1981 Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

15th June 202614th June 2026

Southside Radio FRC show from March 1981

An early pioneer in news for radio anoraks was the weekly Free Radio Campaign (FRC) show on Southside Radio from Dún Laoghaire in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Presented by Marc Boland, it was often relayed on shortwave pirate Westside Radio International. This short recording of the end of one edition of the FRC from 1981 includes correspondence from a listener in Leeds who wants to swap recordings of pirate stations from both sides of the Irish Sea.

The tape was made from 999 kHz AM (300 metres) on Sunday 29^th March 1981 between 1248-1930 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

13th May 202611th May 2026

Early Cork Series: Radio City on new frequency

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Radio City changed AM frequencies in summer 1981, moving from 1512 kHz (announcing 199 metres) to the slightly off-channel 1243 kHz (announcing 240 metres). This recording begins at the end of Seán Collins’s Saturday afternoon show with laid-back tunes and a listeners’ competition. He is followed by Alan Edwards who is running late for his weekly slot. Alan plays chart hits with some oldies and there are requests from listeners and plenty of adverts but also a break in transmission for a few minutes.

The tape was made from 95.5 FM from 1655-1852 (with an edit in the middle) on 18^th July 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue. Audio quality is fair to good, with some wobble on the cassette in places due to the passage of time.

8th May 20267th May 2026

Early Cork series: weekend shows on Radio City

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This recording features weekend shows on Cork pirate Radio City in summer 1981. Up first is John Ashford (RIP) with the final part of his Saturday Nightbeat show. He is followed by Jamie Roberts, who takes a call from fellow DJ Pat O’Rourke who is in hospital! Of interest is the advert for Fianna Fáil in advance of the election the following week. The final section is part of a chart show.

The tape begins at around 2200 on Saturday 6^th June 1981 but is partially airchecked. The chart show is probably from the following day, 7^th June. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

1st May 202629th April 2026

Early Cork series: more summer sounds on Radio City

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This is another recording of Cork pirate Radio City in summer 1981. First up is the end of the community association programme with Seán Collins, followed by Alan Edwards with his weekly early Saturday evening slot. Alan plays mostly chart hits including plenty of Irish tunes and some oldies thrown in. There are plenty of requests from listeners but few adverts. He is followed by Steve Douglas.

The recording was made from approximately 1700-1900 (with some edits) from 88.4 FM on Saturday 13^th June 1981. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue.

14th April 202614th April 2026

Early Cork series: summer Saturday on Radio City

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This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features Pat O’Rourke (Smurf) on a Saturday morning in summer 1981, followed by the start of Paul Cassidy’s show. The recording begins around 1020 but is partially airchecked. Paul announces 189 metres (1584 kHz) but this is likely to be a mistake as there is no log of Radio City on that frequency although by July 1981 it had moved to 1243 kHz, announcing 240 metres. The second half features Jamie Roberts with his Midnight Serenade show.

The tape was made from 88.4 FM on 13^th June 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.