Dan Noonan (Carl Johnson) 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.

24th September 202521st September 2025

Early Cork series: First Afternoon Delight show on Radio City

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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.

3rd September 20254th September 2025

Early Cork series: Saturday shows on Radio City

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This recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made on a Saturday in the winter of 1980 and gives a flavour of weekend programmes at the station. Kicking off is Ed Harris with the end of his Saturday breakfast show, who is followed by John Ashford (John Buckley, RIP) with Morning Beat. Next up are Pete Andrews (O’Neill) and Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with horoscopes to wind up Saturday Club at 1300, followed by Noel Evans (Welch) with the Saturday Sports Report. The last section is of an unidentified DJ presenting disco music.

The recording was made from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres on 1^st November 1980 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

20th August 202512th August 2025

Early Cork series: evening shows on Radio City

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This is another recording of Cork pirate Radio City in the early months of its existence in autumn 1980. Most of the recording consists of Monday evening shows: Paul Cassidy with Travelling Through the 70s including a listeners’ quiz and Tony Allen (Walsh) with Jukebox Jive. These are followed by short snippets of daytime programmes: Pete Andrews (O’Neill) at lunchtime, Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delights and Noel Evans (Welch) with Home Run.

The tape of Radio City was made on 6^th and 7^th October 1980 from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres. Audio quality is poor throughout due to rudimentary recording equipment. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

14th July 202512th July 2025

Early Cork series: Second week on Radio City

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This recording was made during the second week of broadcasting of the Cork pirate Radio City, that came on the air in September 1980. It features snippets from a variety of daytime and evening programmes, including Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delight, Paul Cassidy with the Golden Hour and Tony Walsh with new music until midnight. Many DJs refer to their gigs in local hotels or nightclubs, which was common among pirate radio presenters anxious to supplement their income in the lean 1980s.

The recording was made on Wednesday 10^th and Friday 12^th September 1980 from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, and is courtesy of Lillian O’Donoghue.