1981 Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

11th March 202610th March 2026

Early Cork series: Radio City welcomes summer 1981

This recording contains excerpts of shows by various DJs on Cork pirate Radio City in early summer 1981. First up is Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan), who hands over to Alan Edwards on his weekly Saturday evening slot. We hear most of Alan’s show, which includes a letter from Radio City super-fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue). This is followed by more clips of Carl Johnson and Noel Evans (Welch), including one from the day of the general election, 11^th May 1981.

The bulk of the recording was made from 95.5 FM from around 1700 on Saturday 2^nd May 1981 but contains a number of edits. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, but its AM channel was off air at the time. Audio quality is fair with some cassette wobble and distortion. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

27th February 202610th March 2026

Early Cork series: Test broadcast by Radio City 2

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This recording is of a test broadcast by Radio City 2, which was linked to the early Cork pirate Radio City (1980-1982). The frequency is 88.8 FM, distinct from the main channel on 95.5, but the station’s AM frequency on 1512 kHz (199 metres) is also mentioned. The presenter is Pete Andrews (O’Neill) and sound quality is poor at first, due to distorted audio levels in studio. As nobody involved can remember Radio City 2, it is more likely that this was an engineering test than the beginnings of an offshoot station, distinct from the main service.

The airchecked recording is from an undated Saturday night but we estimate it to be from April or May 1981. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

20th February 202615th February 2026

Early Cork series: Alan Edwards and Luke Ward on Radio City

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This is another recording of Alan Edwards on his regular Saturday early evening slot on Radio City from 1981. There are the usual requests and a mixture of contemporary hits and oldies. Plenty of adverts are heard, and news headlines are read by Alan himself. He is followed at 1900 by Luke Ward with the weekly Rock City Interviews show.

The partially airchecked recording was made between 1700-1900 on 25^th April 1981 from 95.5 FM. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

11th February 20268th February 2026

Early Cork series: lunchtime to drivetime on Radio City

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These recordings of Radio City from 1981 include excerpts spanning lunchtime, afternoon and early evening programmes. First up is Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with various examples of the 3-in-a-row feature from his daily lunchtime show. We also hear a new DJ in the Afternoon Delights slot, Jamie Roberts, who is clearly still learning the ropes. He is followed by Noel Evans (Welch), with part of the Homerun drivetime show.

Dates of these recordings are uncertain but the cassette label mentions 11^th May 1981. They were made from 95.5 FM and are courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

4th February 202631st January 2026

Early Cork series: Saturday evening on Radio City

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This is another edition of the Saturday early evening show on Cork pirate Radio City in spring 1981. On air is Alan Edwards with a mixture of contemporary hits and oldies. Alan shares requests and an announcement from a listener who wants to sell a flight from Cork to London, a sign of the times when air travel was less restricted than now. There are more adverts than in other recordings from around this time, one of which is voiced by Eric Hansen (the well-known RTÉ presenter John Creedon).

The tape was made from 95.5 FM from 1700-1900 on Saturday 11^th April 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.