Border Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

28th May 202528th May 2025

Border series: brief return of Radio North in 1992

Radio North closed down towards the end of 1991 and its AM frequency on 846 kHz was taken over by North Atlantic Radio, a rival Donegal station that had itself broken away from Radio North in 1989. This was logged on 16^th February 1992 by DX Archive. Radio North made a short-lived return later that year, appearing on 1008 kHz after that frequency was vacated by another Donegal pirate Riverside 101. It appears that Radio North returned for one day only and this recording features station stalwart the inimitable Mickey Henry, who says that the station is in new ownership although the old jingles are still used.

This recording of the brief return was made in Scotland from 1008 kHz AM on 8^th September 1992 between 1803-1935 and was made by Ken Baird. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation. Audio quality is fair to poor and contains fading and co-channel interference as would be expected at nightfall and at a distance. There are also technical issues and variable audio levels and it seems that Radio North was not ready to return to the air on a full-time basis.

21st May 202522nd May 2025

Border series: afternoon shows on Radio North

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This recording of Donegal pirate Radio North was made on a winter’s afternoon in 1991, not long before the station left the airwaves for over two years. It begins with Eddie Barr who holds a phone-in competition, attracting callers mostly from the North. In another reflection of the station’s popularity across the border, all advertisements in this recording are from Co. Derry. There is also a horoscope spot and plenty of requests for the usual diet of country and Irish music. Eddie’s show is followed by the evening drivetime programme with John Wright. Radio North closed down near the end of 1991 when its AM frequency was taken over by rival station North Atlantic Radio. In early 1994, North Atlantic Radio reverted to the Radio North name.

The tape was made from 846 kHz AM on Tuesday 29^th October 1991 from 1504-1635 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar. It was recorded in Scotland and as would be expected for the time of year, there is increasing co-channel interference as darkness falls.

14th May 202513th May 2025

Border series: Lunchtime on North Atlantic Radio

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North Atlantic Radio was a breakaway station from Donegal pirate Radio North, broadcasting from November 1989 until January 1994, when it reverted to the Radio North name. Both stations were based on the Inishowen peninsula and fishing in the same advertising pool locally and across the border. First up is DJ Laura with a lunchtime mix of requests, country and Irish music and long commercial breaks featuring businesses in Donegal, Derry and Antrim. She is followed by Harry with the afternoon show.

The recording was made from 954 kHz AM on 22^nd June 1991 from 1230-1400 and is kindly donated by Ian Biggar. Audio quality is consistent with AM but there is some distortion in places.

7th May 20257th May 2025

Border series: Interview with Francis Callaghan of Radio North

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This interview with Radio North founder Francis Callaghan was conducted in mid-1991, almost two and a half years after the Donegal station defied the new broadcasting laws and decided to stay on the air. Francis gives a short station history, describing how Radio North receives reception reports from listeners throughout Europe and explaining the change of name to Northside Radio in 1989. He also refers to the new breakaway station, North Atlantic Radio, which was at the time broadcasting from the old Radio North location in Carndonagh. Radio North was at the time focusing on serving listeners in Northern Ireland.

This interview was conducted by DX Archive during a visit to Radio North in the village of Muff in May 1991 and was donated by Ian Biggar.

29th April 202529th April 2025

Border series: Saturday evening show on Radio North

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This recording of Donegal station Radio North is of a Saturday evening show from the autumn of 1990. DJ Neil Sweeney has plenty of inane chatter and plays pop/chart music and oldies for the first half-hour, followed by a tribute to American country singer Marty Robbins. The feature includes recordings of WIL FM in Nashville. There are plenty of adverts from Donegal, Derry and Antrim and an advertising promo claims that Radio North has coverage of 5 counties. Syndicated news headlines from ITN in London are broadcast at 1730 and 1800 and a PO box number in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, is given out as the station address.

There was cut-throat competition between the Donegal pirates at this time, and Radio North was no doubt feeling the pressure from loss of advertising revenue to rival station North Atlantic Radio, set up by former Radio North DJs in November 1989. This recording was made from 98.8 FM on 22^nd September 1990 between 1729-1850 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.