1991 Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

30th September 202629th September 2026

Border series: Lynsey Shelbourne on KLAS Radio

KLAS Radio began test transmissions in April 1991 on 828 kHz, although initially it announced 819 kHz. The test announcements were made by Lynsey Shelbourne (Dolan), who later went on to present programmes. The station broadcast from Carrickroe, Co. Monaghan, a site that had been used by other local pirate Radio Star Country in the past. The transmitter was said to be that formerly used by Cavan Community Radio running at around 800 watts, and was located in a van next to the aerial mast. The station ran a format of pop, oldies and country music, announcing a correspondence address in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone.

In a letter in March 1992, presenter Michael Barry stated that the Department of Communications had not bothered the station at that point and that the owner was very careful not to take advertising from County Monaghan which was licensed station Northern Sound’s ‘patch’. As far as we are aware KLAS Radio did not receive any attention from the authorities. The station seemed to be reasonably successful despite the close competition from Radio Star Country.

The Anorak Show on Kiss FM Dundalk on 26^th December 1993 stated that KLAS Radio finally called it a day on Tuesday 22^nd June of that year. It was stated however that there were rumours that the site would reactivate ‘in the next couple of weeks’. The site did reactivate, but not until January 1994 when 828 kHz carried a relay of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) from satellite. This service seemed to be known as Vision 828. It continued for many years, moving to 864 kHz at some point before finally becoming a high power installation on 549 kHz by the mid 90s. It became clear that 549 was operated by an organisation known as Irish Christian Broadcasters, based in Dundalk and headed by among others the late David Robinson, a former owner of Radio Star Country. The service continued until 2006 when ICB received an instruction from Comreg to cease transmissions on 549 kHz. By that time the power used was reputed to be in the region of 25 kW.

This recording of KLAS Radio was made from 828 kHz between 1419-1552 on Monday 13^th May 1991 and features Lynsey Shelbourne on air. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the station history and recording.

25th September 202629th September 2026

Border series: Test transmission of KLAS Radio from Monaghan

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KLAS Radio (1991-1993) was an example of the many new pirates to defy the new broadcasting laws of 1989 and come on air in the 1990s. It was based on the Monaghan/Tyrone border and broadcast from a site at Carrickroe that would later be used by another local pirate Radio Star Country and for a pirate relay of United Christian Broadcasters (UCB). In more recent years, Carrickroe housed the AM facility of licensed religious station Spirit Radio until 2023 (pictured above).

This recording from spring 1991 is of early test transmissions by KLAS. It begins with a promo for the station using the iconic pirate signature tune Man of Action by the Les Reed Orchestra. KLAS promised Irish, pop and country music, reflecting the mixture that was popular in border areas following the success of the 1980s pirates. Following continuous music at the start, DJ Tony then presents an afternoon show and gives out a contact number for requests and reception reports.

The recording was made from 828 kHz (announcing 819) on Thursday 18^th April from 1420-1435 and Friday 19^th April 1991 from 1400-1500. Audio quality is fair to poor with some cassette wobble at the start. There is also splatter from BBC Radio Scotland on the adjacent frequency of 810 kHz, reflecting the fact that the recording was made in Scotland. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.

19th August 202618th August 2026

Border series: Earth Sound Radio from border region

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Earth South Radio was a short-lived pirate station broadcasting from Co. Tyrone in the early 1990s. It was re-named many time over a number of years and changed its location to south of the border. Earth Sound Radio was started by Timothy Sloan and Basil Gilroy with a small transmitter at the back of a house in Fivemiletown, east of Enniskillen. It changed its name to Starlight Radio and in mid-1993, Rodney Neill’s newsletter Newsline Ireland reported a Starlight Radio operating from Fivemiletown. A list from 1993 noted Starlight Radio on 105.9 MHz and 1413 kHz AM.

The station was re-named again in 1993, this time as Music City Radio, with its mast in Co. Monaghan. The KISS FM Anoraks Show review of 1993 reported that on 4^th June that year, a new station was heard from Clones called Music City Radio. It was reported as a 250 watt CTE transmitter installed by Gerry Reilly on 100.5 MHz FM in mono, with medium wave also planned. The Anoraks Show on 4^th July 1993 reported Music City Radio on 100.5 MHz with continuous test tapes of country music and poor audio. It appeared on Friday 20^th August on 1251 kHz, but as there was no studio available, it would simply relay Downtown, RTÉ etc. The station then disappeared but it was reported it could re-appear in early 1994 as new funding had been found.

In issue 2 of the pirate magazine Playback (March 1994), it was noted that on 14^th January, Music City Radio appeared on 105.4 MHz playing a diet of country music. On 20^th February 1995, a station list produced by Dublin pirate Coast FM noted Music City Radio on 105.4 MHz and 1404 kHz. Later logs by Coast FM that summer also reported Music City Radio on 1413 kHz. There was no mention of Music City Radio in station lists from 1996, so it may have been finished by that time.

This recording of Earth Sound Radio was made between 2034-2120 from 101.9 FM on 15^th December 1991. The DJ announces himself as Tony Walker. There is plenty of FM fading, reference to a barking dog outside and an advert for a carpet business in Fivemiletown at the very end. The recording was made in Portadown by Rodney Neill and was donated by Ian Biggar. Thanks to Ralph Barry for background information about Earth Sound Radio and successor stations and to Ian for assistance with the text.

21st May 202522nd May 2025

Border series: afternoon shows on Radio North

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This recording of Donegal pirate Radio North was made on a winter’s afternoon in 1991, not long before the station left the airwaves for over two years. It begins with Eddie Barr who holds a phone-in competition, attracting callers mostly from the North. In another reflection of the station’s popularity across the border, all advertisements in this recording are from Co. Derry. There is also a horoscope spot and plenty of requests for the usual diet of country and Irish music. Eddie’s show is followed by the evening drivetime programme with John Wright. Radio North closed down near the end of 1991 when its AM frequency was taken over by rival station North Atlantic Radio. In early 1994, North Atlantic Radio reverted to the Radio North name.

The tape was made from 846 kHz AM on Tuesday 29^th October 1991 from 1504-1635 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar. It was recorded in Scotland and as would be expected for the time of year, there is increasing co-channel interference as darkness falls.

14th May 202513th May 2025

Border series: Lunchtime on North Atlantic Radio

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North Atlantic Radio was a breakaway station from Donegal pirate Radio North, broadcasting from November 1989 until January 1994, when it reverted to the Radio North name. Both stations were based on the Inishowen peninsula and fishing in the same advertising pool locally and across the border. First up is DJ Laura with a lunchtime mix of requests, country and Irish music and long commercial breaks featuring businesses in Donegal, Derry and Antrim. She is followed by Harry with the afternoon show.

The recording was made from 954 kHz AM on 22^nd June 1991 from 1230-1400 and is kindly donated by Ian Biggar. Audio quality is consistent with AM but there is some distortion in places.