Anoraks Ireland Collection Archives - Page 20 of 44 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

13th November 202324th November 2023

Northeast series: Afternoon shows on Boyneside Radio

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

25th July 202314th July 2023

Summer breakfast show on Dublin’s Q102

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Scott Williams was one of the leading DJs on Dublin super-pirate Q102 (1985-1988) and opened Ireland’s first licensed independent station Capital Radio in July 1989. In this recording from four years earlier, he is heard presenting the Q breakfast with a mix of chart music, the ‘Bits and pieces’ competition and headlines and the newspaper review by Anne Cassin. There are also promos for a £10 giveaway to listeners on the streets of Dublin and for the hospital requests slot each afternoon. Commercial breaks feature the usual mixture of well-known Dublin businesses and agency adverts.

The recording was made from 102 FM from 0726-0811 on Thursday 25^th July 1985. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection donated by Paul Davidson.