Full recordings Archives - Page 3 of 117 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

28th February 20251st March 2025

Border series: Short-lived pirate 106 FM from Donegal

106 FM was a short-lived pirate station broadcasting to Derry from just across the border in Donegal in 2001. The station was run by Delbert Jackson, a former DJ from another Donegal-based pirate, Riverside 101. However, reflecting a stricter approach to the pirates at the time, 106 FM only managed to broadcast for a few months from April before leaving the airwaves for good.

In June, it was reported in an online radio forum that 106 FM was off the air following the theft of equipment, but planned to return shortly. In a letter to Ian Biggar on 15^th September 2001, Andy Craig (formerly of Riverside 101) mentioned that Department of Communications officials had visited Donegal in August to raid 106 FM and another pirate, Tyrone Community Radio (TCR), which despite the name broadcast from near Lifford in the Republic. It was believed that the raid occurred as a result of a complaint from a rival station.

Other Donegal pirates Drive 105, Radio North and WABC switched of their transmitters at the time as a precaution. The DJ on air at 106 FM at the time of the raid was reportedly arrested by Gardaí and Eddie Barr who was on air at WABC was told to keep the transmitter switched off (WABC was never to return). No other pirates were visited, and they had returned to the air by the time of the letter.

This recording of 106 FM is of a test transmission and was made on 18^th April 2001 between 1320-1450. It features continuous music with recorded links giving a Northern phone number and email address as well as professional station liners. The tape was made by Rodney Neill and is kindly donated by Ian Biggar, who also provided background information. Reception quality is good with some fading, as the recording was made in Portadown, some distance from the Derry/Donegal border.

19th February 202520th February 2025

Border series: Late-night music on FM 100

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FM 100 was one of many border pirates to ignore the new broadcasting legislation that came into effect in the Republic of Ireland at the start of 1989. It used the studios and transmitters of previous pirate KITS in Monaghan Town, that had closed at the end of 1988, and beamed its signal across Northern Ireland. FM 100 launched on 26^th July 1989, with the first live show presented by John Friday (Lawrence John), who also programmed the station. Complaining about the lack of an all-music station in the North, FM 100 launched the ‘Campaign for Music Radio in Ulster’ but despite claiming ‘province-wide’ coverage with the support of advertising campaigns and fund-raising events, the station fizzled out after a few months in late 1989.

This recording of FM 100 from autumn 1989 is of a late-night show featuring pop and chart music. Adverts are heard for businesses in Armagh and Down and an advertising promo gives a Craigavon contact number, reflecting new restrictions on pirates taking advertising in the Republic. The strapline ‘Province-wide: Ulster’s newest, Ulster’s best’ is used by DJ Noel McStay and there are professional jingles and liners. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 100 FM on Tuesday 5^th September 1989 from 2200-2242. FM 100 also broadcast on 103.25 FM in Newry and South Down.

14th February 202520th February 2025

Border series: Radio North closes down at end of 1988,

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Along with the vast majority of the other pirates, the Donegal station Radio North closed down at the end of 1988 in compliance with new broadcasting legislation. This recording of the final hour of Radio North on New Year’s Eve is presented by Mickey Henry who shares many requests from loyal listeners on both sides of the border, including one who has recorded most of the shows for posterity. Other presenters join Mickey in studio and there is a supportive phone call from neighbouring pirate Donegal Community Radio (DCR).

The closedown speech just before midnight is read by station manager Francis Callaghan, who thanks everyone involved over the previous two years. Although the transmitter is about to be switched off, he hints that more is to come when he says that Radio North will be bigger and better than ever in 1989.

The recording was made by Rodney Neill from 98 FM between 2302-0000 on December 31^st 1988 and is courtesy of DX Archive. Within days, Radio North would return to the airwaves.

7th February 20253rd February 2025

Stuart Scott on Eastside Radio

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Cork’s most successful pirate station Radio ERI (1982-1988) began its life in early 1982 in the east Cork village of Ballycotton. It was known various as Cork Eastside Radio, Eastside Recording Ireland, Eastside Radio and then Eastside Radio Ireland, abbreviated to ERI. The station expanded its operations in 1983, moving to better studio facilities and installing a powerful 5kW AM transmitter on the edge of Cork city. It saw off competition from many other aspiring stations and remained dominant in the Cork market until its closure at the end of 1988.

This recording of Eastside Radio, as it was then known, was made a few months after the station began broadcasting, when it was still based in Ballycotton. Presenting the breakfast show is long-time supporter of Pirate.ie, Ian Biggar, known by his on-air name of Stuart Scott. Adverts are scarce for the time of day, perhaps reflecting the fact that the station was still establishing itself. News headlines are read by Ian on the half-hour, the new Top 40 is announced and he mentions that Eastside is to hold an outside broadcast later that day from the seaside town of Youghal.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 102.2 FM from 0653-0827 on Monday 23^rd August 1982. Eastside/ERI also broadcast on 1305 kHz (announcing 225 metres) at this time and for most of its existence.

5th February 202520th February 2025

Border series: More early Radio North from Donegal

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This is another early recording of the long-running Donegal pirate Radio North shortly after its launch in the winter of 1986. On air is ex-Voice of Peace DJ Mark Warner with a morning musical mix of folk, oldies, country and some pop. The first adverts for local businesses are aired in the busy pre-Christmas period. An advertising promo for the station mentions businesses in Northern Ireland, where Radio North always had a following. News is read by former Radio Caroline DJ Ian Akers.

The recording was made on 9^th December 1986 from 98 FM between 0918-1020. Radio North also broadcast on 1404 kHz AM at this time, before moving to the clearer frequency of 846 kHz in 1987. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.