A Radio West sticker from the station’s period on 765 kHz (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
This is part of the weekly Radio West Anoraks’ Show from spring 1986, presented by Phil Hilton and station boss Shaun Coyne. Stations discussed include Centre Radio in Kildare, the new Independent Radio Longford, Big M in Monaghan, Cavan Community Radio and Boyneside Radio. There are letters from people selling AM and FM transmitters and reference to DX programmes broadcast on public broadcasters around Europe.
The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 765 kHz AM between 1136-1200 on Sunday 18th May 1986.
Radio West’s AM site at Tyrrellspass in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).
This recording of Radio West from summer 1987 begins with the end of Don Allen’s easy listening programme just before the weekly Anoraks’ Show presented by Don and Radio West boss Shaun Coyne. There are the usual letters from listeners, one asking for an exchange of pirate recordings and another providing a report from Dublin. From Scotland, Jock Wilson of Radio Stella International is looking for someone to operate a 200w shortwave transmitter in Ireland and is interviewed on the programme.
Shaun Coyne comments on the busy pirate scene in London where raids take place a few times a week. He also announces that Radio West is to return on high-powered FM in Dublin and is planning to install a transmitter in Galway. There are round-ups from around the country and a promise to publish an anoraks’ magazine, which never materialised. A promo for Anoraks Ireland is voiced by David Baker.
The recording from the Anoraks Ireland Collection was made from 702 kHz AM on Sunday 21st June 1987 between 1045-1145 and is partially airchecked. There is some cassette wobble at the start and reception is consistent with a daytime groundwave signal as heard in Dublin.
Radio Caroline card from the mid-1990s (Pirate.ie Collection).
Radio Caroline Dublin broadcast to the capital between 1989 and 2000, making it one of the longest-running pirates of the post-1989 era. This recording was made towards the end of its run in 2000 and highlights the wide variety of music played and the freewheeling, non-commercial style. It begins with the last few minutes of duo Travis and Tony, who are followed by another double-act, Michelle and Rhonda.
The tape was made on Wednesday 17th May 2000 from 102.5 FM between 1815-1915 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.
John Clarke in the KISS FM studio in 1982 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).
This recording of Radio Nova offshoot KISS FM was made on St. Patrick’s Day 1983. First up is the final part of the lunchtime show with Colm Hayes. He is joined in studio by Eurovision winner Johnny Logan, who is due to begin his nationwide tour in Nova Park that night. Colm is followed by John Clarke who continues the Irish musical theme, mixed with oldies. News on the hour is read by Bryan Dobson, who would go on to a long career in RTÉ. A promo for the ‘KISS FM £5,000 pay-off’ is also heard, one of the many extravagant giveaways by the Radio Nova network.
The recording was made from 102.7 FM on Thursday 17th March 1983 between 1531-1705 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.
Derry O’Callaghan with super-fan Lilian McCarthy in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).
This short recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made in spring 1982, the station’s last year in operation. The Top 40 countdown is presented by Derry O’Callaghan in an afternoon slot. There are references to other DJs finishing up and changes happening in the station. The Cork radio scene was shook up around this time by the launch of a new professional pirate, South Coast Radio that would continue in its initial guise until 1984. Radio City left the air in autumn 1982.
The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on 2nd March 1982 from 95.7 FM. The DJ also announces 199 metres (1512 kHz) but logs suggest that Radio City had moved to 240 metres (1242 kHz) by this time.
