Tag: 1980

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More AM and FM radio as heard in Dublin in 1980

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More AM and FM radio as heard in Dublin in 1980
Some of the Leon Tipler Collection held by Pirate.ie.

This is another recording made by English anorak Leon Tipler during his visit to Ireland in summer 1980. First up is a selection of pirates on AM including Chris Barry on Capitol Radio (1332 kHz), Paul King on Radio City (1164 kHz) and Jason Maine on Radio 257 (1152 kHz). Adverts are heard on Big D (1116 kHz) along with an advertising promo voiced by Bryan Lambert, Big D news and a snippet of what sounds like Mark Boland on Southside Radio (999 kHz). News in Irish on RTÉ Radio 1 on AM is followed by Radio 2 on FM with Jim O’Neill finishing up a live show from Galway, the late Gerry Ryan with the Rock Steady show and Paschal Mooney with Keep it Country. Next up is Late Date with Morgan O’Sullivan on Radio 1 and Nightmoves on Radio 2 presented by Declan Meehan who had come from the pirates and would soon return to them. At the end is part of Dave Fanning’s late night show on Radio 2.

The tape was recorded on 29th July 1980 and is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated by Steve England.

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More 1980 Dublin radio including Radio 257

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More 1980 Dublin radio including Radio 257
The Crofton Airport Hotel where Radio 257 was located (courtesy Noel Hiney).

This is another recording made by English anoraks Leon Tipler in summer 1980 during one of his frequent visits to Dublin to document the Irish pirate radio scene. From AM, it includes clips of Radio City from Capel Street in the city centre. Logs from that year mention Radio City slightly off channel on 1164 kHz. The adverts for businesses in the Capel Street area are voiced by the late Tony Allan. There are also snippets of Southside Radio on 999 kHz, Big D on 1116 kHz and Radio Dublin on 1188 kHz with plenty of distortion. From FM, we heard adverts and news from RTÉ Radio 1 followed by the start of the Gay Byrne Show and part of the Ronan Collins show on Radio 2.

The recording concludes with a longer clip of Jason Maine on the Radio 257 drivetime show, including a holiday giveaway to the Isle of Man and plenty of adverts. 257 news at 1700 is sponsored by the Weekend Star newspaper. The tape was made on 29th July 1980 and is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated to us by Steve England.

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Dublin AM and FM bandscan from 1980

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Dublin AM and FM bandscan from 1980
Some of the Leon Tipler cassettes from 1980 in the Pirate.ie collection.

This recording consists of a selection of snippets from radio as heard in Dublin in summer 1980 by English anorak Leon Tipler on one of his many visits to Ireland. These and other recordings were the raw material for his acclaimed documentary series The Irish Pirates. Tipler tunes up and down the AM band and comes across items such as a legal advice slot on Radio 257 from the Crofton Airport Hotel, Radio Dublin with DJ Lee and various clips of the Big D, including the 6pm news bulletin. Some UK stations are also received on AM.

Of note from the pirates is an advert for the Stardust nightclub, which was destroyed in February 1981 in a devastating fire in which 48 people died. There is also an advert for Tamango’s nightclub at the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock, later to be home of Sunshine Radio. On the relatively empty FM band are RTÉ Radio 1, Radio 2 and Raidió na Gaeltachta. The 6.30am opening of Radio 1 is heard with the O’Donnell Abú interval signal and an early music show presented by Eileen Dunne, who would go on to become one of the station’s main newsreaders. Radio 2 DJs in the recording include Jim O’Neill and Dave Fanning.

The recording was made on and around 29th July 1980 and is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated to us by Steve England.   

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New Year’s Eve on Sunshine Radio

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New Year's Eve on Sunshine Radio
Early Sunshine sticker (courtesy Ian Biggar).

Sunshine Radio celebrated its first Christmas and New Year on air in 1980, having begun broadcasting on 13th September that year, with an official launch on 29th September. By using high-powered transmitters, professional staff and a commercial model, Sunshine would change the direction of Irish radio in the coming years.

This recording is of Sunshine’s first New Year’s Eve and features Manon Christie, daughter of Robbie Robinson (Robbie Dale), one of Sunshine’s founders. Manon was a DJ in the station’s early period. The other founder was of course Chris Cary, who would leave Sunshine in January 1981 to set up Radio Nova. Manon goes through the headlines of the year and also live-reads some adverts. News at midday is read by Adrian Horsman.

The tape was made in Leeds from 531 kHz AM and suffers from foreign co-channel interference, exacerbated by the time of year. It was recorded between 1157-1333 on 31st December 1980 and is courtesy of DX Archive. Thanks to Ian Biggar for his assistance.

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Early Cork series: Holiday drivetime on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Holiday drivetime on Radio City
Mike Cagney at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features Mike Cagney presenting the drivetime show during the Christmas holidays 1980. The city is teeming with shoppers due to the New Year sales. Mike has a listeners’ competition, quiz of the week and a review of the news and best albums of the year.

The recording was made from 95.7 FM on 29th December 1980 between 1737-1908 and is partially airchecked. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.