ian Biggar, known by his on-air name of Stuart Scott. Adverts are scarce for the time of day, perhaps reflecting the fact that the station was still establishing itself. News headlines are read by Ian on the half-hour, the new Top 40 is announced and he mentions that Eastside is to hold an outside broadcast later that day from the seaside town of Youghal.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 102.2 FM from 0653-0827 on Monday 23^rd August 1982. Eastside/ERI also broadcast on 1305 kHz (announcing 225 metres) at this time and for most of its existence.

5th February 202520th February 2025

Border series: More early Radio North from Donegal

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This is another early recording of the long-running Donegal pirate Radio North shortly after its launch in the winter of 1986. On air is ex-Voice of Peace DJ Mark Warner with a morning musical mix of folk, oldies, country and some pop. The first adverts for local businesses are aired in the busy pre-Christmas period. An advertising promo for the station mentions businesses in Northern Ireland, where Radio North always had a following. News is read by former Radio Caroline DJ Ian Akers.

The recording was made on 9^th December 1986 from 98 FM between 0918-1020. Radio North also broadcast on 1404 kHz AM at this time, before moving to the clearer frequency of 846 kHz in 1987. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.