Full recordings Archives - Page 2 of 131 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

9th January 202612th January 2026

Saturday on KISS FM Weekend Radio

KISS FM Weekend Radio was a short-lived weekend service of the Radio Nova offshoot KISS FM (1982-1984). This recording from late 1983 was made not long after the service was launched and there are a few technical glitches along the way. Liam Young is on air with music, competitions and a promise of local news. Listeners phone in from Dublin and the Isle of Man, reflecting the strong FM signal but ominously there are no adverts. The names of both David Malone and Shane Harrison are heard at the start of the news, which sounds like another glitch. KISS FM closed in January 1984 after a jamming campaign by RTÉ caused turmoil at Nova. Ian Biggar points out that the separate KISS service at the weekend is reminiscent of the Big D Weekend format in the late 1970s.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1202-1311 on 20th November 1983 from 102.7 FM.

7th January 20261st December 2025

Friday afternoon on Ballincollig Community Radio

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Ballincollig Community Radio broadcast to the Cork suburb of Ballincollig for the latter part of 1988 up to the deadline for the pirate stations to go off the air. The station operated on FM only and in this recording from November 1988, station manager Margaret Mahon presents ballads, country and showbands, along with a listeners’ quiz. There is a reference to Paul Davidson of Anoraks Ireland, who had just visited the station.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103.6 FM, announcing 104, between 1542-1613 on Friday, 4^th November 1988.

31st December 202531st December 2025

New Year’s Eve on Sunshine Radio

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Sunshine Radio celebrated its first Christmas and New Year on air in 1980, having begun broadcasting on 13^th September that year, with an official launch on 29^th September. By using high-powered transmitters, professional staff and a commercial model, Sunshine would change the direction of Irish radio in the coming years.

This recording is of Sunshine’s first New Year’s Eve and features Manon Christie, daughter of Robbie Robinson (Robbie Dale), one of Sunshine’s founders. Manon was a DJ in the station’s early period. The other founder was of course Chris Cary, who would leave Sunshine in January 1981 to set up Radio Nova. Manon goes through the headlines of the year and also live-reads some adverts. News at midday is read by Adrian Horsman.

The tape was made in Leeds from 531 kHz AM and suffers from foreign co-channel interference, exacerbated by the time of year. It was recorded between 1157-1333 on 31^st December 1980 and is courtesy of DX Archive. Thanks to Ian Biggar for his assistance.

25th December 20252nd December 2025

Early Cork series: More Christmas Day on Radio City

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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 25^th December 1980 and was recorded from 95.7 FM. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

17th December 202529th November 2025

Drivetime on Centre Radio from Cork

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Centre Radio was a Cork pirate broadcasting from late 1986 to the end of 1988. It was first located in Shandon Street in the city centre and then moved to Dublin Hill on the northside. An FM station only, it first broadcast on 101.5 and then 101, before moving to 95 MHz.

This recording from towards the end of its run features the end of the 95 FM Drive show with station boss Eric Young (aka Kevin Cussens), consisting mostly of chart music with short links. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 95 FM between 1832-1903 on Thursday 3^rd November 1988.