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Early Cork series: Radio City enters its second month on air

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Early Cork series: Radio City enters its second month on air
The late Henry Condon (Alan Reid on air) at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

In October 1980, the new Cork pirate station Radio City entered its second month on air, offering a variety of programmes from 0700-0200 each day presented by many of the DJs who had cut their teeth on the emerging Cork scene since the late 1970s.

The first part of this recording was made on 1st October 1980 and features Noel Evans (Welch), Alan Reid (the late Henry Condon, known later as Henry Owens on other pirates) and Tony Allen (Walsh). The second part was made on 10th October and features Tony Allen, Luke Ward and Pete Andrews (O’Neill). Adverts are sparse after a month on air, underlining the financial challenges involved in sustaining a full-time pirate station at the time.

Audio quality is poor as most of the recording was made by placing a tape recorder against a radio. It was recorded from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres, and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

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Early Cork series: samples from a week on Radio City

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Early Cork series: samples from a week on Radio City
Geraldine O’Connor typing up the news in 1980 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

This post features recordings of Radio City Cork made over a week during the station’s first month on air in September 1980. It begins with Paul Cassidy presenting an evening show on 22nd September, who is followed by Pat O’Rourke (Smurf) with Sounds Around Midnight. Pat previously had a big following on CBC. Pat O’Rourke is then heard from 24th September signing off in the early hours followed by the national anthem. He is followed by Noel Evans (Welch) later on drivetime later that day. Next up from 25th September is Noel Evans on drivetime, followed by John Rice. The final snippets were recorded on 29th September and feature Ed Harris with the Afternoon Delight programme followed by Geraldine O’Connor and Noel Evans.

Early Cork series: samples from a week on Radio City
Paul Cassidy at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

Audio quality is poor throughout as the recording was made by placing a tape recorder against a radio instead of using a radio-cassette recorder. Despite our best efforts, there is also some wobble on the cassette after many decades. The tape was made from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Early Cork series: Second week on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Second week on Radio City
Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue)

This recording was made during the second week of broadcasting of the Cork pirate Radio City, that came on the air in September 1980. It features snippets from a variety of daytime and evening programmes, including Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delight, Paul Cassidy with the Golden Hour and Tony Walsh with new music until midnight. Many DJs refer to their gigs in local hotels or nightclubs, which was common among pirate radio presenters anxious to supplement their income in the lean 1980s.

The recording was made on Wednesday 10th and Friday 12th September 1980 from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, and is courtesy of Lillian O’Donoghue.

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‘The Smurf’ on Radio City Cork

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'The Smurf' on Radio City Cork
Pat O’Rourke at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

Pat O’Rourke, also known as ‘The Smurf’, was one of the popular DJs on the early Cork pirates. Heard initially on the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC), his show had a huge following as reflected in its large weekly mailbag. Pat joined Radio City when it began broadcasting in 1980 and this recording features part of his first show on the new station.

The recording was made on 6th September 1980 from 2030. Audio quality is poor for the first part as it was made by placing a tape recorder against an AM radio. The second part was recorded from 95.5 FM using a radio-cassette recorder and seems to have been made at a later date. Thanks to Lillian O’Donoghue for the donation.    

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Early Cork series: First full day on Radio City

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Early Cork series: First full day on Radio City
Pete Andrews with Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) in 1980 (courtesy of Lilian).

A new Cork pirate, Radio City, was launched on 31st August 1980. This recording is of the first full day of the station and begins with station co-founder Pete Andrews (O’Neill) with his Spinning Disc lunchtime show. The show includes a repeat of part of the launch the previous day. News headlines are delayed by technical problems but it is clear that Radio City had big plans, including daily sponsored programmes. Pete is followed by Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delight, including various features such as a quiz and entertainment diary. Next up is Noel Evans (Welch) with Home Run, including traffic news and racing reports. Co-author of the history of the Cork Pirates, The Jolly Roger, Noel had a day job with the Evening Echo newspaper but worked in the pirates on the side, first CBC and then Radio City. He also played music in several nightclubs like many pirate DJs. The final DJ is Paul Cassidy with part of an evening show.  

Early Cork series: First full day on Radio City
Noel Evans (Welch) at Radio City in September 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This airchecked recording of Radio City was made from around 1200 on 1st September 1980 from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres. Only one advert is heard but the commercial breaks may have been edited out. Audio quality is fair to poor as the recording was made by placing a tape recorder beside a radio, rather than using a cassette recorder. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.