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Early Cork series: Saturday evening on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Saturday evening on Radio City
Alan Edwards at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made in spring 1981. The early Saturday evening show is presented by Alan Edwards, who was heard on earlier stations such as the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC). Alan plays hits and memories and plugs discos and gigs around the city and county. Local businesses around Cork are featured in the commercial breaks and for the first time, there are sung station jingles.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 95.5 FM on Saturday 14th March 1981 between 1703-1858. There is some distortion on voiceovers and audio levels are variable in places. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Charity fundraiser on Radio Leinster

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Charity fundraiser on Radio Leinster
Radio Leinster sticker (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Radio Leinster was a talk and specialist station serving Dublin from 1981-1983. This recording of a mid-morning show from autumn 1981 features a charity fundraiser for the Palatine Fathers’ mission in Tanzania. Fr Mike Culloty was a Palatine priest who presented a religious programme every Sunday morning on the station. Encouraging listeners to phone in pledges are Mike Moran and Vinnie Connell. Commercial breaks include adverts for businesses around Dublin and after much excitement at the generous response to the appeal, Mike and Vinnie are followed by the lunchtime programme presented by station manager Justin James. 

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on Saturday 26th September 1981 from 738 kHz, announcing 406 metres, between 1155-1327.

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Early Cork series: Lunchtime Special on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Lunchtime Special on Radio City
Pete Andrews in studio with number one fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) (courtesy of Lilian).

This recording of early Cork pirate features popular DJ Pete Andrews (O’Neill) with his Lunchtime Special show from 1981. Pete plays a mixture of current hits and oldies, including a new Golden Year feature. News headlines are read by Mark and there are adverts for businesses around Cork City. Pete refers to 95.5 FM but there is no mention of Radio City being on AM at this time.

The recording was made from 95.5 FM on 9th March 1981 between 1159-1244 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

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Early Cork series: Sunday romantic hour on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Sunday romantic hour on Radio City
Susan James (O’Connor) in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This is another example of Sunday programming on Cork pirate Radio City from 1981. On air is Susan James (O’Connor) with the Groove Line, a mixture of slow classic and chart tunes. There are also some adverts for local businesses. Susan is followed by Ronnie Gibson with contemporary album music.

The recording was made from 95.7 FM on Sunday 8th March 1981 from 1900-2005. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Early Cork series: Sunday lunchtime on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Sunday lunchtime on Radio City
Derry O’Callaghan with Lilian McCarthy in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue)

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features Sunday lunchtime programmes from the spring of 1981. Up first is John Mariner with what appears to be his last show. He is followed by Derry O’Callaghan with the Radio City Top 40. There are some adverts during the broadcast and a charity appeal to listeners. Audio levels are variable with some distortion on the links and adverts.

The tape was made from 95.7 FM on Sunday 8th March 1981 from 1237 to 1402, with an edit in the middle. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.