Concord Community Radio Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

Concord Community Radio explains aims of community broadcasting — Concord Community Radio flyer (Alan MacSimoin Collection).

Concord Community Radio began broadcasting in March 1983 to the Artane district of the northside of Dublin, before changing its name to North Dublin Community Radio (NDCR) in 1984. It was one of a number of stations committed to developing licensed community broadcasting in Ireland and a leading member of the National Association of Community Broadcasters. Like the other pirates, NDCR closed at the end of 1988 but many of those involved went on to form NEAR FM, the licensed community station for northeast Dublin that launched in 1995.

This short recording of Concord Community Radio includes an unidentified DJ and a promo outlining the philosophy of community radio, reflecting the political debate about the licensing of local radio at that time. It was made from 891 kHz AM on Saturday 21^st May 1983, just days after the raids on the large commercial Dublin stations Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio. The tape is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated to us by Steve England.

28th August 20234th September 2025

Concord Community Radio prepares for Christmas

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Concord Community Radio was the first iteration of community radio on the northside of Dublin city, a tradition that continues in licensed form to this day. Concord began broadcasting in March 1983 on 1332 kHz (220 metres) and later moved to 890 kHz (337 metres), which was slightly off-channel. In 1984, Concord became North Dublin Community Radio (NDCR) and continued on AM and FM until the end of 1988. It was one of the leading members of the National Association of Community Broadcasters that lobbied for licensed community radio and many of those involved went on to set up NEAR FM, which began broadcasting on a fulltime basis in 1995.

First up in this recording is Gerry Lee with Christmas music and ballads in the easy listening style. He is followed by Boppin’ Billy with the country and bluegrass show. The tape was made from 98.2 FM from 2125-2215 on 14^th December 1983 and is from the Skywave Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin.

18th May 20214th September 2025

Punk and reggae on Concord Community Radio

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Concord Community Radio broadcast from the Artane/Coolock area of northeast Dublin from March 1983 and would become North Dublin Community Radio (NDCR), which continued until the end of 1988. It was an AM-only station, announcing 337 metres or 890 kHz (presumably 891). This is a recording from 18^th May 1983, the day of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs raid on Radio Nova, which sent shockwaves through the pirate world. No time is given, but the choice of music suggests an evening programme. The unnamed presenter plays punk and reggae and takes requests from listeners but there is no mention of the raid that morning. In the following days many pirates closed down temporarily as a precaution.

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

16th December 202015th December 2020

The Pirate.ie Podcast #3

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We’re delighted to announce episode #3 of the Pirate.ie podcast which explores themes covered in our growing archive of Irish pirate radio.

The 1980s can be described as the decade that Ireland changed from black and white to colour and pirate radio was very much part of that social change. While many pushed for liberalisation, conservative forces opposed moves towards opening up Irish society and pirate radio reflected such tensions. Larger commercial stations were dominated by men’s voices while women and minority groups were better represented in specialist and community radio. Community radio itself developed a more inclusive model of participation and access and even large commercial stations practised corporate social responsibility from time to time. Religion also played a key role, with several pirates representing Catholic values which were still powerful in Irish society.

In episode #3, John Walsh and Brian Greene explore the social influence of pirate radio during its heyday.

9th April 20204th September 2025

Rockabilly on Concord Community Radio (Dublin)

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From 890 kHz/337 metres, this is Concord Community Radio from the Artane/Coolock area of Dublin on 27th March 1983 from 1900. Boppin’ Billy is on air. Billy went on to be manager at Concord’s successor North Dublin Community Radio (NDCR), was on Radio Caroline Dublin for 10 years in the 90s, worked for Beaumont Hospital Radio and these days he is on Dublin City FM on Fridays from midnight to 2am. Still playing rockabilly!