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Country station TTTR at Christmas 1981

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Country station TTTR at Christmas 1981
Photo of TTTR studio in 1982 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Treble TR (also written as TTTR) was a country and Irish station broadcasting from Dublin from spring 1981 until the end of 1988. TTTR began on 945 kHz AM, announcing 317 metres, adding FM from 1983. A second AM frequency on 891 kHz was added in 1987. TTTR carved out a specialist niche in the Dublin market and held its own until it closed at the end of 1988.

This recording of TTTR at Christmas 1981 features two unidentified DJs playing country tunes, interspersed with adverts for businesses in Dublin and surrounding areas. It was made by Kieran Murray from 945 kHz at around 1500 on 28th December 1981 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Audio quality is fair due to a combination of a weak AM signal, cassette degradation and co-channel interference on the frequency due to the time of year.

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Dublin Community Radio at Christmas 1981

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Dublin Community Radio at Christmas 1981

The original Dublin Community Radio (DCR) had its origins in Downtown Community Radio, which was set up by long-time radio anorak Joe King in 1979 in the south Dublin suburb of Ringsend. It was renamed Dublin Community Radio after moving from a community hall to a shed behind Joe’s house and later transferred to better premises in Gardner Street in the city centre. DCR claimed to be the first community radio station in Dublin, making links with several community groups and broadcasting specialist shows. DCR broadcast on 963 kHz, announcing 312 metres, as well as FM. There is no known link with a later DCR, set up on FM only in 1984.

This airchecked recording from Christmas 1981 begins with the end of the Golden Years show presented by an unidentified DJ. He hands over to another presenter who continues the music and has various community announcements. There are scratchy sounding adverts and station liners voiced by Tony Allan (RIP), referring to DCR as ‘Dublin’s first and only community radio station’. Other identified DJs on the recording are Mike Sheridan, who makes a questionable decision to sing ‘Jingle Bells’ live on air, and Paul Caffrey.

The tape was made by Kieran Murray from 98.4 FM between 1600-2000 on 27th December 1981 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Audio quality is fair due to an aging cassette and possible issues with studio output at the time.

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Island Radio on St. Stephen’s Day 1981

Island Radio on St. Stephen's Day 1981

Island Radio was a short-lived pirate broadcasting from the Dalkey area of south Dublin in late 1981 and 1982. It launched as an FM operation only but later added AM due to the reality of radio listening at the time. The station tried out a format of album tracks only and DJs were expected to bring quality music for their shows. Island Radio never really got off the ground though and was closed in early 1982 after objections from local residents.

This recording is of Island Radio on St. Stephen’s Day 1981, just two weeks after its launch. First up is Tony Adams and he is followed by Tommy Greene, who continues to broadcast today on licensed Wicklow station East Coast FM. There are sung jingles and a live-read advert for a local business. 229 metres (1314 kHz) is mentioned, a frequency that was logged by DX Archive at the time.

The airchecked recording was made by Kieran Murray on 26th December 1981 from 98.1 FM beginning after 1500 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

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Early Cork series: Christmas 1980 on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Christmas 1980 on Radio City
L-R: Eric Hansen (John Creedon) and Alan Reid (Henry Condon, RIP) at Radio City (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

The Cork pirate Radio City celebrated its first Christmas on air in 1980, 4 months after going on the air. This recording from that day features a lively show with Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) who is joined in studio by John Mariner and Eric Hansen (John Creedon, now of RTÉ). There are plenty of Christmas greetings from listeners, including live callers, some of whom are related to the DJs. Karl and the others are followed by Hospital Radio Special with Pete Andrews (O’Neill) and Susan James (O’Neill), who are joined later by Mike Cagney. The programme includes Christmas music, more requests and pre-recorded interviews.

Early Cork series: Christmas 1980 on Radio City
Susan James (O’Connor) at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

The airchecked recording was made from 95.7 FM between approximately 1200-1500 on 25th December 1980. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Early Cork series: More Christmas Day on Radio City

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Early Cork series: More Christmas Day on Radio City
Pat O’Rourke in festive mood at Christmas 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This additional recording from Christmas Day 1980 on Cork pirate Radio City features popular DJ Pat ‘the Smurf’ O’Rourke, complete with canned Smurf laughter. Pat shares requests from listeners and reads out a letter from number one fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue). He is followed by Steve Douglas and Luke Ward, who promise an interview with Bono of U2. Audio quality is fair with some variation in levels and there are issues with the microphone at times.  

The partially airchecked recording runs from around 1600-1825 on 25th December 1980 and was recorded from 95.7 FM. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.