Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

30th March 202628th March 2026

Afternoon Delights on Radio Vera

Radio Vera broadcast from Limerick City from 1987-1988. It was linked to another city station, Radio Munster, that focused on older listeners while Radio Vera chased the younger market. Radio Vera claimed to have coverage over a 50-mile radius of Limerick City, including parts of Clare and Kerry.

This recording is of Francis Jones on the Afternoon Delights show, with a solid gold hour, an 80s music spot and a listeners’ quiz. News on the hour is read by Edwina, there are adverts for businesses around the city and county and several requests come from north Kerry. Francis Jones worked previously with Limerick pirate Big L and Horizon Radio in Kerry. After the pirates, he went on to a career with licensed station Radio Kerry.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 97.7 FM between 1400-1533 on Monday 14^th November 1988.

27th March 202626th March 2026

Dr Don’s Dinner Spinner on ARD

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Don Moore (Dr Don) was one of the pioneers of early pirate radio in Ireland, and developed Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) into a credible and professional station in an increasingly competitive market at the end of the 1970s. This recording is of Dr Don in the lunchtime slot on ARD, featuring his usual zany and fast-paced style. There’s a listeners’ postal quiz to win cinema tickets and new headlines at half past the hour.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1151 kHz, announcing 257 metres, between 1304-1334 sometime in 1978.

25th March 202623rd March 2026

Lunchtime on Radio Dublin in 1978

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In January 1978, Radio Dublin began a full daytime schedule, a change that shook up the Dublin radio scene and ushered in a new era of increased competition and rising standards. This recording was made around lunchtime and features DJ Sylvia with good tunes, an album of the week feature and live-read adverts. The iconic 253 jingle is aired a few times and Sylvia is followed by DJ Lee in the afternoon slot.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1187 kHz, announcing 253 metres, between 1342-1403 sometime in 1978.

23rd March 202622nd March 2026

Denis Murray plays rock favourites on Super Nova

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Super Nova was one of many offshoots of the Dublin pirate Radio Nova. The evening opt-out service was set up not long after Nova returned to the air following the raid of May 1983. It temporarily replaced KISS FM, which closed after the raid, and soaked up Nova’s additional advertising revenue. This recording of Super Nova features Denis Murray playing mostly rock favourites. The many commercial breaks include adverts for brands and larger businesses, including a holiday giveaway sponsored by Nova in association with a travel agency. News is read by David Malone.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 88 FM between 2019-2109 on Thursday 1^st September 1983. The main Nova daytime service broadcast on 88 FM and 828 kHz AM during this time.

18th March 202614th March 2026

Early Cork series: Radio City Top 30 with Noel Evans

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This is recording of the weekly Top 30 show on early Cork pirate Radio City. The DJ is Noel Evans (Welch) and the programme was recorded from a new FM frequency of 88.4 MHz. It is partially airchecked and was made from between 1755-1900 on Wednesday 20^th May 1981. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.