Anoraks Ireland Collection Archives - Page 11 of 35 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

19th November 202324th November 2023

Sunday shows on South Coast Radio

This recording of South Coast Radio was made on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Cork in 1983. It begins with Pete O’Neill presenting the South Coast Countdown and he is followed by Don Stevens. Station idents are voiced by the legendary Tony Allan, who is also heard on some adverts.

The recording was made from 103.7 FM, announced as 104 MHz, on 6^th March 1983. South Coast Radio also broadcast on 1557 kHz or 194 metres. Sound quality is fair, possibly due to degradation of the tape. First up is Pete O’Neill from 1430-1515 and then Don Stevens from 1115-1200. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

13th November 202324th November 2023

Northeast series: Afternoon shows on Boyneside Radio

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By the mid-1980s Boyneside Radio was calling itself the ‘biggest regional radio station in Ireland’ and could be heard over a large area from Dublin to Belfast. From humble origins in Drogheda, Boyneside developed into a network of stations in Counties Meath and Louth, including a Northern service based in Carrickcarnon right on the border. This recording from 1986 features two well-known DJs presenting early afternoon shows. First up is Kieran Murray with the end of the People’s Choice requests programme. He is followed by one of the station’s founders Eddie Caffrey with Afternoon Delight and the Golden Hour. There are plenty of local adverts in the busy pre-Christmas period.

The recording was made between 1350 and 1438 on 25^th November 1986 from Boyneside’s Dublin FM relay transmitter on 105.5 FM. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

30th October 202330th October 2023

October bank holiday 1985 on Q102

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This recording of Dublin super-pirate Q102 was made on bank holiday Monday 1985, eight months after the station had entered the capital’s competitive radio market. It includes a syndicated show by the US ABC Radio Network, featuring the band Huey Lewis and the News who were enjoying chart success at the time.

There’s the usual mix of commercials for medium-sized and large businesses in the city. News on the hour is read by Martin O’Neill, aka Niall Martin, who would go on to have a career as an RTÉ journalist. The syndicated show is followed at midday by John Kenny, who would become an RTÉ sports journalist.

Part 1 above runs from 1054-1139 and Part 2 below from 1142-1227.

Part 2 from 1142

The tape was made on 28^th October 1985 from 102 FM and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

2nd August 202330th July 2023

Pat Courtenay and Cathy Cregan on Sunshine 101

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Sunshine Radio, later Sunshine 101, broadcast from the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock in north Dublin between September 1980 and December 1988. By 1985, it was well established as one of the capital’s leading professional pirates, broadcasting chart music and specialist programming on high-powered AM and FM frequencies. This recording of the final half hour of Pat Courtenay’s breakfast show begins with 15 minutes of non-stop music, interspersed with station idents. Agency adverts reflect Sunshine’s commercial success but a local community event is also promoted, reflected the station’s roots on the northside of Dublin. News is ready by Cathy Cregan, who is followed by station founder and owner, Robbie Dale (Robinson).

Both Pat Courtenay and Cathy Cregan continue to broadcast on radio today. Listen here to our tribute to Robbie Robinson, who died in 2021. This recording was made from 100.5 FM on Tuesday 1^st October 1985 from 0921-1006. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

31st July 202330th July 2023

John Kenny on Dublin’s Q102

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This recording of popular Dublin station Q102 was made in the summer of 1985 and features part of the evening drivetime show presented by John Kenny. Chart music alternates with classic tunes and there are plenty of adverts ranging from larger companies and brands to restaurants and clothing shops around Dublin. A promo airs for a 1970s special over the August bank holiday weekend, there’s a competition for tickets to the Horse Show and gigs by Stockton’s Wing and Blue in Heaven are mentioned. News with Gary Hamill (Seán McCarthy) includes reference to the moving statues phenomenon that rocked Ireland that summer. John Kenny is still heard on sports and music shows on RTÉ.

The tape was recorded from 102 FM on Wednesday 31^st July 1985. Part 1 above runs from 1827 and Part 2 below from 1913.

Part 2 from 1913.

At this time Q102 also broadcast on 828 kHz AM. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.