More Chris Cary on KISS FM

More Chris Cary on KISS FM
Chris Cary cartoon by Terry Villers (courtesy Sybil Fennell).

This is another recording of Radio Nova founder and boss, Chris Cary, using the name Harry cary on the Nova offshoot station, KISS FM. Chris mentions the visit of a youth club to the studios of Nova and KISS FM that day and says that other such groups would be welcome at the weekends. There are high-level agency adverts and news is read by Bryan Dobson, who would go on to a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made between 1837-1911 from 102.7 FM on Sunday 17th April 1983 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Chris Cary on KISS FM

Chris Cary on KISS FM
Chris Cary in Camberley, England (courtesy Sybil Fennell).

KISS FM (1982-1984) was one of several offshoots of the large Dublin pirate radio Nova. In this recording, Nova founder and boss Chris Cary is on air using the name Harry Cary. He is followed by Chris Barry with a late-night programme. The final part of the recording switches from KISS FM to Nova itself for a few minutes. ‘Independent Radio News from Ireland’ on both services is read by Ken Hammond, who would go on to have a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made from from 102.7 FM and then 88.2 FM on Sunday 10th April 1983 between 2040-2114. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Border series: Country requests on Misty Mountain Radio

Border series: Country requests on Misty Mountain Radio

Misty Mountain Radio broadcast from the Cavan border region in the 2000s, specialising in show bands and country and Irish music. In this recording, DJ Mark Gregory has a CD to giveaway and there are requests from listeners around the county. The recording was made between from 106.2 FM between 2056-2200 on 15th January 2007.

Thanks to Ian Biggar for donating the tape, which was recorded originally by Brian Johnson. There is no known link between this station and the shortwave pirate Misty Mountain Radio that broadcast from the border region in the 1980s.   

Early Cork series: more summer sounds on Radio City

Early Cork series: more summer sounds on Radio City
Alan Edwards at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This is another recording of Cork pirate Radio City in summer 1981. First up is the end of the community association programme with Seán Collins, followed by Alan Edwards with his weekly early Saturday evening slot. Alan plays mostly chart hits including plenty of Irish tunes and some oldies thrown in. There are plenty of requests from listeners but few adverts. He is followed by Steve Douglas.

The recording was made from approximately 1700-1900 (with some edits) from 88.4 FM on Saturday 13th June 1981. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue.

Declan Meehan on Sunshine Radio in 1982

Declan Meehan on Sunshine Radio in 1982
Declan Meehan at the controls in the early days of Sunshine Radio (courtesy Ian Biggar).

This recording of popular DJ Declan Meehan on Sunshine Radio was made in summer 1982, as the north Dublin station approached its second birthday. Along with the usual mixture of contemporary hits and oldies, there’s mention of the ongoing World Cup tournament and the Sunshine Radio rock concert in Malahide Castle that evening. Commercial breaks include an advert for Tamango’s nightclub in the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock where Sunshine was based. There’s also a cash prize giveaway based on a car registration number. News is read by Siobhán Walls, who had previously worked in pirate radio in Cork. Declan Meehan would move to Sunshine’s great rival Radio Nova the following month.

The recording was made from 531 kHz between 1642-1727 on Friday 18th June 1982. After a wobbly start, audio quality is good. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.