Anoraks Ireland Collection Archives - Page 18 of 44 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

28th December 202312th January 2024

Waterford Local Radio prepares for closedown

Waterford Local Radio (WLR) was one of Ireland’s most successful and long-running pirates, broadcasting from 1978 to 1988, and it was one of the few pirates to be licensed in 1989. This recording was made 48 hours before the pirate station closed down in line with new broadcasting legislation. On air is Seán Organ, formerly of Suirside Radio, who continues to broadcast on the licensed WLR FM today. News is read by Clodagh Walsh, who went on to work as a journalist in the new independent radio sector and RTÉ. Station idents cover Counties Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny, reflecting WLR’s coverage area. There are references to the impending station closedown at 6pm on 30^th December 1988 and a reminder to listeners to support WLR’s licence application, which had already been endorsed by over 100 community groups.

The tape was made from 88.9 FM on Wednesday, 28^th December 1988 from 1348-1433. There is some wobble in the recording due to cassette degradation in places. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

25th December 202330th December 2023

Christmas Day on Dublin Community Radio

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Dublin Community Radio (DCR) was an FM-only station set up in 1984. It was based in North Frederick Street in the city centre before moving to Foley Street. It later became KISS FM (1985-1986), which was located at the same address. This recording was made on Christmas Day 1984 and features Paul Martin followed by Fintan O’Hare. Interestingly, there are no Christmas tunes and the music consists mostly of oldies. Only a few adverts are heard but there is heavy promotion of an entertainment company specialising in DJs, discos and dancers.

The recording was made from 104.35 FM, announced as 105 between 1913-2053 on 25th December 1984. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

18th December 202317th December 2023

Hits and requests on KITS from Monaghan

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KITS car sticker (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Monaghan has long been an important county for pirate radio, with various stations over the years taking advantage of proximity to the Northern market. One late arrival to the 1980s pirate scene was Hot Hits KITS from Monaghan Town, which began test tranmissions at the end of 1987. The Anoraks UK Weekly Report of 20^th December noted non-stop music and idents on 100.9 FM and the following edition reported that live transmissions began during Christmas week. Professional PAMS jingles were to be produced and the station was described as one of Monaghan’s two ‘border blasters’ along with KISS FM which was conducting tests at that time.

Hits and requests on KITS from Monaghan — Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

In this evening show with Simon Dee, adverts and requests are heard from both sides of the border. The recording was made from 100.9 FM (announced as 101) on 27^th April 1988 between 1812-1858. KITS also broadcast on 837 kHz AM and closed down permanently in the afternoon of 31^st December 1988. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

12th December 202310th December 2023

John Lewis on South Coast Radio

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Former offshore DJ John Lewis spent a stint on Cork’s South Coast Radio in 1982 and 1983. He had previously worked on Radio Caroline in the 1970s until the Mi Amigo sank in 1980 and was also heard on the Voice of Peace off the Israeli coast. In this recording, John presents a Saturday evening show featuring plenty of requests, the Lewis Cues quiz and sports news with John Kenny. News at the top of the hour is read by Andrew Hewkin and commercial breaks feature both agency adverts and spots for local businesses.

John Lewis returned to North Sea in 1984 and joined the new offshore station Laser before returning to Radio Caroline. He still broadcasts on the current licensed Radio Caroline and has also worked with other UK commercial stations.

This tape was made on Saturday 20^th August 1983 from 1725-1902. It was recorded from 103.7 FM, announced as 104. South Coast also broadcast on 1557 kHz, announced as 194 metres. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

6th December 20233rd December 2023

Chart sounds on Enniscorthy Local Radio

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Enniscorthy Local Radio broadcast on AM and FM from the town of Enniscorthy in Co. Wexford in 1982. There is little information available about the station but it was noted in a log by DX Archive on 1512 kHz AM/199 metres and 99.1 FM in December. However, it did not appear in previous or subsequent listings so it is unclear how long it lasted into 1983.

Chart sounds on Enniscorthy Local Radio — Original label from Anoraks Ireland Collection

This recording was made in summer 1982 and features DJ Tommy Butler with an afternoon chart music and requests show. There are plenty of adverts for small local businesses in Enniscorthy and Ferms about 10km away. Billy Shanahan is to follow Tommy with the next programme. The tape was made from 1522-1658 on Monday 9^th August 1982 and was recorded from 99.6 FM in mono, announcing 100 FM. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.