Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

11th May 20263rd May 2026

More Chris Cary on KISS FM

This is another recording of Radio Nova founder and boss, Chris Cary, using the name Harry cary on the Nova offshoot station, KISS FM. Chris mentions the visit of a youth club to the studios of Nova and KISS FM that day and says that other such groups would be welcome at the weekends. There are high-level agency adverts and news is read by Bryan Dobson, who would go on to a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made between 1837-1911 from 102.7 FM on Sunday 17^th April 1983 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

8th May 20267th May 2026

Early Cork series: weekend shows on Radio City

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This recording features weekend shows on Cork pirate Radio City in summer 1981. Up first is John Ashford (RIP) with the final part of his Saturday Nightbeat show. He is followed by Jamie Roberts, who takes a call from fellow DJ Pat O’Rourke who is in hospital! Of interest is the advert for Fianna Fáil in advance of the election the following week. The final section is part of a chart show.

The tape begins at around 2200 on Saturday 6^th June 1981 but is partially airchecked. The chart show is probably from the following day, 7^th June. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

6th May 20263rd May 2026

Chris Cary on KISS FM

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KISS FM (1982-1984) was one of several offshoots of the large Dublin pirate radio Nova. In this recording, Nova founder and boss Chris Cary is on air using the name Harry Cary. He is followed by Chris Barry with a late-night programme. The final part of the recording switches from KISS FM to Nova itself for a few minutes. ‘Independent Radio News from Ireland’ on both services is read by Ken Hammond, who would go on to have a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made from from 102.7 FM and then 88.2 FM on Sunday 10^th April 1983 between 2040-2114. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

4th May 20261st May 2026

Border series: Country requests on Misty Mountain Radio

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Misty Mountain Radio broadcast from the Cavan border region in the 2000s, specialising in show bands and country and Irish music. In this recording, DJ Mark Gregory has a CD to giveaway and there are requests from listeners around the county. The recording was made between from 106.2 FM between 2056-2200 on 15^th January 2007.

Thanks to Ian Biggar for donating the tape, which was recorded originally by Brian Johnson. There is no known link between this station and the shortwave pirate Misty Mountain Radio that broadcast from the border region in the 1980s.

1st May 202629th April 2026

Early Cork series: more summer sounds on Radio City

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This is another recording of Cork pirate Radio City in summer 1981. First up is the end of the community association programme with Seán Collins, followed by Alan Edwards with his weekly early Saturday evening slot. Alan plays mostly chart hits including plenty of Irish tunes and some oldies thrown in. There are plenty of requests from listeners but few adverts. He is followed by Steve Douglas.

The recording was made from approximately 1700-1900 (with some edits) from 88.4 FM on Saturday 13^th June 1981. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue.