Anoraks Ireland Collection Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

23rd March 202622nd March 2026

Denis Murray plays rock favourites on Super Nova

Super Nova was one of many offshoots of the Dublin pirate Radio Nova. The evening opt-out service was set up not long after Nova returned to the air following the raid of May 1983. It temporarily replaced KISS FM, which closed after the raid, and soaked up Nova’s additional advertising revenue. This recording of Super Nova features Denis Murray playing mostly rock favourites. The many commercial breaks include adverts for brands and larger businesses, including a holiday giveaway sponsored by Nova in association with a travel agency. News is read by David Malone.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 88 FM between 2019-2109 on Thursday 1^st September 1983. The main Nova daytime service broadcast on 88 FM and 828 kHz AM during this time.

16th March 202612th March 2026

Sunday with Tony Dixon on early Sunshine Radio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This is another recording of Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio during its first summer on air in 1981. It begins with Tony Dixon (RIP) with music in the laid-back and soul style that was so associated with him on Sunshine. Tony is followed by what appears to be a live concert by Irish singer Chris de Burgh.

The tape was made from 531 kHz AM, announcing 539 metres, from 1933-2018 on Sunday 19^th July. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

13th March 202612th March 2026

Saturday afternoon on early Sunshine Radio

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio marked its first summer on air in 1981. In this recording from a sunny Saturday afternoon that year, first up is Tom Hardy (RIP) with the Sunshine Survey chart countdown. He is followed by Jim Kenny with the Golden Oldies Session. Radio Nova had just gone on the air, beginning a period of great rivalry between the two big stations. Sunshine would survive until the end, not closing until 30^th December 1988.

The tape was made from 531 kHz AM, announcing 539 metres, from 1443-1529 on Saturday 11^th July. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

9th March 202622nd February 2026

Final hour of BLB before 1983 closedown

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This is part of the final hour of Bray Local Broadcasting (BLB) before it closed voluntarily following the raids on the larger Dublin pirates in 1983. At the microphone is a familiar voice on BLB, Mark Quinn, who is joined by other presenters including Shay Byrne (now with RTÉ), Sally Byrne and Terry Daniels. They reminisce about the station since it began on 22^nd August 1979. There are also calls of support from listeners and messages of goodwill from community groups, showing how respected BLB was in the north Wicklow town.

The recording was made from 96.7 FM between 2255-2341 on 19^th May 1983. BLB also broadcast on 657 kHz, announcing 456 metres. Along with most other pirates, it returned to the airwaves after a short time once the immediate shock of the raids had passed.

6th March 202621st February 2026

The breakfast show on Energy 103

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Alan Burns presented the breakfast show on Dublin station Energy 103 in 1986 and 1987. This recording was made on a cold morning in the autumn of 1986 but despite the weather, there’s plenty to keep listeners engaged including a prize of a food hamper, horoscopes and a ‘beat the intro’ competition. Some well-known voices on adverts include Tony Allan (RIP), Colm Hayes and Pat Courtenay and there’s a recorded insert featuring Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. News on the half-hour is read by George Long (Henry O’Donovan, RIP), who also presents an idiosyncratic newspaper review that wouldn’t make it on air by today’s standards.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103 FM between 0755-0843 on 23^rd October 1986.