Dublin Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

26th June 202623rd June 2026

Morning Magic on Magic 103

This recording features programming from Magic 103, the short-lived easy-listening and talk-based experiment launched by Radio Nova in April 1985. Up first is Chris Barry and George Long (Henry O’Donovan, RIP) with the end of the breakfast show, who is followed by Bob Gallico (RIP) and Peter Madison (RIP) with Morning Magic. There is a television preview, racing results, a competition, news snippets, a nostalgia spot and an interview with an American singer living in Dublin. The music ranges from country and Irish to classical, underlining the lack of clarity about what Magic 103 was supposed to offer listeners. Peter refers to Magic as ‘Europe’s newest easy-listening station’ but the lack of adverts pointed to its growing financial woes.

The recording was made from 103.5 FM on Thursday 23^rd July 1985 between 0950-1122 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

15th June 202614th June 2026

Southside Radio FRC show from March 1981

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An early pioneer in news for radio anoraks was the weekly Free Radio Campaign (FRC) show on Southside Radio from Dún Laoghaire in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Presented by Marc Boland, it was often relayed on shortwave pirate Westside Radio International. This short recording of the end of one edition of the FRC from 1981 includes correspondence from a listener in Leeds who wants to swap recordings of pirate stations from both sides of the Irish Sea.

The tape was made from 999 kHz AM (300 metres) on Sunday 29^th March 1981 between 1248-1930 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

11th June 20268th June 2026

Free radio show on Radio Dublin Channel 2 (6th July 1983)

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This recording of the Free Radio Campaign (FRC) show on Radio Dublin Channel 2 dates from summer 1983. It is presented by Tony Healy, who is filling in for Gerard Roe and making his first appearance on the station. The FRC features a Christmas recording from Radio Snowflake on 99.9 FM from December 1982, operating from Dollymount. There are medium wave, FM and shortwave bandscans and a recording of British pirate Radio Veronica recorded in Liverpool. The edition also features an Anoraks UK tape of interviews with Bob Gallico, Declan Meehan and Mike Moran.

The tape was made from 98.7 FM between 1958-2105 on Wednesday 6^th July 1983 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

27th May 202624th May 2026

Test broadcast by Blanchardstown Community Radio

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Blanchardstown Community Radio (BCR) was one of several short-lived pirate stations that came on air in Dublin in the second half of 1983, following the drama of the raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio that spring. It was based in the western suburb of Blanchardstown and was set up by some of those involved in Westside Radio, another station in the same part of the city that closed down that summer.

The Anoraks UK Weekly Report commented that small stations came and went almost on a daily basis in Dublin during that period. The edition of 8^th September reported that BCR appeared on 7^th August at 1400 hours as announced, suggesting that it had been broadcasting loop announcements in advance. The station was logged again by Anoraks UK on 14^th September but there is no mention of it after that.

This short recording features an unidentified DJ followed by continuous music. Full programming is promised from the following morning. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on 7^th August 1983 between 1433-1449 from 1251 kHz, announcing 240 metres.

25th May 202624th May 2026

Bob Gallico and Peter Madison on Magic 103

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Magic 103 was one of the many offshoots of Radio Nova, broadcasting from April to September 1985. This recording was made on a sunny summer afternoon and features two of the station’s most accomplished presenters, Bob Gallico and Peter Madison, both since deceased. First up is the end of Morning Magic with both presenters, while Peter continues on his own with the Solid Gold slot after 1200. ABC Network News is read by Bob and Mark Weller. The music style includes classical, easy listening, big band and oldies. Listeners are also invited to bid for a rare Beatles picture disc, with the proceeds going to the forthcoming Live Aid concert. Although there is interest from listeners, virtually no adverts are aired, evidence of the financial problems facing Magic 103 throughout its existence.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103.5 FM on Wednesday 24^th July 1985 from 1150-1321. 199 metres (1521 kHz) is also announced.