1985 Archives - Page 3 of 18 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

2nd August 202330th July 2023

Pat Courtenay and Cathy Cregan on Sunshine 101

Sunshine Radio, later Sunshine 101, broadcast from the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock in north Dublin between September 1980 and December 1988. By 1985, it was well established as one of the capital’s leading professional pirates, broadcasting chart music and specialist programming on high-powered AM and FM frequencies. This recording of the final half hour of Pat Courtenay’s breakfast show begins with 15 minutes of non-stop music, interspersed with station idents. Agency adverts reflect Sunshine’s commercial success but a local community event is also promoted, reflected the station’s roots on the northside of Dublin. News is ready by Cathy Cregan, who is followed by station founder and owner, Robbie Dale (Robinson).

Both Pat Courtenay and Cathy Cregan continue to broadcast on radio today. Listen here to our tribute to Robbie Robinson, who died in 2021. This recording was made from 100.5 FM on Tuesday 1^st October 1985 from 0921-1006. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

31st July 202330th July 2023

John Kenny on Dublin’s Q102

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This recording of popular Dublin station Q102 was made in the summer of 1985 and features part of the evening drivetime show presented by John Kenny. Chart music alternates with classic tunes and there are plenty of adverts ranging from larger companies and brands to restaurants and clothing shops around Dublin. A promo airs for a 1970s special over the August bank holiday weekend, there’s a competition for tickets to the Horse Show and gigs by Stockton’s Wing and Blue in Heaven are mentioned. News with Gary Hamill (Seán McCarthy) includes reference to the moving statues phenomenon that rocked Ireland that summer. John Kenny is still heard on sports and music shows on RTÉ.

The tape was recorded from 102 FM on Wednesday 31^st July 1985. Part 1 above runs from 1827 and Part 2 below from 1913.

Part 2 from 1913.

At this time Q102 also broadcast on 828 kHz AM. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

25th July 202314th July 2023

Summer breakfast show on Dublin’s Q102

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Scott Williams was one of the leading DJs on Dublin super-pirate Q102 (1985-1988) and opened Ireland’s first licensed independent station Capital Radio in July 1989. In this recording from four years earlier, he is heard presenting the Q breakfast with a mix of chart music, the ‘Bits and pieces’ competition and headlines and the newspaper review by Anne Cassin. There are also promos for a £10 giveaway to listeners on the streets of Dublin and for the hospital requests slot each afternoon. Commercial breaks feature the usual mixture of well-known Dublin businesses and agency adverts.

The recording was made from 102 FM from 0726-0811 on Thursday 25^th July 1985. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection donated by Paul Davidson.

15th July 202315th July 2023

Ringo Starr special on Dublin’s Q102

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Irish-owned Dublin station Q102 was quick to make an impact on the capital’s competitive radio market after its launch in January 1985. As well as a core offering of chart music, the station also had a credible news service, did outside broadcasts and occasionally ran feature programmes. This recording is of one such programme, Ringo’s Yellow Submarine, a US syndicated show presented by Ringo Starr of the Beatles.

Plenty of agency adverts are heard, reflecting Q102’s commercial success, as well as the iconic early jingle package. The recording was made from 102 FM between 1405-1451 on Sunday 14^th July 1985. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated by Paul Davidson.

5th June 202327th May 2023

June bank holiday Monday 1985 on Q102

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dublin’s new ‘super-pirate’ Q102 held an on-air charity auction on the June bank holiday 1985 in aid of the Burton Hall mental health charity. First up in this recording are Martin Block and Jason Maine taking bids from listeners and offers of prizes for auction from businesses around the city. Later Scott Williams and Anne Cassin announce the big auction prize of a 20 inch colour television. Adverts are aired for large businesses such as Nissan Windsor Motors, Brennan’s bread, the Evening Herald newspaper and USIT Holidays. News on the hour is read by Anne Cassin and Gary Hamill (aka Seán McCarthy), with sports headlines from John Kenny.

The recording was made from 102 FM on Monday 3^rd June 1985. Part 1 above runs from 1351 and Part 2 below from 1449.

Part 2 from 1449.

There is some wobble in the audio due to degredation of the cassette. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.