Sunshine Radio protests against RTÉ jamming

Sunshine Radio protests against RTÉ jamming
Sunshine Radio sticker (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Frustrated by the commercial success of the large Dublin stations Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio and by the failure of politicians to regulate the radio market, RTÉ began jamming the pirates in 1984 by broadcasting on the same frequencies. At the beginning of the year, RTÉ stepped up its jamming campaign against Nova before moving to block the signal of Sunshine Radio at the end of March. The actions caused consternation due to the popularity of the stations and politicians, including the Minister for Communications, expressed their concern in the Dáil. The jamming ended in May, reportedly after intervention from the government.

These airchecked recordings are of Sunshine Radio’s news bulletins about a week into the RTÉ campaign after the station’s FM frequencies were jammed. Managing Director Robbie Robinson is quoted as saying that Sunshine Radio was like a moped being chased by a 10-ton truck. Newsreaders are Cathy Cregan, Stephen Fogarty, Justin McKenna and Gary Miley. The bulletins are from Wednesday 4th April 1984 at 1200, 1300, 1400, 1600 and 2400 and the tape also includes an excerpt from Robinson’s morning show the following day. The recording was made from 531 kHz AM and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Pat Courtenay and Cathy Cregan on Sunshine 101

Pat Courtenay and Cathy Cregan on Sunshine 101
Cathy Cregan (left) and Robbie Robinson (right) in the Sunshine Review of 1985 (courtesy DX Archive).

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).

Pat Courtenay and Cathy Cregan on Sunshine 101
Pat Courtenay pictured in the Sunshine Review of 1985 (courtesy DX Archive).

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 1st October 1985 from 0921-1006. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

More David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio

More David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio
Brian Greene’s own Sunshine Radio badge!

Here’s more of David Dennehy on late-night Sunshine Radio on 11th September 1982. Made from 101 FM from 2246-2331, the recording features more of the Album Top 30. News at 11pm is presented by Cathy Cregan, one of Sunshine’s best-known newsreaders. She had worked previously in ARD and joined Sunshine in its early days. Cathy went on to work as a journalist in national independent station Century Radio (1989-1991) and can now be heard on RTÉ.

This recording is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England.

David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio

David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio
David Dennehy as featured in the Sunshine Review 1985 (courtesy of DX Archive).

David Dennehy was a popular presenter on Sunshine Radio in the 1980s. Here he is in relaxed mood on late-night Sunshine on 11th September 1982. After two years on air, Sunshine was well-established as one of the two big Dublin pirates at this time.

From 10pm David presents the Album Top 30. News on the hour is read by Cathy Cregan.

The recording runs from 2125-2216 and was recorded from 101 FM. It is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England.

Tony and Declan King on Sunshine Radio

Tony and Declan King on Sunshine Radio
Tony King (Plunkett) and Declan King in the Sunshine Review from 1985 (courtesy DX Archive).

This is an excerpt from the Saturday afternoon sports programme on Sunshine Radio on 11th September 1982, as recorded by Leon Tipler on one of his regular visits to Dublin to document the Irish scene. It was made from 101 FM from 1550-1626 and features presenters Tony King (Plunkett) and Declan King. Tony had worked previously with other stations such as ARD. News is read by Cathy Cregan, another well-known voice of the time, and still a broadcaster today. The headlines include a story about Declan Flynn, the gay man who was murdered in Fairview Park two days previously. His death was a turning point in the campaign for LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland.

This recording is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England.