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Radio Dublin was one of the few stations in Dublin to continue broadcasting following the raids on the super-pirates Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio in 1983. As other stations left the airwaves temporarily as a precaution or closed down entirely, DJs flocked to Inchicore Road to rally support for independent radio, using the microphones of Radio Dublin.
This recording is from two days after the first fateful raid on Radio Nova on 18th May. Finishing up his show is Dónal Clancy, who says that Radio Dublin is broadcasting on behalf of all the other radio stations around Ireland, somewhat of an exaggeration as many pirates outside Dublin stayed on the air. He is followed by the weekly book show presented by Gerry Jones (of Dusty’s Trail fame), who claims that the station’s phone lines have been jammed. Next up is the country and western show with Paul Downey, which is interspersed by chat with DJs from Radio Dublin and other pirate stations. Listeners are reminded to pick up petitions to lobby politicians for independent radio, and a march is be held in Dublin the following Friday.
The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1188 kHz AM between 1921-2006 and 2026-2111 on Friday 20th May 1983.