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Lunchtime on Big L from Limerick

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Lunchtime on Big L from Limerick
Big L boss Mike Richardson at Christmas 1984 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Big L was a long-running station broadcasting from Limerick City from 1978-1985. It occupied various frequencies at the top end of the medium wave band and later expanded its range on FM. By 1984, the station was claiming coverage of most other counties in Munster as well as Limerick. Big L was run by English DJ Mike Richardson (pictured), who went on to set up Kerry pirates WRKY, Horizon Radio and Rocky 103 and was also involved in Galway station Twiggs FM.

This recording of Big L is from two days in November 1984, as the station approached its final Christmas. On air is Francis Jones with the lunchtime programme, using the strapline ‘Big L Radio Limerick – the stereo sound of Munster’. There is a quiz to win tickets for a local gig and plenty of requests and dedications, many from kids rushing back to school after their lunch break. A run-down of programmes later that day gives a sense of the diversity on Big L at the time. Adverts are heard for local businesses and some larger brands. Francis Jones continues to broadcast to this day on the licensed station Radio Kerry.

The first half of the recording was made from 98.3 FM between 1303-1348 on Wednesday 7th November 1984 and the second part is from the same time on the following day, Thursday 8th November. At this time, Big L also broadcast on 91.7 and 104.2 FM and 1560 kHz AM (off-channel), announcing 194 metres. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

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Early Cork series: Sunday romantic hour on Radio City

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

This is another example of Sunday programming on Cork pirate Radio City from 1981. On air is Susan James (O’Connor) with the Groove Line, a mixture of slow classic and chart tunes. There are also some adverts for local businesses. Susan is followed by Ronnie Gibson with contemporary album music.

The recording was made from 95.7 FM on Sunday 8th March 1981 from 1900-2005. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Pirate Pioneers: early test transmission on Radio Dublin

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Pirate Pioneers: early test transmission on Radio Dublin
Radio Dublin letterhead from 1977 using the Ranelagh address (courtesy Ian Biggar).

This is a rare early recording of Radio Dublin (1966-2002) featuring the legendary Don Moore (RIP) on a test transmission in 1975. By this time, the Dublin pirate scene was quiet following a raid on Radio Empathy in 1974 and Radio Dublin had been off the air for a year. By 1975, pirate activity had shifted to shortwave, believed to be of less interest to the authorities than medium wave, and Dr Don was operating Radio Westside (later Westside Radio International). However, both he and Prince Terry (Roger Lloyd) were determined to put Radio Dublin back on medium wave and began testing with a new transmitter in October, covering the northside of the city on 30 watts. That summer, Capitol Radio had appeared on 1358 kHz (announcing 220 metres) and with the return of regular weekend broadcasts by Radio Dublin, the new activity ultimately paved the way for the rapid expansion of pirate radio in the late 1970s and 1980s.

In this short recording, Dr Don sends best wishes to Capitol Radio on 220 metres and also mentions that another shortwave pirate, Radio Valleri would return soon. Don signs off by saying that he will shortly be testing on his own shortwave station, Radio Westside. We estimate the date of this untimed recording to be Sunday 12th October 1985. It was made by Gary Hogg from 1183 kHz (off-channel, announcing 253 metres). Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.

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Long Saturday Breakfast Show on South West Radio

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Long Saturday Breakfast Show on South West Radio
South West Radio car sticker (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

South West Radio broadcast from Killarney in Co. Kerry from 1986-1988. It was logged by Anoraks Ireland in November 1986 on 105 FM and listed by Anoraks UK as South West Community Radio in January 1987. By 1988, the station had added additional transmitters to boost coverage (97.1 FM for Killarney and Tralee and 103.3 for north Kerry). This recording is of a marathon breakfast show presented by John Howard (Niall Cassidy), who plays mostly country and Irish music. Adverts are heard for businesses in Kerry and north Cork, including one for the Radio Mallow music awards. There’s also a call from a listener who plays the tin whistle live on air and in keeping with some other rural stations, the Angelus bell is broadcast at midday. Niall Cassidy worked previously with Diamond Radio in Dublin (1984).

The recording was made from 97.1 FM between 0831-0902 and 1156-1227 on Saturday 5th November 1988 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

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Early Cork series: Sunday lunchtime on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Sunday lunchtime on Radio City
Derry O’Callaghan with Lilian McCarthy in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue)

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features Sunday lunchtime programmes from the spring of 1981. Up first is John Mariner with what appears to be his last show. He is followed by Derry O’Callaghan with the Radio City Top 40. There are some adverts during the broadcast and a charity appeal to listeners. Audio levels are variable with some distortion on the links and adverts.

The tape was made from 95.7 FM on Sunday 8th March 1981 from 1237 to 1402, with an edit in the middle. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.