Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

3rd December 20251st December 2025

Margaretta D’Arcy on Radio Pirate Woman

Radio Pirate Woman was one of Ireland’s unique pirate radio stations, run by activist and dramatist Margaretta D’Arcy (RIP) from her home in Galway. It began as Women’s Scéal Radio in 1987 but changed its name to Radio Pirate Woman in 1989 to underline its illegal status in the new era after the introduction of new broadcasting legislation. The technical set-up was very basic and there was no studio as such, with women sitting around Margaretta’s table and discussing the news of the day. The low-powered FM transmitter covered only the city centre, but although Radio Pirate Woman’s geographical reach was limited, it was known in feminist and activist circles way beyond Galway.

In this recording, Margaretta is heard presenting a late-night programme with esoteric music and news items about women’s issues and human rights. She calls it ‘a bit of a random radio’ as she attempts to fix technical problems and rewinds cassettes on the air. Due to interference caused to her neighbour’s television, Margaretta announces that she is changing her broadcasting times to avoid upset. The recording ends with part of a cassette from WINGS (Women’s International News Gathering Service) based in Austin, Texas, a common feature on the station.

The tape was made from 102 FM on 26^th November 1999 between 0015-0100 and is courtesy of John Breslin. Radio Pirate Woman continued intermittently until about 2010 and Margaretta D’Arcy died in 2025 at the age of 91.

1st December 202516th November 2025

Border series: Brief return of Breffni Radio in 1989

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Breffni Community Radio, later Breffni Regional Radio, broadcast from Kilnaleck in Co. Cavan from the end of 1984 until the end of 1988, one of several successful border stations playing mostly country and Irish music. After applying unsuccessfully for a licence, Breffni returned to the airwaves for a few weeks in late 1989.

As reported in the newsletter Newsline Ireland produced by Rodney Neill, the station was first heard on Wednesday 8^th November on 100.0 FM, later moving to 98.9 MHz. The AM transmitter was brought back into service on Sunday 12^th November on the old frequency of 657 kHz. Breffni continued to broadcast 24 hours a day until Friday 24^th November, when officials from the Department of Communications were rumoured to be in the vicinity of the FM transmitter. This was switched off and Breffni continued on AM only. Newsline Ireland continued:

However, on Friday 1^st December, Breffni Radio were raided. Sean Brady was hosting his morning show, as he had since the station returned to the air. An engineer had travelled from Donegal to do some work on the AM transmitter as it had been quite distorted since it had been switched off the previous week as a precaution. The AM rig went silent at around 12.15pm to allow the work to be carried out and it was 15 minutes later when the officials arrived.

The Breffni staff present were cautioned and told that they were liable to proseuction under the new broadcasting legislation. The AM transmitter and studio equipment were confiscated and that was the end of Breffni Radio’s brief return in 1989.

This recording of Breffni Radio was made from 99 FM on Monday 20^th November 1989 from 1027-1201 and features Seán Brady with plenty of requests, a notice board and death notices, which would become a staple of licensed independent radio in Ireland. The recording was made by Rodney Neill. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation and background information.

28th November 202527th November 2025

Early Cork series: Saturday hits and requests on Radio City

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This is another recording of Alan Edwards on his Saturday evening show on Cork pirate Radio City in 1981. Alan plays current hits and classics and reads out requests from listeners, including one from the station’s number one fan Lilian McCarthy. There are increasing numbers of adverts for local businesses and Alan also reads out a charity appeal to help a disabled child. There is some distortion on the audio in places.

The recording was made from 95.5 FM between 1704-1806 on 21^st March 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, at this time.

26th November 202522nd November 2025

More Gareth O’Callaghan on Sunshine Radio

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This is another recording of long-time Irish radio DJ Gareth O’Callaghan on Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio. Using the name Tony Garreth by which he was known on air in his early pirate career, Gareth presents a mid-morning show in 1984. News on the hour is read by Cathy Cregan.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was recorded from 101.5 FM between 1036-1147 on Monday 27^th February 1984.

21st November 202515th November 2025

Early Cork series: Saturday evening on Radio City

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This recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made in spring 1981. The early Saturday evening show is presented by Alan Edwards, who was heard on earlier stations such as the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC). Alan plays hits and memories and plugs discos and gigs around the city and county. Local businesses around Cork are featured in the commercial breaks and for the first time, there are sung station jingles.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 95.5 FM on Saturday 14^th March 1981 between 1703-1858. There is some distortion on voiceovers and audio levels are variable in places. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.