South Coast Countdown with Keith York

South Coast Countdown with Keith York
Keith York (RIP) pictured in the South Coast Radio studio in March 1982 (courtesy Lillian O’Dononghue).

South Coast Radio (1982-1984) was one of the successful Cork stations of the pirate era. Although it never achieved the longevity of the other Cork giant ERI, South Coast was a slick operation from its launch on March 3rd 1982 and introduced professionalism not heard on the earlier wave of pirates in the city. This recording from the final year of South Coast was made on a sunny Saturday in the spring of 1984. On air is one of the high-profile DJs associated with the station, Keith York (RIP), presenting the weekly Top 50 countdown. A promo voiced by the legendary Tony Allan (RIP) informs listeners that the countdown is compiled from phone research, record sales and station airplay in Munster. In this recording, Keith is followed by George Long.

South Coast Countdown with Keith York
Cassette inlay from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

South Coast Radio closed down on 13th July 1984. The tape was made from 102.15 FM, announcing 104, from 1440-1615 on 7th April 1984. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

John Lewis on South Coast Radio

John Lewis on South Coast Radio
John Lewis in the South Coast studio in 1982 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

Former offshore DJ John Lewis spent a stint on Cork’s South Coast Radio in 1982 and 1983. He had previously worked on Radio Caroline in the 1970s until the Mi Amigo sank in 1980 and was also heard on the Voice of Peace off the Israeli coast. In this recording, John presents a Saturday evening show featuring plenty of requests, the Lewis Cues quiz and sports news with John Kenny. News at the top of the hour is read by Andrew Hewkin and commercial breaks feature both agency adverts and spots for local businesses.

John Lewis returned to North Sea in 1984 and joined the new offshore station Laser before returning to Radio Caroline. He still broadcasts on the current licensed Radio Caroline and has also worked with other UK commercial stations.

John Lewis on South Coast Radio
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

This tape was made on Saturday 20th August 1983 from 1725-1902. It was recorded from 103.7 FM, announced as 104. South Coast also broadcast on 1557 kHz, announced as 194 metres. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Summer breakfast on South Coast Radio

Summer breakfast on South Coast Radio
Don Stevens in the South Coast studio in February 1983 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

This recording of successful Cork pirate South Coast Radio features Don Stevens on the Sunrise Special breakfast show on a warm summer morning in 1983. Don worked previously on offshore stations such as Radio Caroline and the Voice of Peace before coming to Ireland where he joined South Coast Radio. He later went on to Galway pirates Atlantic Sound and WLS Music Radio.

Summer breakfast on South Coast Radio
Jim Lockhart (aka Neil Prendeville) in February 1983 in the newsroom (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

News on the hour is read by Jim Lockhart, who also presents a review of the morning papers. Jim began in radio in 1978 at the age of 16 and worked on Cork stations such as Radio Shandon, Cork City Radio, CBC, CCLR and Radio City before joining South Coast in October 1982. Under his real name Neil Prendeville, he has long been a well-known presenter on licensed radio in Cork.

Summer breakfast on South Coast Radio
Original label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The tape was made from 103.5 FM from 0746-0821 and 0830-0904 on Monday 15th August 1983. There has been some degradation of the cassette, particularly in the second part. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Into the early hours on South Coast Radio

Into the early hours on South Coast Radio
Steve Douglas in the South Coast studio in 1982 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

Aged only 20 when he joined, Steve Douglas was South Coast’s youngest DJ, having started in Capital Radio Cork in May 1979 when still a teenager. He later presented on another Cork pirate, Radio City, and began working weekend shifts on South Coast in October 1982 before getting a regular daily slot.

This recording features Steve Douglas finishing off his evening show with a relaxed music mix. News at midnight is read by Andrew Hewkin and includes stories from Cork. Next up is popular South Coast DJ Nick Richards with Nightline into the early hours.

Into the early hours on South Coast Radio
Nick Richards in the South Coast newsroom in 1982 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

The tape was recorded from 103.7 FM, announced as 104, from 2320-0054 on 11th and 12th May 1983. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. A week later the Irish radio world would be rocked by raids on high-profile Dublin stations Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio.

Sunday shows on South Coast Radio

Sunday shows on South Coast Radio
Pete O’Neill in the South Coast studio in 1982 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

This recording of South Coast Radio was made on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Cork in 1983. It begins with Pete O’Neill presenting the South Coast Countdown and he is followed by Don Stevens. Station idents are voiced by the legendary Tony Allan, who is also heard on some adverts.

Sunday shows on South Coast Radio
Original cassette label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The recording was made from 103.7 FM, announced as 104 MHz, on 6th March 1983. South Coast Radio also broadcast on 1557 kHz or 194 metres. Sound quality is fair, possibly due to degradation of the tape. First up is Pete O’Neill from 1430-1515 and then Don Stevens from 1115-1200. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.