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Early Cork series: lunchtime to drivetime on Radio City

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Early Cork series: lunchtime to drivetime on Radio City
Jamies Roberts in summer 1981 at Radio City (courtesy Radio City)

These recordings of Radio City from 1981 include excerpts spanning lunchtime, afternoon and early evening programmes. First up is Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with various examples of the 3-in-a-row feature from his daily lunchtime show. We also hear a new DJ in the Afternoon Delights slot, Jamie Roberts, who is clearly still learning the ropes. He is followed by Noel Evans (Welch), with part of the Homerun drivetime show.  

Dates of these recordings are uncertain but the cassette label mentions 11th May 1981. They were made from 95.5 FM and are courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

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Early Cork series: More of the lunchtime show on Radio City

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Early Cork series: More of the lunchtime show on Radio City
Pete O’Neill at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This is another recording of the lunchtime show on Cork pirate Radio City, presented by one of the station founders, Pete Andrews (O’Neill). There are plenty of community notices in this edition, as well as requests and dedications and the usual Golden Year feature. Following Pete, fellow Radio City founder Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) is heard with the beginning of his Afternoon Delight show.

The partially airchecked recording was made from 95.5 FM between 1202-1403 on Wednesday 8th April 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres.

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Early Cork series: Christmas 1980 on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Christmas 1980 on Radio City
L-R: Eric Hansen (John Creedon) and Alan Reid (Henry Condon, RIP) at Radio City (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

The Cork pirate Radio City celebrated its first Christmas on air in 1980, 4 months after going on the air. This recording from that day features a lively show with Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) who is joined in studio by John Mariner and Eric Hansen (John Creedon, now of RTÉ). There are plenty of Christmas greetings from listeners, including live callers, some of whom are related to the DJs. Karl and the others are followed by Hospital Radio Special with Pete Andrews (O’Neill) and Susan James (O’Neill), who are joined later by Mike Cagney. The programme includes Christmas music, more requests and pre-recorded interviews.

Early Cork series: Christmas 1980 on Radio City
Susan James (O’Connor) at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

The airchecked recording was made from 95.7 FM between approximately 1200-1500 on 25th December 1980. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz AM, announcing 199 metres. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

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Early Cork series: Various show on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Various show on Radio City
L-R: Eric Hansen (John Creedon) and Alan Reid (Henry Condon, RIP) at Radio City (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue)

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 31st January and 1st and 2nd 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.

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Early Cork series: First Afternoon Delight show on Radio City

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Early Cork series: First Afternoon Delight show on Radio City
Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

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 1st September 1980 and is kindly donated by Ian Biggar.