Cork Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

8th October 202529th September 2025

Early Cork series: Various show on Radio City

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features a variety of presenters and shows from its schedule in spring 1981. First up is Pete Andrews (O’Neill) who reads out a listener’s letter and previews various programmes coming up over the weekend. He is followed by Susan James and Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan). Of interest towards the end is Eric Hansen who under his real name of John Creedon continues to broadcast on RTÉ to this day.

The dates are unclear but we estimate the recording to be from 31^st January and 1^st and 2^nd February 1981. The tape was made from 95.7 FM and although 104 FM is also mentioned, Radio City’s AM transmitter was off the air at the time. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

30th September 202530th September 2025

Early Cork series: More of the launch of Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This recording features more of the launch broadcast of Cork pirate Radio City at the end of August 1980. Pete Andrews (O’Neill) is in the chair with music and a preview of the planned programmes with various DJs including Susan James, Seán Collins, Derry O’Callaghan, Dave Johnson, Steve Douglas, John Marner and Dave Powell. There’s a cryptic reference to DJs from rival station Capital Radio who are said to be outside but not invited to the launch. Full programming on Radio City began the following day.

This recording was made from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres between 1634-1711 on Sunday 31^st August 1980 and is courtesy of Ken Baird. Audio quality is fair with variable levels.

24th September 202521st September 2025

Early Cork series: First Afternoon Delight show on Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This recording is of the first Afternoon Delight show on Cork pirate Radio City, on its first full day on air in 1980. The show was presented each weekday by Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan), who also managed the station. Karl has no phone number for listeners but there are still plenty of requests, presumably handed in to the station at 27 Parnell Place in the city centre. There’s also a promo for the Guaranteed Irish programme on Tuesday and Thursday nights and a single live-read advert for an event in a local hotel.

The tape was made by Ken Baird from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, between 1509-1555 on Monday 1^st September 1980 and is kindly donated by Ian Biggar.

17th September 202514th September 2025

Early Cork series: The Homerun on Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City feastures Noel Evans (Welch) on the daily Homerun programme. It includes traffic updates, a medical advice slot, a charity appeal from a local nun, adverts for local businesses around Cork and a competition. There’s also a letter from super-fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue), who donated this recording.

The tape was made between 1700-1730 on 2^nd February 1981 from 95.5 FM.

10th September 20256th September 2025

Early Cork series: Pat O’Rourke on Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Pat O’Rourke (aka The Smurf) was a popular DJ on the early Cork pirate radio stations. This recording features his late-night show on Radio City and includes a preview of weekend programmes on the station. The first section is of the final half-hour of Pat’s romantic music slot from 2334-0000 on Friday 16^th January 1981, ending with the national anthem to close down Radio City for the night. This is followed by part of another late-night show presented by Pat, apparently from 18^th January.

The tape was made from 95.7 FM but there is distortion on the links possibly due to a microphone issue. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.