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.
Magic 103 was an offshoot of Dublin super-pirate Radio Nova, set up as an information and easy listening music service for the city. Its first full day was 29th April 1985 but it closed only five months later on 22nd September, citing financial difficulties. However, the station was also embroiled in the ongoing dispute between Nova boss Chris Cary and the National Union of Journalists, which eventually contributed to Nova’s demise in 1986.
This recording was made shortly after Magic 103 launched and features a lunchtime show presented by Dave Johnson (Andrew Hanlon), who also reads ABC Network News, simulcast on Radio Nova. The music is a mixture of easy listening, oldies and country and listeners call in for chat and requests. There are regular references to an audition for new presenters for a kids’ programme called Magic Hullabaloo taking place at Magic headquarters at 144 Upper Leeson Street. Many of the hopefuls are invited into studio, including one who already hosts a show on Community Radio Fingal in north Dublin. The kids’ enthusiasm and knowledge about radio provides an interesting insight to the popularity of the medium among 1980s teenagers in Dublin, but the music is definitely not aimed at them. The recording also includes sports results read by Aidan Cooney.
The recording was made from 103.5 FM on Saturday 18th May 1985. Part 1 above is from 1203-1335 and Part 2 below from 1336-1508.
Both recordings are from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
Advert for KISS FM in the Sunday World in 1982 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
KISS FM (1982-1984) was one of many offshoots of Dublin pirate Radio Nova. This recording is from the station’s first evening on air and features the ‘clutterfree’ format of continuous music and limited talk associated with Nova. DJ Hugh O’Brien reads a reception report from near Belfast, indicating the strength of the transmitter. Nova’s now syndicated service Independent Radio News is read by Siobhán Purcell.
The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 102.7 FM on Tuesday 7th September 1982 between 2107-2212.
Radio Vera broadcast from Limerick City from 1987-1988. It was linked to another city station, Radio Munster, that focused on older listeners while Radio Vera chased the younger market. Radio Vera claimed to have coverage over a 50-mile radius of Limerick City, including parts of Clare and Kerry.
This recording is of Francis Jones on the Afternoon Delights show, with a solid gold hour, an 80s music spot and a listeners’ quiz. News on the hour is read by Edwina, there are adverts for businesses around the city and county and several requests come from north Kerry. Francis Jones worked previously with Limerick pirate Big L and Horizon Radio in Kerry. After the pirates, he went on to a career with licensed station Radio Kerry.
The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 97.7 FM between 1400-1533 on Monday 14th November 1988.
Dr Don (left) after the raid on ARD in 1978 (photo Irish Press).
Don Moore (Dr Don) was one of the pioneers of early pirate radio in Ireland, and developed Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) into a credible and professional station in an increasingly competitive market at the end of the 1970s. This recording is of Dr Don in the lunchtime slot on ARD, featuring his usual zany and fast-paced style. There’s a listeners’ postal quiz to win cinema tickets and new headlines at half past the hour.
The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1151 kHz, announcing 257 metres, between 1304-1334 sometime in 1978.
