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Denis Murray plays rock favourites on Super Nova

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Denis Murray plays rock favourites on Super Nova
Nova logo from this period (courtesy DX Archive).

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 1st September 1983. The main Nova daytime service broadcast on 88 FM and 828 kHz AM during this time.

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Early Cork series: Radio City Top 30 with Noel Evans

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Early Cork series: Radio City Top 30 with Noel Evans
Noel Evans at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

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 20th May 1981. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Sunday with Tony Dixon on early Sunshine Radio

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Sunday with Tony Dixon on early Sunshine Radio
Tony Dixon pictured in the Sunshine Review 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

This is another recording of Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio during its first summer on air in 1981. It begins with Tony Dixon (RIP) with music in the laid-back and soul style that was so associated with him on Sunshine. Tony is followed by what appears to be a live concert by Irish singer Chris de Burgh.

The tape was made from 531 kHz AM, announcing 539 metres, from 1933-2018 on Sunday 19th July. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

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Saturday afternoon on early Sunshine Radio

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Saturday afternoon on early Sunshine Radio
Back L-R: Robbie Robinson and Stevie Dunne and below Tom Hardy in the early days (courtesy Pat Herbert).

The Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio marked its first summer on air in 1981. In this recording from a sunny Saturday afternoon that year, first up is Tom Hardy (RIP) with the Sunshine Survey chart countdown. He is followed by Jim Kenny with the Golden Oldies Session. Radio Nova had just gone on the air, beginning a period of great rivalry between the two big stations. Sunshine would survive until the end, not closing until 30th December 1988.

The tape was made from 531 kHz AM, announcing 539 metres, from 1443-1529 on Saturday 11th July. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

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Early Cork series: Radio City welcomes summer 1981

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Early Cork series: Radio City welcomes summer 1981
Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) with Alan Edwards in 1981 (photo courtesy of Lilian).

This recording contains excerpts of shows by various DJs on Cork pirate Radio City in early summer 1981. First up is Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan), who hands over to Alan Edwards on his weekly Saturday evening slot. We hear most of Alan’s show, which includes a letter from Radio City super-fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue). This is followed by more clips of Carl Johnson and Noel Evans (Welch), including one from the day of the general election, 11th May 1981.   

The bulk of the recording was made from 95.5 FM from around 1700 on Saturday 2nd May 1981 but contains a number of edits. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, but its AM channel was off air at the time. Audio quality is fair with some cassette wobble and distortion. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.