Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

17th August 20221st August 2022

Breakfast on WLS with Don Stevens

This recording of Galway pirate WLS Music Radio features one of the station founders, Don Stevens, on the breakfast programme. Made on a frosty morning in Galway a month before Christmas, it begins with the ‘coffee break’ easy listening segment aimed at ‘housewives’. The musical choice includes some country and Christmas songs. There’s also a promo for a local charity event.

This recording was made on 26^th November 1985 from 0906-0953. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

15th August 20221st August 2022

Don Stevens and Pamela Wilson on WLS

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This recording of Galway pirate WLS Music Radio was made in November 1985. It begins with the final half-hour of the Sunshine Special breakfast show presented by Don Stevens, one of the station’s founders. He is followed at 1000 by Pamela Wilson, formerly of ERI in Cork. News is read by Chris Ashford and there are many adverts for local Galway businesses.

Made on 13^th November 1985 from 102.7 FM, part 1 above runs from 0933-1019 and part 2 below from 1020-1106.

Part 2 from 1020.

This recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

12th August 20222nd August 2022

Pamela Wilson and Keith York on WLS

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This recording of WLS Music Radio from Galway was made in the autumn of 1985 and features two of the station’s top presenters, Pamela Wilson and Keith York (RIP). It begins with a love songs spot on Pamela’s programme, which is packed with local adverts. There are also shout-outs to listeners in shops and businesses around town. News on the hour is read by Chris Ashford. Pamela is followed at midday by Keith York, who was one of the station’s founders. There’s an indirect reference to the Voice of Peace, the offshore station where Keith worked before coming to Ireland.

Made from 102.7 FM on 4^th October 1985, part 1 above runs from 1121-1207 and part 2 below from 1207-1253.

Part 2 from 1253.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

10th August 20226th August 2022

Lunchtime on WLS Music Radio

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This recording of WLS Music Radio from Galway features lunchtime programmes from autumn 1985, about six months after the station began broadcasting. Pamela Wilson, formerly of ERI in Cork, is on air until 1400. She is followed by one of the station founders, former Voice of Peace DJ Steve Marshall. News with Laura Landers (not Andrews as indicated on the label) includes a reference to the ‘bay area’, a phrase borrowed from Radio Nova in Dublin, then at the peak of its influence on the Irish radio scene.

The tape was recorded from 102.7 FM on 26^th September 1985. Part 1 above runs from 1241-1327 and part 2 below from 1327-1413. Audio quality is fair with some distortion in places.

Part 2 from 1327

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

7th August 20227th August 2022

Solid Gold Sunday on WLS Music Radio

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This recording of commercial Galway pirate WLS Music Radio (1985-1987) features the Solid Gold Sunday programme presented by one of the station founders, former offshore DJ Steve Marshall. Steve worked in Cork pirates such as South Coast Radio, ERI and WKLR before coming to Galway. Today’s tape was recorded on 22^nd September 1985 from 102.7 FM and includes a promo for the station at the top of the hour. Audio quality is fair to poor in places and it is not clear if this is due to a degraded cassette or a problem with the receiver or recorder.

Part 1 above runs from 1458-1544 and part 2 below from 1544-1630.

Part 2 from 1544

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.