Christmas Eve Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

17th May 202314th November 2023

Border series: Radio Star Country on Christmas Eve 2010

This recording of border station Radio Star Country was made on Christmas Eve 2010, during the coldest weather in decades. On air is Stevie King with copious requests from all over mid-Ulster and as far afield as Derry and Antrim. Adverts are heard for various country music stars and for businesses in Armagh, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone. An advertising promo thanks advertisers and listeners for their support during the year. Reflecting the mixed political or religious allegiances along the border, Stevie announces events linked to both sides of the community including a céilí and a concert by the Royal British Legion.

Due to a technical issue, no news bulletin from Sky is aired for the first few hours and there are several periods of dead air, which Stevie attributes to the adverse weather. The drivetime show is to be presented by Rita but given the continuous music after 4pm, it seems she did not make it through the snow. Reception is fair to poor as the tape was recorded in Blackpool in England and co-channel interference and fading increase as darkness falls. The recording was made from 981 kHz from 1208-1630 on 24^th December 2010 and is courtesy of DX Archive.

24th December 202214th November 2023

South Coast Radio on Christmas Eve

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This recording of South Coast Radio is from Christmas Eve 1982, at the end of the popular Cork station’s first year of broadcasting. On air is veteran English DJ Stevie Dunne who had previously worked on offshore stations Radio Caroline and the Voice of Peace. He was also heard on Sunshine Radio and Radio Nova in Dublin during the pirate era. Stevie is currently programme director of Dutch AM station Radio Seagull. There are promos for a broadcast of the original ‘War of the Worlds’ programme by Orson Welles from 1938 and a spot featuring South Coast Radio’s very own Cinderella on Christmas Day. News is edited and is read by an unidentified presenter.

The recording was made from 104 FM from 1846-1935 on Friday 24^th December 1982. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. Although the label refers to an ‘ERI Song for Christmas’, the tape includes a song about South Coast Radio itself, with no obvious reference to its rival station.

24th December 202214th November 2023

Christmas Eve into Christmas Day on Radio Nova

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This recording of Radio Nova was made on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1982, by which time the station was well established as one of the leading pirates in Dublin and Ireland. The tape kicks off with Scott Williams who finishes his show with a Christmas tune from a group of singers in studio. ‘Independent radio news from Ireland’ at midnight is read by Siobhán Purcell. ‘Clutterfree Nova’ – continuous music – follows for the next 40 minutes or so before Roland Burke (RIP) signs on until 6am on Christmas morning. Among the requests from listeners is one from Liverpool, reflecting the wide range of Nova’s coverage.

The tape was recorded from 88.2 FM. Since August, Nova was also broadcasting on 819 kHz AM but the cassette label refers to the earlier frequency of 846 kHz.

Part 1 above runs from 2348 and Part 2 below from 0039.

Part 2 from 0039.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

24th December 202214th November 2023

Christmas Eve on Nova sister station KISS FM

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This recording of Radio Nova sister station KISS FM was made on Christmas Eve 1983, not long before the station closed. On air is Dave Harvey with the Airplay Top 40, aired every Saturday on KISS FM at the time. News on the hour is read by Bernie Jameson who continues to broadcast on independent radio today. There’s also a promo for a daily £100 giveaway.

KISS FM was set up in September 1982 as an experimental local station for Dublin and to absorb additional advertising revenue from Radio Nova. While the large number of Christmas adverts on this recording indicates commercial success, behind the scenes Nova was facing enormous challenges due to ongoing jamming by RTÉ. Against this backdrop, KISS closed less than a month later on 15^th January 1984. Dave Harvey was heard on various incarnations of Nova and subsequently on licensed stations including Century Radio, RTÉ and 4FM, now Classic Hits Radio.

Part 1 of the recording above begins at 0945 and Part 2 below at 1020. Towards the end of Part 2, the recording seems to switch to another channel for a few minutes.

Part 2 from 1020.

The recording was made from 102.7 FM and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

24th December 202214th November 2023

Final Christmas Eve on Heartbeat FM

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This is a recording of the final Christmas Eve on Dublin love song station Heartbeat FM from 1988. John Keogh is on air from an unnamed pub with plenty of festive music and requests. He reminds listeners that there are only six days left before Heartbeat closes down and the iconic ‘final countdown’ promo is aired. Adverts of interest include one for a course in computer keyboard skills and another for ‘Bros-look outfits’.

Heartbeat was launched in November 1986 and quickly gained a strong listenership due to its love song format. It changed its name to Cara 95 FM in 1987 but reverted back to Heartbeat due to popular demand. Heartbeat closed at the end of December 1988 in line with the new legislation.

The tape was recorded from 95.5 FM from 1417-1502 on 24^th December 1988 and is partly airchecked. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.