Radio Caroline card from the mid-1990s (Pirate.ie Collection).
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 17th May 2000 from 102.5 FM between 1815-1915 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.
John Clarke in the KISS FM studio in 1982 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
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 17th March 1983 between 1531-1705 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
An undated photo of Tony, possibly from the early Sunshine days (courtesy Marisa Dixon).
The late Tony Dixon’s 3-hour Saturday Soul slot on Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio gained a big following in the 1980s. Here he is from 1985 with the usual laid-back mix and requests and dedications. News is read by Kate McLean and a commercial break contains a promo for the Sunshine girls who are giving away £25 cash prizes in public places.
The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on Saturday 2nd November 1985 from 101.5 FM between 1803-1935.
Radio Dublin banner from 1977 (courtesy Ian Biggar).
This recording is of what was billed as the final broadcast by Radio Dublin following a raid in February 1977 that led to most of the station’s equipment being confiscated. In a publicity stunt that would be repeated by future pirate stations, Radio Dublin returned to the air with a fanfare in order to sign off for the last time. Paul Downey is at the helm and says that they are using borrowed equipment to bid farewell to listeners because ‘the powers that be’ want them silenced. He also urges people to write to the Department of Posts and Telegraphs to demand that Radio Dublin be licensed.
February 1977 was by no means the end of Radio Dublin, which had its equipment returned in June 1977 after a court case found a flaw in the 1926 act. The station in fact extended its hours over the summer and in September held a marathon 36-hour broadcast that broke the mould for pirate radio in Dublin, leading to a shift from hobby operators to full-time broadcasters. Dr Don would leave Radio Dublin in June 1977 to set up his own station ARD.
This recording was made by Kieran Murray from 1187 kHz AM, announcing 253 metres, on 27th February 1977 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Audio quality is mixed given the rudimentary technical set-up and passage of time since the cassette was recorded.
Energy logo from a newspaper advert in 1986 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
On the August bank holiday weekend 1986, Dublin pirate Energy 103 broadcast the Listeners’ Top 100. Presented by Gareth O’Callaghan, the marathon broadcast lasted the entire day and was based on phone votes from listeners. News on the hour is read by Cathy Kelly.
The tape was made from 103 FM between From 1540-1628 and 1636-1724 on Monday 4th August 1986 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
