Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

5th April 20242nd April 2024

Afternoon on Centre Radio (Clonmel)

Centre Radio from Clonmel in Co. Tipperary was an offshoot of an existing local station, the Clonmel Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Centre was set up in April 1986 as a more youth-oriented service than the existing CBC, which had been on air since 1981. In 1987, Centre was rebranded as Premier County Radio, which continued until the deadline for the pirates to close at midnight on New Year’s Eve 1988.

This recording features part of an afternoon show presented by an unidentified DJ. Eoin Ryan reads racing results and there is also a news bulletin at five minutes to the hour. Centre’s news service is promoted regularly and the station claims to have the most comprehensive output in the region. Adverts cover Clonmel and surrounding towns.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 88 FM between 1527-1612 on Thursday 5^th June 1986. Centre Radio also broadcast on 101 FM and on 1251 kHz AM (240 metres).

3rd April 202410th April 2024

Late-night Sunday on ABC Radio

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Waterford station ABC Radio broadcast from 3^rd March 1982 until 29^th December 1988 and became one of the country’s most popular and successful pirates. From humble origins in a caravan in the coastal resort of Tramore, it moved into Waterford City in 1985. ABC covered the southeast on 1026 kHz AM and a series of local FM transmitters. In this recording from 1986, Jimmy Ryan is on air with a relaxed late-night Sunday music show, featuring long sets with limited talk and no adverts. A station promo mentions towns in Tipperary and Wexford, emphasising ABC’s coverage beyond Co. Waterford.

The recording was made between 2201-2246 on 15^th June 1986 from 103.2 FM, a 2 kW transmitter from Tory Hill north of Waterford City that covered a large part of the southeast. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

27th March 202418th March 2024

Afternoon Spin on Community Radio 257

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Community Radio 257 broadcast for about six months in 1983 from the north Dublin suburb of Clontarf. It was run by John Thewlis who had previously operated Echo Radio from the same location in 1982. Community Radio 257 emerged following the raids on the big pirates in May 1983 and later moved to Portmarnock in north Co. Dublin, before closing down that November. Community Radio 257 had big plans and many capable DJs were involved but recordings of the station reveal that advertising revenue was slow.

In this recording, Conor Cuddihy presents the Afternoon Spin programme, consisting of music and station promos, including one for the 257 Radiophonic Institute that promised to train presenters and producers. Jingles are both generic and recycled from the original Radio 257 in 1980. News is read by Fergal Conneely. The recording was made on Thursday 25^th August 1983 from 94 FM between 1304 and 1444. Community Radio 257 also broadcast on 1116 kHz AM. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

25th March 202423rd September 2024

South Coast Countdown with Keith York

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South Coast Radio (1982-1984) was one of the successful Cork stations of the pirate era. Although it never achieved the longevity of the other Cork giant ERI, South Coast was a slick operation from its launch on March 3^rd 1982 and introduced professionalism not heard on the earlier wave of pirates in the city. This recording from the final year of South Coast was made on a sunny Saturday in the spring of 1984. On air is one of the high-profile DJs associated with the station, Keith York (RIP), presenting the weekly Top 50 countdown. A promo voiced by the legendary Tony Allan (RIP) informs listeners that the countdown is compiled from phone research, record sales and station airplay in Munster. In this recording, Keith is followed by George Long.

South Coast Radio closed down on 13^th July 1984. The tape was made from 102.15 FM, announcing 104, from 1440-1615 on 7^th April 1984. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

23rd March 202423rd March 2024

Mark O’Toole RIP

it is with sadness that on 22/03/2024 we learned of the death of Mark O’Toole – Mark was the founder of Charity Radio and his lifetime was filled with radio experience from Wonderland Radio to Chairperson of Tallaght Community Radio to popular All 80s radio – Mark was active on MW, SW and FM over the decades. His friends at Charity Radio are shocked by the news which filtered in on Friday evening.

Mark was very generous with his time and was a great fixer in the radio business. He was active outside of broadcasting with Community Centres, Food Banks and the work he did with the Irish Heart Foundation. Our condolences to his Family, Friends and the wider radio community who knew Mark. 73’s and respect to his vision and actions which are all around us.

In 2015 I sat down with Mark for a college project where he got to explain the reasons he set up Radioactive now Charity Radio.

Having previously been founder & chairperson of Tallaght Community Radio back in the 1990s Mark knew about the power of radio in audience reach and advocacy. For Mark this was a light bulb moment. Radio could help the Irish Heart Foundation. Advertising is very effective but it’s also very expensive, what if there were a platform where charities could advertise for free? From humble beginnings on a laptop in a bedroom Charity Radio was born in Walkinstown.

full written article is here Charity begins at home in Walkinstown

and a 15 minute interview with Mark is here

briangreene · CHARITY RADIO – Interview with Mark O’Toole