Airchecks Archives - Page 4 of 42 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

2nd May 202530th March 2025

Sunday programmes on Capitol 98 FM

Capitol Radio on 98 FM broadcast for a few months in the summer of 1982 and had big plans to develop a classic rock format for Dublin, based on a popular American format that many pirates tried to emulate. Despite the involvement of some big names on the Dublin radio scene, the experiment failed due to financial problems and Capitol closed down in September.

This recording from shortly after the launch on Capitol begins with a snippet of a new afternoon magazine programme presented by David Paul, who is followed by Steve Patterson. Adverts are scarce but there is an advertising promo that sounds like it was voiced by George Long (Henry O’Donovan, RIP). The twice-daily Capitol Car Chase feature is a mystery to us!

This airchecked recording was made by Kieran Murray from on Sunday 18^th July 1982 from 98 FM and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

25th April 202521st April 2025

Sunday on Radio Leinster up to closedown

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Radio Leinster was a specialist and talk station broadcasting to Dublin from 1981-1983. The diversity of its programming made it stand out from the dominance of chart music on many pirate stations. This short airchecked recording was made on a Sunday in summer 1982, at which point Radio Leinster had found its feet and was gaining advertisers and listeners. First up is a hoarse Justin James, who was also managing director, with an Elvis Presley show. This is followed by a snippet from the Sunday Scene programme with Paul Kavanagh later that evening. Paul would later to go on to present on Sunshine Radio, where he would become programme director. The recording ends with the closedown of the station for the night, in Irish and English, to the rousing strains of Mise Éire by Seán Ó Riada.

The tape was made from 93.2 FM on 27^th June 1982 by Kieran Murray, and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

14th April 202519th February 2025

Sunday evening on Westside Radio

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Westside Radio was a small station broadcasting to Dublin in 1982 and 1983. It had its origins in Double R Radio in Inchicore and moved around different premises in Dublin, later broadcasting from a site in Mulhuddart in the west of the city. Westside was one of a small number of pirates to stay on air following the infamous raids of May 1983 but did not last for long as it ran into trouble due to claims of interference, a common charge levelled against the pirates.

This short recording of Westside Radio was made on a Sunday evening in early summer 1982. Up first is Chris Byrne and he is followed by DJ Lynne. Both DJs read out a letter from the Irish Wheelchair Association thanking Westside for promoting them during a recent sponsored run in the Phoenix Park. Audio quality is fair to poor due to an over-modulated signal and cassette degradation.

The airchecked recording was made by Kieran Murray from around 2000 on 16^th May 1982 from 1035 kHz, announcing 290 metres and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

11th April 202530th March 2025

Northeast series: Kieran Murray on Radio Carousel Drogheda

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The Louth station Radio Carousel developed many satellite stations during its long existence (1978-1988). Apart from the headquarters in Dundalk, at various times it had stations in Navan (Co. Meath), Drogheda (Co. Louth), Castleblayney (Co. Monaghan) and on the border aimed at Newry (Co. Armagh/Co. Down). The model was for satellites to run their own programming but link up with Dundalk for certain programmes, for instance Country Call presented by station owner Hugh Hardy (RIP). The first satellite service was opened in Drogheda in 1982 and claimed coverage of south Co. Louth and north Co. Dublin. The studios were based in the Boyne Valley Hotel but it was difficult for the station to gain a hold in Drogheda due to the dominance of Boyneside Radio in the town.

This short recording of Radio Carousel Drogheda features a familiar voice on the station, Kieran Murray, presenting an afternoon musical mix, interspersed with adverts and community announcements. The airchecked recording was made by Kieran from around 1500 on Wednesday 19^th May 1982 from 99.4 FM and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Radio Carousel Drogheda also broadcast on 1413 kHz, announcing 215 metres.

7th April 202515th April 2025

Northeast series: Plenty of requests on Telstar Community Radio

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Telstar Community Radio (1980-1988) was a long-running pirate station broadcasting from in and around Dundalk in Co. Louth. Despite stiff competition from other stations in the small county, especially Radio Carousel, it held its own and carved out a niche in the local market.

This short recording of Telstar gives a flavour of afternoon programming in 1982. Dave Ritchie reads out plenty of requests from listeners, there is an oldies spot and sports results are promised. The station also offers a chance to win tickets to a concert by Irish traditional band Clannad, who were making waves at the time. One of the most familiar voices on Telstar, Ray Stone, is heard on many of the adverts for businesses in and around Dundalk.

This airchecked recording was made by Kieran Murray from around 1400 on 13^th May 1982 from 1197 kHz (announcing 250 metres) and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Audio is of DX quality as the recording was made outside the core listening area in north Louth.