Northeast series: More Telstar Community Radio from 1986

Northeast series: More Telstar Community Radio from 1986
Telstar flyer from 1988 (courtesy Ian Biggar)

This is another recording of Co. Louth station Telstar Community Radio from 1986. Broadcasting from the village of Blackrock south of Dundalk, Telstar was heard across the county and beyond and held its own for eight years despite stiff competition from other local pirates.

Northeast series: More Telstar Community Radio from 1986
Handwritten cassette label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection

Part 1 of this recording above was made from 88.5 FM from 1222-1310 on 30th April 1986 and features the end of the show presented by station manager Ray Stone, who also reads the news. Ray is still broadcasting today on local licensed station LMFM. Part 2 below was made on the same date from 1310-1400 and features Dominic Keenan. Telstar also broadcast on 1197 kHz, announcing 250 metres.

Part 2 of the recording from 1310

This recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. More material from this collection can be heard on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.

Northeast series: Telstar Community Radio from 1986

Northeast series: Telstar Community Radio from 1986
Telstar flyer from the early days in 1981 (courtesy Ian Biggar).

This is a recording of Louth station Telstar Community Radio from 1986, featuring Ray Stone on air. Telstar broadcast from in and around Dundalk from 1980-1988 and built up its own listenership and advertising base, despite the stiff competition from big stations such as Radio Carousel in Dundalk and Boyneside Radio in Drogheda.

Northeast series: Telstar Community Radio from 1986
Handwritten label from the Anoraks Ireland collection

Ray Stone had originally been with Carousel but moved to Telstar and took on the manager role. He went on to local licensed station LMFM in 1989. In this recording from 88.5 FM on 30th April 1986, he multitasks as DJ and newsreader and is heard on many of the adverts. News bulletins contain references to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine in the Soviet Union, which occurred a few days before. Part 1 above runs from 1046-1134 and part 2 below from 1134-1222.

Part 2 from 1134

This recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. More material from this collection can be heard on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.

Saturday on Boyneside Radio

Saturday on Boyneside Radio
Boyneside’s FM mast near the border in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).

This is a sample of a Saturday on Boyneside from 1986, giving a sense of the variety of programming heard on the popular Co. Louth station. Made on 4th October, part 1 above begins with Jim Agnew’s breakfast programme, followed by the Green Scene Irish music show presented by Eddie Caffrey. There are the usual cards and letters from all over the northeast and as far afield as Belfast and Liverpool, reflecting the wide coverage of Boyneside and the show’s popularity. Before signing off, Eddie announces that the Green Scene will be heard again on repeat from midnight. The recording also includes Saturday Old Gold with Dave C.

Saturday on Boyneside Radio
Cassette label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Part 2 below includes the Top 40 with Ian Scott, Radio Bingo with Dermot Finglas and the Angelus at 6pm. This is followed by Country Time with Seán Neilon and Night Time Music with Michael Gerrard. News is read by Gerry Malone and includes a full bulletin at 1pm.

Part 2 of the recording from 1700.

These recordings were made originally by Kieran Murray from Boyneside’s Dublin transmitter on 105.5 FM. They are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. More material from this collection can be heard on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.

More Boyneside Radio from Kells, Co. Meath

More Boyneside Radio from Kells, Co. Meath
Boyneside Radio Kells rates card (courtesy of Kieran Murray).

These recordings of Boyneside Radio are of its service from Kells, Co. Meath in 1986. The one above begins at 0900 on 20th May with the breakfast show presented by Mike Ahern (Richard McCullen), relayed from the main service in Drogheda. Following the 1100 news, the Kells opt-out service takes over with station manager Kieran Murray’s mid-morning show. Local adverts from Meath are heard along with household tips and a housewives’ quiz. Made from 98.1 FM, audio quality is fair with some hiss.

More Boyneside Radio from Kells, Co. Meath
Cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Audio quality is much better on the second recording below, which was made the following day, 21st May 1986, from the same transmitter. It begins at 1235, also features Kieran Murray and is also airchecked. Among the features are racing tips, ‘Tradio adverts’ and the new UK Top 40. At 1315 Kieran switches over to Drogheda for the main lunchtime news with Mike Ahern and Áine Ní Ghuidhir.

Recording of 21st May 1986

Both recordings were made by Kieran originally and are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. Further material from this collection is available on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.

More of Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio

More of Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio
Eddie Caffrey in 1986 (courtesy of Eddie).

This is a continuation of a recording of an edition of Eddie Caffrey’s Afternoon Delight show on Boyneside Radio from Drogheda, Co. Louth in 1986. The recording was made from 99.1 FM in stereo on 28th April from 1530-1705. There are requests from both sides of the border and ongoing violence in the North features in the news bulletins, read by Áine Ní Ghuidhir.

More of Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio
Cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection

Part 1 of the recording above runs from 1530-1615 and part 2 below from 1620-1705 with the last news bulletin airchecked.

Part 2 of the recording

Both are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. Further material from this collection is available on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.