Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

5th June 20262nd June 2026

Sunday evening on Sunshine Radio

Before it was relaunched in 1986, the large Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio broadcast specialist programmes at the weekends, sometimes offering a choice of services on AM and FM. This recording from a Sunday evening in 1984 gives a sense of some of that variety. First up is Greg Merriman with a mixture of new and old tunes including the Famous Five slot featuring five tracks by Steely Dan. He is followed by Colin Russell who is standing in for Bill McLaughlin with Sunshine Country. News is read by Caroline Callaghan and an advert for Tamango’s nightclub next door to Sunshine is heard during a commercial break.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 101.5 FM. Part 1 was recorded from 1949-2038 and part 2 from 2103-2152 on 22^nd April 1984.

2nd June 20262nd June 2026

Border series: Evening show on KIKX 102

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KIKX 102 was the new name for the short-lived Monaghan pirate FM 100, that broadcast for a few months from 26^th July 1989. Using the former studios and transmitter of previous pirate KITS in Monaghan Town, FM 100 had big plans to secure a music radio licence for Northern Ireland following the closure of the pirates south of the border at the end of 1988. After moving to 102 FM in November 1989, FM 100 relaunched as KIKX 102 but only lasted for another few weeks before closing down. This was an unstable period for the pirates due to the introduction of draconian new broadcasting laws in the Republic.

Our recording features an evening show with mostly chart music and adverts for businesses in Antrim (including Belfast), Armagh and Monaghan. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 102 FM sometime in November 1989 between 2134-2219. The DJ calls himself ‘the Gooseman’.

27th May 202624th May 2026

Test broadcast by Blanchardstown Community Radio

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Blanchardstown Community Radio (BCR) was one of several short-lived pirate stations that came on air in Dublin in the second half of 1983, following the drama of the raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio that spring. It was based in the western suburb of Blanchardstown and was set up by some of those involved in Westside Radio, another station in the same part of the city that closed down that summer.

The Anoraks UK Weekly Report commented that small stations came and went almost on a daily basis in Dublin during that period. The edition of 8^th September reported that BCR appeared on 7^th August at 1400 hours as announced, suggesting that it had been broadcasting loop announcements in advance. The station was logged again by Anoraks UK on 14^th September but there is no mention of it after that.

This short recording features an unidentified DJ followed by continuous music. Full programming is promised from the following morning. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on 7^th August 1983 between 1433-1449 from 1251 kHz, announcing 240 metres.

25th May 202624th May 2026

Bob Gallico and Peter Madison on Magic 103

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Magic 103 was one of the many offshoots of Radio Nova, broadcasting from April to September 1985. This recording was made on a sunny summer afternoon and features two of the station’s most accomplished presenters, Bob Gallico and Peter Madison, both since deceased. First up is the end of Morning Magic with both presenters, while Peter continues on his own with the Solid Gold slot after 1200. ABC Network News is read by Bob and Mark Weller. The music style includes classical, easy listening, big band and oldies. Listeners are also invited to bid for a rare Beatles picture disc, with the proceeds going to the forthcoming Live Aid concert. Although there is interest from listeners, virtually no adverts are aired, evidence of the financial problems facing Magic 103 throughout its existence.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103.5 FM on Wednesday 24^th July 1985 from 1150-1321. 199 metres (1521 kHz) is also announced.

19th May 20268th March 2026

ABC Radio still on air after raids

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The small Dublin pirate ABC Radio was one of a handful to stay on the air after the raids on the bigger station Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio on 18^th and 19^th May 1983. This short recording of ABC was made before 2300 on the evening of 19^th May and includes a call from a listener who says she finds RTÉ Radio 1 and Radio 2 depressing and will miss pirate radio. The DJ is Jimmy Williams and the recording was made from 963 kHz, 312 metres. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.