Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

27th September 202627th September 2026

Radio West Anoraks’ Show (21st June 1987)

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 21^st 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.

25th September 202623rd September 2026

Border series: Test transmission of KLAS Radio from Monaghan

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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 819 kHz on Thursday 18^th April from 1420-1435 and Friday 19^th 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.

23rd September 202620th September 2026

Eclectic musical style on Radio Caroline Dublin

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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 17^th May 2000 from 102.5 FM between 1815-1915 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.

21st September 202620th September 2026

St. Patrick’s Day on Nova offshoot KISS FM

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This recording of Radio Nova offshoot KISS FM was made on St. Patrick’s Day 1983. First up is the final part of the lunchtime show with Colm Hayes. He is joined in studio by Eurovision winner Johnny Logan, who is due to begin his nationwide tour in Nova Park that night. Colm is followed by John Clarke who continues the Irish musical theme, mixed with oldies. News on the hour is read by Bryan Dobson, who would go on to a long career in RTÉ. A promo for the ‘KISS FM £5,000 pay-off’ is also heard, one of the many extravagant giveaways by the Radio Nova network.

The recording was made from 102.7 FM on Thursday 17^th March 1983 between 1531-1705 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

17th September 202618th September 2026

Teena Gates on Liberty 104

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Liberties Local Community Radio (LLCR) began broadcasting in March 1986 from Weaver Square in Dublin 8. It was run by Sammy Prendergast who was well known for installing aerials for pirate stations. LLCR broadcast on 1035 kHz AM using the old Capitol Radio rig which had been on 1017 kHz until shortly before then. It was also heard on 104 FM at a later stage and was renamed Liberty 104.

In this short clip from the Pirate.ie collection recorded on 30^th August 1988, Teena Gates reads the news, when the station was known as Liberty 104. Teena can still be heard on radio in Dublin today and in 2026 was inducted into the IMRO Radio Hall of Fame for her contribution to the medium.