Airchecks Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

11th July 20253rd July 2025

Sunday afternoon on Metro Radio

Metro Radio was a small short-lived AM pirate station broadcasting from Clontarf on the northside of Dublin in 1983. Anoraks UK first logged it on 1557 kHz on 31^st May but it does not appear consistently in listings and seems to have been an irregular or hobby rather than a full-time operator. The same frequency was also used by another irregular pirate, Diamond Radio, around this time and indeed Diamond reoccupied 1557 kHz in 1984 after the apparent demise of Metro Radio by the end of 1983.

This short airchecked recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1557 kHz, announcing 192 metres, between 1300-1500 on Sunday 16^th October 1983. The DJ is John Young and only one advert is heard during the broadcast.

7th July 20253rd July 2025

‘The Smurf’ on Radio City Cork

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Pat O’Rourke, also known as ‘The Smurf’, was one of the popular DJs on the early Cork pirates. Heard initially on the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC), his show had a huge following as reflected in its large weekly mailbag. Pat joined Radio City when it began broadcasting in 1980 and this recording features part of his first show on the new station.

The recording was made on 6^th September 1980 from 2030. Audio quality is poor for the first part as it was made by placing a tape recorder against an AM radio. The second part was recorded from 95.5 FM using a radio-cassette recorder and seems to have been made at a later date. Thanks to Lillian O’Donoghue for the donation.

4th July 20252nd July 2025

Sunday afternoon on Wicklow Community Radio

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Wicklow Community Radio began as a temporary festival station in the summer of 1982, but due to its success soon became a full-time operation. In 1985, it changed its name to Wicklow Local Community Broadcasting (WLCB) and in 1987 it was relaunched as Viking 105, with a more commercial focus.

This recording begins with the Top 30 countdown and the number 1 record, presented by Gerry Lang. This is followed by Willie Naughton’s Sunday Special show featuring album tracks. Voices on adverts include those of Scott Williams and David Harvey, both of whom would become big names on 1980s pirate radio and who continue to work in the media industry to this day. An announcement of a festival in east Wicklow includes a reference to the popular Radio Nova disco roadshow! The station signs off for the night with a bilingual announcement at 1900.

This airchecked recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 198 metres, on Sunday 4^th September 1983 between 1700-1900.

30th June 202523rd June 2025

Early Cork series: First full day on Radio City

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A new Cork pirate, Radio City, was launched on 31^st August 1980. This recording is of the first full day of the station and begins with station co-founder Pete Andrews (O’Neill) with his Spinning Disc lunchtime show. The show includes a repeat of part of the launch the previous day. News headlines are delayed by technical problems but it is clear that Radio City had big plans, including daily sponsored programmes. Pete is followed by Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delight, including various features such as a quiz and entertainment diary. Next up is Noel Evans (Welch) with Home Run, including traffic news and racing reports. Co-author of the history of the Cork Pirates, The Jolly Roger, Noel had a day job with the Evening Echo newspaper but worked in the pirates on the side, first CBC and then Radio City. He also played music in several nightclubs like many pirate DJs. The final DJ is Paul Cassidy with part of an evening show.

This airchecked recording of Radio City was made from around 1200 on 1^st September 1980 from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres. Only one advert is heard but the commercial breaks may have been edited out. Audio quality is fair to poor as the recording was made by placing a tape recorder beside a radio, rather than using a cassette recorder. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

27th June 202522nd June 2025

Laid-back Sunday night on Radio Leinster

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Radio Leinster was a specialist and speech station broadcasting from Dublin between 1981 and 1983. This short airchecked recording features the end of a Sunday night love songs show presented by Lawrence John, who was involved in pirates in Dublin and elsewhere throughout the 1980s. Lawrence is followed by Dave Couling with his laid-back Midnight Magic show until 0200.

The tape was made from 93 FM from around 2200 on Sunday 12^th December 1982 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Radio Leinster also broadcast on 738 kHz AM (406 metres).