Full recordings Archives - Page 32 of 137 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

27th September 202420th February 2025

Border series: FM 100 broadcasting from Monaghan

FM 100 was one of many pirates that defied the new broadcasting legislation in 1989. Based in Monaghan town, it was owned by Frank McCarthy (RIP) and programmed by Lawrence John. Using the studios and transmitter of former pirate KITS that closed at the end of 1988, FM 100 was first noted testing by Anoraks UK Weekly Report on Saturday 15^th July 1989. An AM frequency of 1116 kHz was added on 19^th July and regular live shows were expected within days. As stated by Weekly Report: ‘For the first time since the end of 1988, Radio Star Country (981) has a neighbour, although most certainly not competition, due to their 100% country and Irish format’.

FM 100 launched on 26^th July 1989, with the first live show presented by John Friday (Lawrence John), formerly of Monaghan super-pirate KISS FM and various other stations. The station’s aim was to secure a music licence for Northern Ireland to fill the gap left by the demise of the pirates south of the border. Weekly Report of 29^th July commented: ‘The latest area to show dissatisfaction with the current radio situation is the border area of Ireland. A province-wide drive to try to persuade the Home Secretary to grant a licence for an all music station for Northern Ireland is already underway. The “Campaign for Music Radio in Ulster” is being spearheaded by the new Monaghan-based station “FM 100” and expected to be assisted by all the other border and NI pirate operators. Apparently a survey has shown that 83% of the 15-39 age group want a music station, whilst the IBA and Government continue to ignore their requests for this type of radio for which a demand clearly exists. Marches and rallies are expected to be organised in the province to support the cause’.

American-produced messages to support the campaign were due to be aired on FM 100 and other border pirates but these failed to materialise because, according to Weekly Report, the tapes went missing while crossing the Atlantic. Many of the presenters were originally from KITS and former Louth pirate Zee 103, with names other than John Friday including Graham Marks, Ollie Clarke, Noel McStay, Paul Thomas, Gary Peach, Terri Hooley, the Gooseman and Roy McKee. Adverts were heard as well as promos for the ‘music radio for Ulster’ campaign and by August there was an increase in power and a relay into Newry by Magic 103 on 103.25. A big night out was planned in a Belfast nightclub in September where petitions would be available, along with t-shirts and car stickers.

FM 100 lasted for a few months but failed to get much traction with the local audience. It was also interfering with Century Radio’s Dublin FM transmitter, although this was not aimed at the border region. Eventually FM 100 changed to 102 FM and re-named as KIKX Kicks 102 in November but lasted only a few more weeks before leaving the airwaves.

This recording is of Peter Wright (ex KITS) from 1235-1409 on Thursday 19^th October 1989, recorded from 102 FM. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection. Thanks to Rodney Neill for background information and the stickers.

20th September 202415th September 2024

Love songs at drivetime on Cara 95

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Cara 95 was a temporary name given to the Dublin love songs station Heartbeat FM (1986-1988). Rebranded as Cara in 1987, the change was shortlived as listeners prefered the original title. The diet of love songs proved popular even in the crowded Dublin radio market and Heartbeat had built up a loyal following by its closure at the end of 1988. It returned as a pirate in the 1990s, subsequently broadcast under a temporary licence and continues today online.

This recording of Cara 95 features the evening drivetime show presented by Eamonn Kelly, formerly heard on Cork station ERI and Dublin station Q102. There are adverts for local businesses but not a huge amount for the time of day, perhaps reflecting waning popularity due to the name change. The show includes traffic updates, a holiday magazine slot and a mystery movie competition. News is read by Maurice Nevin (RIP). Of note is the reference to ‘digital stereo on CD’, reflecting the growing popularity of the compact disk at the time.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 95.5 FM on Thursday 1^st October 1987 from 1620-1751.

11th September 202422nd September 2024

Gerry Stevens on Energy 103 lunchtime

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Energy 103 was one of the most successful Dublin stations at the end of the pirate era, broadcasting from April 1986 until March 1988. This recording is of a familiar voice on Energy, Gerry Stevens (Lang) with a lunchtime show in the summer of 1986. There are the usual high-level adverts for larger businesses and brands and the slick Energy jingles. News is read by Dave Johnson (Andrew Hanlon) and George Long (Henry O’Donovan, RIP). The daily news quiz attracts many callers during lunch hour.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103 FM on Wednesday 23^rd July 1986 from 1244-1420. Energy 103 also broadcast on 738 kHz AM.

9th September 20241st September 2024

Evening drivetime with DJ Lee on Radio Leinster

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Radio Leinster was a multi-format station broadcasting to Dublin and surrounding areas from 1981-1983. The music style was MOR/easy-listening and there were also specialist programmes covering a wide range of genres.

This recording features a familiar voice on the Dublin pirates, DJ Lee, presenting the evening Bumper to Bumper show. The programme includes traffic reports, a listeners’ competition, featured albums, the Ramble Around Dublin slot, TV movies and a city events guide. Adverts are heard for businesses throughout Dublin and news on the hour is read by Gary Miley, who would later work for Sunshine Radio and eventually RTÉ. News at 1900 is edited out but Lee is followed by Conor Brooks with a Top 40 show, presumably one of Radio Leinster’s specialist programmes. Conor would later be heard on alternative/indie station Capitol/Nitesky 96.

Radio Leinster broadcast on 738 kHz AM (announcing 406 metres), using a professionally-built 1kW transmitter, and on 93 FM. It closed suddenly on 19^th May 1983, following the raids on Sunshine and Radio Nova. This recording was made from FM on Tuesday 18^th January 1983 between 1730 and 1908 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

6th September 202431st August 2024

Lunchtime on Liberties Local Community Radio

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Liberties Local Community Radio (LLCR) began broadcasting on 4^th April 1986 from the Liberties area of south-central Dublin. Initially community-focused, LLCR later became a popular commercial station that carved out a loyal listenership in the crowded Dublin radio market. Standards varied with some presenters very young and inexperienced but several big names passed through the doors also, including Tony Allen (RIP), Peter Madison (RIP), Kieran Murray and Teena Gates. LLCR went through a number of name changes including Liberties Radio, Liberty Radio and Liberty 104 during its nearly three years on air. Initially on 1035 kHz AM and 96.7 FM locally, the station later moved to 104.5 and 107 FM and extended its coverage across the city. It closed suddenly on December 20^th 1988, more than a week before the deadline imposed by the new broadcasting legislation.

This recording of LLCR was made on Wednesday 9^th July 1986 from 1143-1231 and 1258-1346. Tommy Matthews is the DJ until 1200 and he is followed by John Keogh with the lunchtime show (the label above is inaccurate). There is the usual mix of mostly chart music and chat interspersed by adverts for local businesses, mostly in the Liberties. The first part was recorded from 107.1 FM and the second from 104.5 FM and the tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.