Nova flyer from 1984 with claimed coverage area (DX Archive).
This is a recording of the popular breakfast show with John Clarke and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova from Good Friday 1985. There is no paper review given the holiday but the programme features the normal friendly banter between the hosts and Bob reads out a fan letter from a group of listeners. John gives a traffic report for the northwest of England but by contrast the streets of Dublin are quiet. Although Nova was still a leader in the Dublin radio market in early 1985, new Irish-owned station Q102 would soon make its presence felt and Chris Cary’s radio empire began to unravel by the autumn of that year. Nova closed suddenly on March 19th 1986.
Original cassette label lfrom Anoraks Ireland Collection.
The recording was made from 102.7 FM from 0703-0751 on 5th April 1985 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.
Chris Barry in the Q102 studios in 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
By Easter 1985, new Dublin station Q102 was just over two months on air and already making waves as a professional and slick choice for listeners in the capital. In this recording from Holy Thursday that year, Chris Barry presents the Good Morning Dublin show including news, weather, sports, a birthday file, the papers and Hollywood gossip. News is read by George Long and there’s a promo for a £10 giveaway for drivers stuck in traffic who are listening to Q102. Chris Barry was a familiar voice on many Dublin pirates and subsequently had a long career in licensed radio.
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.
This recording was made from 102 FM on Thursday 4th April 1985 from 0640-0728. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.
This recording of Dublin super-pirate Q102 was made on the St. Patrick’s bank holiday in 1985, less than two months after the station went on air. It begins with popular DJ Jason Maine who is wrapping up his morning show. This is followed by a syndicated Spotlight special from the US featuring the Rolling Stones. News on the hour is read by Gary Hamill (Seán McCarthy). Part 1 above runs from 1153 and Part 2 below from 1241.
Part 2 from 1241.
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.
The recording was made from 102 FM on Monday, 18th March 1985 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.
Q102 DJ Jason Maine featured in the Sunday World in 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
Irish-owned Q102 rocked the Dublin market when it came on the air on 23rd January 1985. In these recordings from one month later, it’s clear that the new station has found its feet and is beginning to make a mark on listeners and advertisers. In the first recording above from 1038-1126 on 23rd February 1985, John O’Hara presents the final 20 minutes of his Saturday morning breakfast show before handing over to Jason Maine. The sound is tight and slick, with agency adverts and professional station imaging. There’s also a promo for cash giveaways for listeners spotted wearing Q102 badges. The second recording below is from 2304-2352 on 24th February and features Martin Block with the laid-back ‘bedtime Q’ show.
Eddie West from 24.02.85
Both tapes were made from 102 FM and are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.
Q102 Eye in the Sky car sticker (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
These recordings are of the launch of the new Dublin super-pirate Q102, that began broadcasting on Wednesday 23rd January 1985. The station shook up the competitive Dublin radio market, offering another professional music-based station for listeners and introducing innovative features such as Eye in the Sky, traffic news reported from a helicopter flying over the city. The first recording above starts at 1613 and is of the countdown to the launch, featuring continuous music and promos. The second part below is from 1701.
Part 2 from 1701.
Original label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.
The next recordings begin at 1850 and include the official launch at 1900 with a Cold War-style promo voiced by Lawrence John, one of the original station founders. He is followed by Jason Maine until 2000 and then John Kenny with the night-time show. There are some comedy-style commercials but no actual advertisements.
Part 3 from 1850 including launch.
Original label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.
Part 4 from 1935.
The next recording begins at 2018 and includes more of John Kenny’s programme. The cassette was damaged and only the first 40 minutes has been digitised.
Part 5 from 2018.
The final recording begins at 2302 and features John Kenny with a more relaxed late night sound.
Part 6 from 2302.
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.
These recordings were all made from 102 FM and are from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. The first 90 minutes of Q102, including the launch, were recorded originally by Kieran Murray. Q102 closed down on 30th December 1988 at 1800.
