Radio West offices in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).
This recording of the weekly Radio West Anoraks’ Show dates from summer 1987. Presented by station boss Shaun Coyne and Don Allen (RIP), it begins with a discussion of surveys of pirate radio listenership. Radio West’s new AM frequency is about to go live on 711 kHz in Galway and there are plans for a promotional campaign in the city and county. In other news from Galway, WLS is off the air following a dispute. Other stations mentioned include KTOK in Donegal, Longford Community Radio, Kandy Radio, Power 102 and the new pirate Independent Radio Mayo. There is also speculation about forthcoming changes in the Irish media landscape as the government discusses licensing of independent radio and television.
The partially airchecked recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 702 kHz AM on Sunday, 28th June 1987 from 1045-1145.
KLAS Radio began test transmissions in April 1991 on 828 kHz, although initially it announced 819 kHz. The test announcements were made by Lynsey Shelbourne (Dolan), who later went on to present programmes. The station broadcast from Carrickroe, Co. Monaghan, a site that had been used by other local pirate Radio Star Country in the past. The transmitter was said to be that formerly used by Cavan Community Radio running at around 800 watts, and was located in a van next to the aerial mast. The station ran a format of pop, oldies and country music, announcing a correspondence address in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone.
Postcard of Aughnacloy as sent by KLAS to Ian Biggar.
Reverse of postcard from KLAS.
In a letter in March 1992, presenter Michael Barry stated that the Department of Communications had not bothered the station at that point and that the owner was very careful not to take advertising from County Monaghan which was licensed station Northern Sound’s ‘patch’. As far as we are aware KLAS Radio did not receive any attention from the authorities. The station seemed to be reasonably successful despite the close competition from Radio Star Country.
ICB logo (courtesy Ian Biggar).
The Anorak Show on Kiss FM Dundalk on 26th December 1993 stated that KLAS Radio finally called it a day on Tuesday 22nd June of that year. It was stated however that there were rumours that the site would reactivate ‘in the next couple of weeks’. The site did reactivate, but not until January 1994 when 828 kHz carried a relay of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) from satellite. This service seemed to be known as Vision 828. It continued for many years, moving to 864 kHz at some point before finally becoming a high power installation on 549 kHz by the mid 90s. It became clear that 549 was operated by an organisation known as Irish Christian Broadcasters, based in Dundalk and headed by among others the late David Robinson, a former owner of Radio Star Country. The service continued until 2006 when ICB received an instruction from Comreg to cease transmissions on 549 kHz. By that time the power used was reputed to be in the region of 25 kW.
This recording of KLAS Radio was made from 828 kHz between 1419-1552 on Monday 13th May 1991 and features Lynsey Shelbourne on air. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the station history and recording.
Radio West’s AM site at Tyrrellspass in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).
This recording of Radio West from summer 1987 begins with the end of Don Allen’s easy listening programme just before the weekly Anoraks’ Show presented by Don and Radio West boss Shaun Coyne. There are the usual letters from listeners, one asking for an exchange of pirate recordings and another providing a report from Dublin. From Scotland, Jock Wilson of Radio Stella International is looking for someone to operate a 200w shortwave transmitter in Ireland and is interviewed on the programme.
Shaun Coyne comments on the busy pirate scene in London where raids take place a few times a week. He also announces that Radio West is to return on high-powered FM in Dublin and is planning to install a transmitter in Galway. There are round-ups from around the country and a promise to publish an anoraks’ magazine, which never materialised. A promo for Anoraks Ireland is voiced by David Baker.
The recording from the Anoraks Ireland Collection was made from 702 kHz AM on Sunday 21st June 1987 between 1045-1145 and is partially airchecked. There is some cassette wobble at the start and reception is consistent with a daytime groundwave signal as heard in Dublin.
The former Spirit Radio site at Carrickroe in 2025, formerly used by KLAS (photo John Walsh).
KLAS Radio (1991-1993) was an example of the many new pirates to defy the new broadcasting laws of 1989 and come on air in the 1990s. It was based on the Monaghan/Tyrone border and broadcast from a site at Carrickroe that would later be used by another local pirate Radio Star Country and for a pirate relay of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB). In more recent years, Carrickroe housed the AM facility of licensed religious station Spirit Radio until 2023 (pictured above).
This recording from spring 1991 is of early test transmissions by KLAS. It begins with a promo for the station using the iconic pirate signature tune Man of Action by the Les Reed Orchestra. KLAS promised Irish, pop and country music, reflecting the mixture that was popular in border areas following the success of the 1980s pirates. Following continuous music at the start, DJ Tony then presents an afternoon show and gives out a contact number for requests and reception reports.
The recording was made from 828 kHz (announcing 819) on Thursday 18th April from 1420-1435 and Friday 19th April 1991 from 1400-1500. Audio quality is fair to poor with some cassette wobble at the start. There is also splatter from BBC Radio Scotland on the adjacent frequency of 810 kHz, reflecting the fact that the recording was made in Scotland. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.
Radio Caroline card from the mid-1990s (Pirate.ie Collection).
Radio Caroline Dublin broadcast to the capital between 1989 and 2000, making it one of the longest-running pirates of the post-1989 era. This recording was made towards the end of its run in 2000 and highlights the wide variety of music played and the freewheeling, non-commercial style. It begins with the last few minutes of duo Travis and Tony, who are followed by another double-act, Michelle and Rhonda.
The tape was made on Wednesday 17th May 2000 from 102.5 FM between 1815-1915 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.
