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Hugh O’Brien and David Dennehy on ARD

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Hugh O'Brien and David Dennehy on ARD
ARD’s aerial at the Crofton Hotel in 1981 (courtesy Noel Hiney).

This recording of Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) was made on a Saturday afternoon in 1981. Hugh O’Brien is on air with mostly oldies and is joined by David Dennehy with sports news. Both would be heard on other pirates throughout the 1980s and on licensed radio thereafter. The recording includes a news flash about the highjacking of an Aer Lingus plane in Paris.

There are plenty of adverts including one for Channel 3 television, later to be known as Channel D. Channel 3 was one of a handful of short-lived pirate television stations broadcasting in the 1980s. It was set up by Don Moore of ARD and Michael Tiernan of the National Independent Broadcasting Organisation, a grouping of commercial pirate stations. Other voices heard on adverts are Paul Vincent, Dave C. and Tony Allan. The cassette has become degraded over time and there is some audio distortion.

Hugh O'Brien and David Dennehy on ARD
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The recording was made from 99.9 FM from 1659-1745 on 2nd May 1981. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

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James Dillon in the early days of Big D

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James Dillon in the early days of Big D
Big D sticker (courtesy Bill Ebrill)

This is a recording of the founder of Big D, James Dillon, in the early days of the station in May 1978. The Big D song by fellow DJ John Paul is heard, as is the station’s former theme tune, Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, James explaining that it was used on test transmissions. There are requests for listeners around the city, a live-read advert and a promo for a classical music show on Sunday morning.

We have no times for the recording but an edit is heard near the start. It was made from 1115 kHz (announcing 273 metres) by Alan Hilton, presumably in Co. Wicklow. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.

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James Dillon on Big D at Christmas 1980

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James Dillon on Big D at Christmas 1980
James Dillon in 1982 (courtesy DX Archive).

This recording is of Big D founder James Dillon on air over the Christmas holidays 1980. James gives racing tips for the fixture at Leopardstown later in the day and thanks listeners for Christmas gifts. There’s a promo for a mystery sound competition later in which listeners can win an LP. Audio is variable on adverts and there is some distortion on the links.

Within a year, the Big D was in terminal decline as more professional stations came to dominate the Dublin scene. An attempt to relaunch as Big D Automated in 1982 was unsuccessful. The recording was made between 1208-1255 on 29th December 1980 from 98.2 FM. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

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Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel (3rd February 1985)

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Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel (3rd February 1985)

This recording of Gerard Roe’s Free Radio Campaign (FRC) show on Radio Annabel dates from spring 1985. As usual, the FRC kicks of with the news from the same week in the previous year, including RTÉ jamming of Radio Nova. There’s a feature about Irish pirate radio by a US station in 1982, including an interview with Sunshine Radio’s Robbie Robinson. Gerard complains about the crowded FM band in Dublin and criticises irresponsible behaviour and poor technical quality among some pirate operators. There’s also a 1981 recording of an RTÉ spoof on the pirates called ‘Grot Radio’ and recordings from the same year when the radio ship the MV Lieve was being kitted out in Dublin.

Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel (3rd February 1985)
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The programme was recorded from 1730-1812 on Sunday 3rd February 1985 from 91.8 FM. There was a late start due to technical issues and signal quality is fair. Radio Annabel also broadcast on 1323 kHz, announcing 227 metres. This recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Listen here to Pirate.ie Podcast #10 featuring our interview with Gerard Roe about his memories of pirate radio.

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Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel (10 June 1984)

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Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel (10 June 1984)
Radio Annabel advert in the Sunday World, 06.01.1985 (Alan MacSimoin Collection).

Radio Annabel began broadcasting in September 1983 and soon became the new home for Gerard Roe’s popular Free Radio Campaign (FRC) show. Facilities and coverage were better than at Radio Dublin Channel 2 and the FRC moved to a Sunday afternoon slot. In this recording from summer 1984, Gerard begins with a recap of news from the same week the previous year, which included the renowned £6,000 giveaway by Radio Nova. There’s also a recording of Andromeda Independent Radio from Manchester and a feature about the use of pirate radio for political reasons. Radio Sinn Féin is reported to be on air in advance of the European elections and Gerard notes previous radio activity by Republicans, including disruption to existing pirates. The show also covers the 20th anniversary of Manx Radio.

Gerard Roe on Radio Annabel (10 June 1984)
Original label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Our recording was made from 98.3 FM from 1405-1507 on Sunday, 10th June 1984. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. Listen here to Pirate.ie Podcast #10 featuring our interview with Gerard Roe about his memories of pirate radio, including the move from Radio Dublin to Radio Annabel.