Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive - Page 75 of 160

20th August 202119th August 2021

Sunshine Radio at the heart of a political storm

There was a complex relationship between the political class and pirate radio: on the one hand, politicians did not want to be seen to legitimise unlicensed stations but on the other, they needed local publicity at election time. Political instability during this period was a contributing factor to the free-for-all on the airwaves and two general elections were held in 1982, in February and November. Sunshine Radio went as far as to endorse Fianna Fáil, then in opposition, in the February election because of that party’s support for broadcasting legislation. However, Sunshine quickly found itself in hot water over interviews it broadcast with politicians before the November election.

A few weeks previously, in an attempt to weaken the influence of the pirates, RTÉ said it would ban politicians who were interviewed on unlicensed stations. On 22^nd November, two days before the election, interviews with TDs Albert Reynolds of Fianna Fáil and Michael Keating of Fine Gael were aired by Sunshine, causing consternation in political circles and making the front pages of all the daily newspapers. Station boss Robbie Dale (Robinson) took to the air the following day to explain that the interviews had in fact been recored in February before the RTÉ ban came into effect, and apologised to the politicians involved.

In this recording, Robbie Dale explains the background to the case and criticises the media coverage of the story. He also takes several callers live on air, who give their views about the controversy. The recording was made from 100.5 FM from 1130-1200 on 23^rd November 1982 and was donated by Shay Geoghegan.

18th August 202118th August 2021

Irish language show on KISS FM

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Irish language was marginal on most of Irish pirate radio, although there were notable exceptions such as Saor-Radio Chonamara (1970), which led to the establishment of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. The Irish language body Conradh na Gaeilge set up its own station Raidió an Phobail in Dublin in 1979, but it was short-lived and beset with technical problems. In the 1980s, Conradh na Gaeilge collaborated with community stations such as North Dublin Community Radio (NDCR), Bray Local Broadcasting (BLB) and Kilkenny Community Radio (KCR), which had Irish programmes. Belfast’s licensed Irish language community station, Raidió Fáilte, has its roots in a pirate dating back to the 1980s. Other niche stations featured some Irish, such as Radio na nGael in Swords in north Co. Dublin, and Irish was used occasionally on the irregular stations run by republican groups.

Bhí an Ghaeilge imeallach ar an raidió bradach den chuid is mó, cé go raibh eisceachtaí ann ar nós Saor-Radio Chonamara a spreag bunú RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. In 1979, bhí stáisiún dá chuid féin ag Conradh na Gaeilge, Raidió an Phobail ach bhí fadhbanna teicniúla aige. Ina dhiaidh sin, thacaigh an Conradh le cláracha Gaeilge ar na stáisiúin bhradacha phobail ar fud na tíre. Ba mar stáisiún bradach a thosaigh Raidió Fáilte i mBéal Feirste. Bhíodh roinnt Gaeilge ar shainstáisiúin eile ar nós Radio na nGael agus stáisiúin ócáideacha á rith ag poblachtánaigh.

Irish was notably absent on commercial radio, although some stations offered discounts to advertisers using Irish. This is a rare recording of an Irish programme on none other than the Radio Nova offshoot, KISS FM. It was made from 1005-1112 on Sunday 3^rd April 1983 and the presenter is Jim Cotter. Most notable is the use of Irish to present the chart hits, something that was unheard of in Irish radio at the time. Presenting contemporary pop music in Irish was very far-sighted of Chris Cary and was an approach that would be adopted by the licensed station Raidió na Life in Dublin from 1993. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta banned songs with English lyrics until 2005, and even then only after 9pm. There has been an online Irish language chart music station, Raidió Rí-Rá, since 2008.

Bhí an Ghaeilge in easnamh ar fad, nach mór, ar an raidió tráchtála, cé gur thairg stáisiúin áirithe lascaine d’fhógraí Gaeilge. Seo taifeadadh neamhchoitianta de chlár Gaeilge ar KISS FM, fostáisiún de chuid Radio Nova. Údar suntais is ea an Ghaeilge a úsáid chun popcheol comhaimseartha a chur i láthair, rud nach ndéantaí ar an raidió in Éirinn ag an am. Ghlacfadh sé deich mbliana eile go dtí go ndéanfaí a leithéid go rialta nuair a bunaíodh Raidió na Life i mBaile Átha Cliath in 1993. Bhí cosc ar liricí Béarla ar RnaG go dtí 2005. Tá an stáisiún popcheoil Raidió Rí-Rá ag sruthú ar líne ó 2008.

This recording is courtesy of Ian Biggar and DX Archive.

18th August 202117th August 2021

More David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Here’s more of David Dennehy on late-night Sunshine Radio on 11^th September 1982. Made from 101 FM from 2246-2331, the recording features more of the Album Top 30. News at 11pm is presented by Cathy Cregan, one of Sunshine’s best-known newsreaders. She had worked previously in ARD and joined Sunshine in its early days. Cathy went on to work as a journalist in national independent station Century Radio (1989-1991) and can now be heard on RTÉ.

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

16th August 20216th August 2021

David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

David Dennehy was a popular presenter on Sunshine Radio in the 1980s. Here he is in relaxed mood on late-night Sunshine on 11th September 1982. After two years on air, Sunshine was well-established as one of the two big Dublin pirates at this time.

From 10pm David presents the Album Top 30. News on the hour is read by Cathy Cregan.

The recording runs from 2125-2216 and was recorded from 101 FM. It is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England.

14th August 202114th August 2021

Pirate Pioneers: late night Channel 70

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Channel 70 was one of several Irish pirate pioneers in Dublin in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Although short-lived hobby stations with irregular hours and low power, they paved the way for the next generation of full-time pirates from the late 1970s.

Channel 70 was one such station, broadcasting regularly from Monkstown in Co. Dublin between 1970 and 1972. Operated by Jack O’Carroll, it broadcast on 1320 kHz (announcing 227 metres) using 100 watts into an inverted L. The station was heard over a wide area and was popular with DXers. It was usually on air around midnight on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

This is an undated recording (probably from 1971) of Channel 70 featuring ‘Gary Logan’ (aka Jack O’Carroll) on his regular soul music programme, beginning at about 0015. There is also a reference to the British offshore pirate Radio 255, which was heard in Dublin. Many thanks to Bill Ebrill for the donation.