Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive
Open Free Radio Archive
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This is another example of Sunday programming on Cork pirate Radio City from 1981. On air is Susan James (O’Connor) with the Groove Line, a mixture of slow classic and chart tunes. There are also some adverts for local businesses. Susan is followed by Ronnie Gibson with contemporary album music.
The recording was made from 95.7 FM on Sunday 8th March 1981 from 1900-2005. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.
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This is a rare early recording of Radio Dublin (1966-2002) featuring the legendary Don Moore (RIP) on a test transmission in 1975. By this time, the Dublin pirate scene was quiet following a raid on Radio Empathy in 1974 and Radio Dublin had been off the air for a year. By 1975, pirate activity had shifted to shortwave, believed to be of less interest to the authorities than medium wave, and Dr Don was operating Radio Westside (later Westside Radio International). However, both he and Prince Terry (Roger Lloyd) were determined to put Radio Dublin back on medium wave and began testing with a new transmitter in October, covering the northside of the city on 30 watts. That summer, Capitol Radio had appeared on 1358 kHz (announcing 220 metres) and with the return of regular weekend broadcasts by Radio Dublin, the new activity ultimately paved the way for the rapid expansion of pirate radio in the late 1970s and 1980s.
In this short recording, Dr Don sends best wishes to Capitol Radio on 220 metres and also mentions that another shortwave pirate, Radio Valleri would return soon. Don signs off by saying that he will shortly be testing on his own shortwave station, Radio Westside. We estimate the date of this untimed recording to be Sunday 12th October 1985. It was made by Gary Hogg from 1183 kHz (off-channel, announcing 253 metres). Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.
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South West Radio broadcast from Killarney in Co. Kerry from 1986-1988. It was logged by Anoraks Ireland in November 1986 on 105 FM and listed by Anoraks UK as South West Community Radio in January 1987. By 1988, the station had added additional transmitters to boost coverage (97.1 FM for Killarney and Tralee and 103.3 for north Kerry). This recording is of a marathon breakfast show presented by John Howard (Niall Cassidy), who plays mostly country and Irish music. Adverts are heard for businesses in Kerry and north Cork, including one for the Radio Mallow music awards. There’s also a call from a listener who plays the tin whistle live on air and in keeping with some other rural stations, the Angelus bell is broadcast at midday. Niall Cassidy worked previously with Diamond Radio in Dublin (1984).
The recording was made from 97.1 FM between 0831-0902 and 1156-1227 on Saturday 5th November 1988 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
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This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features Sunday lunchtime programmes from the spring of 1981. Up first is John Mariner with what appears to be his last show. He is followed by Derry O’Callaghan with the Radio City Top 40. There are some adverts during the broadcast and a charity appeal to listeners. Audio levels are variable with some distortion on the links and adverts.
The tape was made from 95.7 FM on Sunday 8th March 1981 from 1237 to 1402, with an edit in the middle. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.
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Sunshine Radio was one of Dublin’s leading pirate stations, broadcasting from 1980-1988. This recording is of mid-morning programmes from the spring of 1984, before the RTÉ jamming campaign against the pirates would extend to Sunshine. First up is the end of the breakfast show with David Lyons and Cathy Cregan, who are followed by Tony Garreth (Gareth O’Callaghan) with a 3-hour music show until midday. There is a holiday slot and other features, as well as the familiar high-level adverts for larger businesses and brands. News is read by Gary Miley and Cathy Cregan.
The recording was made from 101.5 FM between 0854-1034 on Thursday 1st March 1984 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Gareth O’Callaghan later moved to other Dublin pirates Radio Nova and Energy 103 and continues to broadcast on independent radio to this day.