Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

Early Cork series: Saturday hits and requests on Radio City — Alan Edwards at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This is another recording of Alan Edwards on his Saturday evening show on Cork pirate Radio City in 1981. Alan plays current hits and classics and reads out requests from listeners, including one from the station’s number one fan Lilian McCarthy. There are increasing numbers of adverts for local businesses and Alan also reads out a charity appeal to help a disabled child. There is some distortion on the audio in places.

The recording was made from 95.5 FM between 1704-1806 on 21^st March 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, at this time.

26th November 202522nd November 2025

More Gareth O’Callaghan on Sunshine Radio

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This is another recording of long-time Irish radio DJ Gareth O’Callaghan on Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio. Using the name Tony Garreth by which he was known on air in his early pirate career, Gareth presents a mid-morning show in 1984. News on the hour is read by Cathy Cregan.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was recorded from 101.5 FM between 1036-1147 on Monday 27^th February 1984.

21st November 202515th November 2025

Early Cork series: Saturday evening on Radio City

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This recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made in spring 1981. The early Saturday evening show is presented by Alan Edwards, who was heard on earlier stations such as the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC). Alan plays hits and memories and plugs discos and gigs around the city and county. Local businesses around Cork are featured in the commercial breaks and for the first time, there are sung station jingles.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 95.5 FM on Saturday 14^th March 1981 between 1703-1858. There is some distortion on voiceovers and audio levels are variable in places. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

19th November 202514th November 2025

Charity fundraiser on Radio Leinster

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Radio Leinster was a talk and specialist station serving Dublin from 1981-1983. This recording of a mid-morning show from autumn 1981 features a charity fundraiser for the Palatine Fathers’ mission in Tanzania. Fr Mike Culloty was a Palatine priest who presented a religious programme every Sunday morning on the station. Encouraging listeners to phone in pledges are Mike Moran and Vinnie Connell. Commercial breaks include adverts for businesses around Dublin and after much excitement at the generous response to the appeal, Mike and Vinnie are followed by the lunchtime programme presented by station manager Justin James.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on Saturday 26^th September 1981 from 738 kHz, announcing 406 metres, between 1155-1327.

17th November 202514th November 2025

Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel (17th February 1985)

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The Free Radio Campaign (FRC) show with Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel was a must for radio anoraks in Dublin in the mid-1980s. The weekly show shared news from the pirate radio scene at home and abroad, including recordings shared by listeners. This show from early 1985 begins as usual with news from the same period the previous year, including a new version of the long-promised local radio legislation, the jamming of Radio Nova on FM and the closure of Radio Dublin Channel 2, where Gerard Roe had previously presented his FRC. This show also contains a Sunshine Radio tribute to Radio Caroline on its 20^th anniversary and an interview with Chris Cary about Radio Nova. Nova is also reported to be audible on telephones in south Dublin, an issue causing annoyance to certain politicians. There are also promos for Anoraks UK and Anoraks Ireland and UK free radio news including the raids on Radio Jackie.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 92 FM on Sunday 17^th February 1985 from 1658-1828. Radio Annabel also broadcast on 1323 kHz (227 metres) and a recording of the FRC was relayed every week on shortwave pirate Westside Radio International.