Community Radio 257 broadcast for about six months in 1983 from the north Dublin suburb of Clontarf. It was run by John Thewlis who had previously operated Echo Radio from the same location in 1982. Community Radio 257 emerged following the raids on the big pirates in May 1983 and later moved to Portmarnock in north Co. Dublin, before closing down that November. Community Radio 257 had big plans and many capable DJs were involved but recordings of the station reveal that advertising revenue was slow.
Original cassette inlay from Anoraks Ireland Collection.
In this recording, Conor Cuddihy presents the Afternoon Spin programme, consisting of music and station promos, including one for the 257 Radiophonic Institute that promised to train presenters and producers. Jingles are both generic and recycled from the original Radio 257 in 1980. News is read by Fergal Conneely. The recording was made on Thursday 25th August 1983 from 94 FM between 1304 and 1444. Community Radio 257 also broadcast on 1116 kHz AM. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.
By November 1983, Community Radio 257 was based in Portmarnock in north County Dublin. This recording from that period begins with the final few minutes of a show presented by Gary Hamill (Seán McCarthy) who has a competition for listeners to win £5 in cash. News at the top of the hour is followed by Conor Cuddihy’s drivetime programme. Apart from a promo for community events and the ’257 Communications Institute’ offering radio courses, there are no actual commercials. An original Radio 257 (ARD) ident voiced by Tony Allen is aired but there was no direct connection with the earlier station. Gary Hamill went on to larger commercial pirate stations such as Q102 and Energy 103.
The tape was made from 103 FM on Saturday 12th November 1983 between 1450 and 1535. Community Radio 257 also broadcast on 1116 kHz AM. The recording is from the Skywaves Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from northeast Dublin.
Community Radio 257 rate card (courtesy Ian Biggar).
Community Radio 257 was a short-lived station broadcasting to the northside of Dublin in 1983. One of many stations in the area associated with John Thewlis, it began around the time of the raids on the bigger pirates in May 1983. By July, Anoraks UK reported that it was based in the northern suburb of Clontarf. According to an article by Tony Donlon in the World DX Club magazine in July 1983, Community Radio 257 used a 250-watt rig previously owned by Wicklow Community Radio, which had been closed down by the Council for infringing the planning act. The address given was 77 Dollymount Avenue, Dublin 3.
According to Offshore Echos no. 49 of October 1983, Community Radio 257 broadcast first on 1134 kHz but moved to 1116 kHz in July to avoid interfering with Radio Dublin Channel 2. In an illustration of the cut-throat world of Dublin pirate radio at the time, the Captain’s News reported that for the first two days it was jammed by Capitol Radio’s transmitter as they had planned to use that frequency. Community Radio 257 also announced 94 FM, broadcast 24 hours a day and carried news on the half hour. The grandly titled ‘Community Radio 257 Radiophonic Institute’ offered a course for potential producers and presenters for the proposed new commercial stations. The most promising students were to be be offered jobs on the station. In October, Anoraks UK reported that Community Radio 257 was on and off air and later moved to the Country Club in Portmarnock. It was raided after allegedly causing interference at Dublin Airport and closed down on 25th November.
This recording of the station was made on Friday 26th August 1983 from 1045-1130. The cassette label notes 94 FM but the poor audio quality suggests AM instead. Tony Meyler is on air with a competition for listeners to win cinema tickets. Promos are heard for the 257 Radiophonic Institute and the 257 roadshow disco for party hire. The recording is from the Skywaves Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from northeast Dublin. Thanks for Ian Biggar for further background information.
