Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive - Page 12 of 160

23rd October 202322nd October 2023

Nails Mahoney on Sunshine 101

Bee Bop Gold was a hugely popular oldies show broadcast on Dublin super-pirate Sunshine Radio towards the end of its eight-year run on air, by which time the station had been rebranded as Sunshine Hot Hits 101. The presenter was Nails Mahoney, who would go on to have a successful radio and television career in Ireland, the UK and Canada, including on longwave giant Atlantic 252.

This tape features a special late-night bank holiday edition of Bee Bop Gold, featuring hits from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. An animated Nails Mahoney takes requests from listeners on air and promotes a competition. The show is sponsored by health supplements company Seven Seas and commercial breaks contain high-level agency adverts indicating the commercial success of Sunshine 101. There are several references to a radio survey in 1988 that put the station first in Dublin, an achievement that is also centre-stage in the advertisement above.

Our recording was made from 101 FM on 30^th and 31^st October 1988 between 2307 and 0037. It is courtesy of John Breslin.

18th October 202318th October 2023

Late-night love songs on Heartbeat FM

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Heartbeat FM was a popular 1980s Dublin station specialising in love songs. It was launched in November 1986 and was rebranded as Cara FM the following year, before reverting to Heartbeat because its audience preferred the original name. The station closed down at the end of 1988 to comply with new broadcasting legislation. The love song format proved highly popular and was used by some pirates that continued into the 1990s including Radio Dublin.

This recording was made towards the end of the station’s run and features Ian Turner’s evening show with plenty of requests from loyal listeners and a remind that Heartbeat is the most listened to specialist station in Dublin according to the latest radio survey. Ian is followed by Maurice Nevin (RIP) with his Radio Late show until the early hours. The tape was made between 2135 and 2305 on 11^th November 1988 from 95.5 FM and is courtesy of John Breslin.

16th October 20238th October 2023

Late night shows on Dublin’s Super Q

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Dublin super-pirate Q102 was relaunched as ‘Super Q’ in the summer of 1988, just a few months before the vast majority of pirates left the airwaves for good. The new format was introduced by US radio consultant Bill Cunningham, who had previously revamped Sunshine Radio as ‘Sunshine Hot Hits 101’ in 1986. Following the closure of Energy 103 in March 1988, Q102 and Sunshine became the largest and most successful Dublin pirates, capitalising on advertising revenue before the radio sector was legalised. Q102 closed down on 30^th December.

This recording is from the last autumn of Q102’s four-year stint and features a flavour of late-night programing. First up is Tom Brown ending his show before midnight. He is followed by Mike Duggan on the overnight slot until 0600. Given the time of night, there is little talk and no adverts, but arguably the sound is less engaging than Q102 before the rebranding, when the station had an iconic jingle package and friendly on-air style.

The tape runs from 2345-0115 on 16^th and 17^th October 1988 and was made from 102 FM. Thanks to John Breslin for the donation.

4th October 20232nd October 2023

Lunchtime shows on Radio Cill Dara

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Radio Cill Dara commenced regular programmes in March 1978 following teat transmissions, on an announced wavelength of 270 metres medium wave, but using an off-channel crystal cut for 1120.5 kHz. The station was based in Naas in Co. Kildare, but announced a contact address in Newbridge. A mixed music format was broadcast including the latest pop, along with oldies, country and new Irish sounds. Community news and interviews were also featured.

Transmissions were scheduled initially on Sundays from 1000-1800, later extending to Saturdays and Wednesday nights. The staff included ex Radio Dublin DJs Jimmy St Ledger, Johnny Day and Alistair Mac. Radio Cill Dara celebrated its first birthday on 18^th February 1979 and as they had never suffered a raid in that first year, they made it a double celebration! The station continued through 1979, but suffered technical problems with the 500-watt transmitter.

It is not clear when transmissions on medium wave finished, but Radio Cill Dara International appeared on 6260 kHz shortwave later in the year. It was logged for example on 28^th October. Transmissions were made most Sundays from 1000-1300, but had disappeared by the following year.

The recording is from 4^th June 1978 from 1200-1238 and features the end of Johnny Day’s programme followed by Jimmy St Ledger. Thanks to Jimmy for the audio and to Ian Biggar for accompanying text.

2nd October 20232nd October 2023

Erneside Community Radio heard in English midlands

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Erneside Community was one of several pirates broadcasting from Co. Cavan during the 1980s. It was a strong supporter of local country and western artists throughout its four years on air. Erneside began test transmissions in January 1985 and started full programming on 25^th February, broadcasting on 1251 kHz (announcing 240 metres). A detailed report by Seán Brady of Cavan Community Radio in the Anoraks UK Weekly Report of 31^st March 1985 described the ‘Cavan Radio Explosion’ and noted that Erneside broadcast from 8am to midnight, specialising mostly in Irish country and western music. Erneside also had an outside broadcast unit that had travelled to Counties Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh and carried community notices each day. The station later added FM and continued to broadcast until 30^th December 1988.

This tape was recorded in the English midlands and is of DX quality, with plenty of deep fading and interference. No times were noted on the cassette, but it was made during the afternoon of 13^th November 1985 as winter darkness fell. There are adverts from both sides of the border in the run-up to the busy Christmas period. The first DJ is Brian Gold and he is followed by Don Woods.

This recording is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England.