Jamie Roberts at Radio City in summer 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).
This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features Pat O’Rourke (Smurf) on a Saturday morning in summer 1981, followed by the start of Paul Cassidy’s show. The recording begins around 1020 but is partially airchecked. Paul announces 189 metres (1584 kHz) but this is likely to be a mistake as there is no log of Radio City on that frequency although by July 1981 it had moved to 1243 kHz, announcing 240 metres. The second half features Jamie Roberts with his Midnight Serenade show.
The tape was made from 88.4 FM on 13th June 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.
Magic 103 was an offshoot of Dublin super-pirate Radio Nova, set up as an information and easy listening music service for the city. Its first full day was 29th April 1985 but it closed only five months later on 22nd September, citing financial difficulties. However, the station was also embroiled in the ongoing dispute between Nova boss Chris Cary and the National Union of Journalists, which eventually contributed to Nova’s demise in 1986.
This recording was made shortly after Magic 103 launched and features a lunchtime show presented by Dave Johnson (Andrew Hanlon), who also reads ABC Network News, simulcast on Radio Nova. The music is a mixture of easy listening, oldies and country and listeners call in for chat and requests. There are regular references to an audition for new presenters for a kids’ programme called Magic Hullabaloo taking place at Magic headquarters at 144 Upper Leeson Street. Many of the hopefuls are invited into studio, including one who already hosts a show on Community Radio Fingal in north Dublin. The kids’ enthusiasm and knowledge about radio provides an interesting insight to the popularity of the medium among 1980s teenagers in Dublin, but the music is definitely not aimed at them. The recording also includes sports results read by Aidan Cooney.
The recording was made from 103.5 FM on Saturday 18th May 1985. Part 1 above is from 1203-1335 and Part 2 below from 1336-1508.
Both recordings are from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
Advert for KISS FM in the Sunday World in 1982 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
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 7th September 1982 between 2107-2212.
Alan Edwards in March 1981 at Radio City (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).
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 23rd. Radio City was also using 88.4 MHz around this time, sometimes for separate programming. Thanks for Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.
Radio City advertising card (courtesy DX Archive).
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.
