Test broadcast by Blanchardstown Community Radio

Test broadcast by Blanchardstown Community Radio

Blanchardstown Community Radio (BCR) was one of several short-lived pirate stations that came on air in Dublin in the second half of 1983, following the drama of the raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio that spring. It was based in the western suburb of Blanchardstown and was set up by some of those involved in Westside Radio, another station in the same part of the city that closed down that summer.

The Anoraks UK Weekly Report commented that small stations came and went almost on a daily basis in Dublin during that period. The edition of 8th September reported that BCR appeared on 7th August at 1400 hours as announced, suggesting that it had been broadcasting loop announcements in advance. The station was logged again by Anoraks UK on 14th September but there is no mention of it after that.

This short recording features an unidentified DJ followed by continuous music. Full programming is promised from the following morning. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on 7th August 1983 between 1433-1449 from 1251 kHz, announcing 240 metres.

ABC Radio still on air after raids

ABC Radio still on air after raids

The small Dublin pirate ABC Radio was one of a handful to stay on the air after the raids on the bigger station Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio on 18th and 19th May 1983. This short recording of ABC was made before 2300 on the evening of 19th May and includes a call from a listener who says she finds RTÉ Radio 1 and Radio 2 depressing and will miss pirate radio. The DJ is Jimmy Williams and the recording was made from 963 kHz, 312 metres. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

More Chris Cary on KISS FM

More Chris Cary on KISS FM
Chris Cary cartoon by Terry Villers (courtesy Sybil Fennell).

This is another recording of Radio Nova founder and boss, Chris Cary, using the name Harry cary on the Nova offshoot station, KISS FM. Chris mentions the visit of a youth club to the studios of Nova and KISS FM that day and says that other such groups would be welcome at the weekends. There are high-level agency adverts and news is read by Bryan Dobson, who would go on to a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made between 1837-1911 from 102.7 FM on Sunday 17th April 1983 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Chris Cary on KISS FM

Chris Cary on KISS FM
Chris Cary in Camberley, England (courtesy Sybil Fennell).

KISS FM (1982-1984) was one of several offshoots of the large Dublin pirate radio Nova. In this recording, Nova founder and boss Chris Cary is on air using the name Harry Cary. He is followed by Chris Barry with a late-night programme. The final part of the recording switches from KISS FM to Nova itself for a few minutes. ‘Independent Radio News from Ireland’ on both services is read by Ken Hammond, who would go on to have a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made from from 102.7 FM and then 88.2 FM on Sunday 10th April 1983 between 2040-2114. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Denis Murray plays rock favourites on Super Nova

Denis Murray plays rock favourites on Super Nova
Nova logo from this period (courtesy DX Archive).

Super Nova was one of many offshoots of the Dublin pirate Radio Nova. The evening opt-out service was set up not long after Nova returned to the air following the raid of May 1983. It temporarily replaced KISS FM, which closed after the raid, and soaked up Nova’s additional advertising revenue. This recording of Super Nova features Denis Murray playing mostly rock favourites. The many commercial breaks include adverts for brands and larger businesses, including a holiday giveaway sponsored by Nova in association with a travel agency. News is read by David Malone.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 88 FM between 2019-2109 on Thursday 1st September 1983. The main Nova daytime service broadcast on 88 FM and 828 kHz AM during this time.