David Dennehy Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

6th February 20236th February 2023

Chris Barry and David Dennehy on ARD/Radio 257

Radio 257 was the new name for ARD (Alternative Radio Dublin) when the station relaunched on 4^th January 1980. Many of the DJs on ARD/Radio 257 would go on to become household names in Irish radio, including John Clarke, Mike Moran, Tony Allan (RIP), Paul Vincent and Ian Dempsey. The station closed in 1982 as the super-pirates gained dominance in the Dublin radio market.

Radio 257 reverted to the ARD name at a later stage but in this recording from April 1981, both versions are heard in links and idents. First up is Chris Barry with his drivetime show which includes plenty of adverts and generic jingles re-cut with the ‘257’ tagline. He is followed by David Dennehy who has a write-in competition for listeners. Both Chris and David went on to work in larger pirate stations and eventually licensed radio.

This recording was made from 99.9 FM on 2^nd April 1981 and Part 1 above runs from 1727-1815. Part 2 below is from 1815-1833 on 2^nd April and is followed by part of the Night Train show from 3^rd April 1981, presented by Gary Edwards.

Part 2 from 2nd and 3rd April 1981.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

7th October 20227th October 2022

Hugh O’Brien and David Dennehy on ARD

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This recording of Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) was made on a Saturday afternoon in 1981. Hugh O’Brien is on air with mostly oldies and is joined by David Dennehy with sports news. Both would be heard on other pirates throughout the 1980s and on licensed radio thereafter. The recording includes a news flash about the highjacking of an Aer Lingus plane in Paris.

There are plenty of adverts including one for Channel 3 television, later to be known as Channel D. Channel 3 was one of a handful of short-lived pirate television stations broadcasting in the 1980s. It was set up by Don Moore of ARD and Michael Tiernan of the National Independent Broadcasting Organisation, a grouping of commercial pirate stations. Other voices heard on adverts are Paul Vincent, Dave C. and Tony Allan. The cassette has become degraded over time and there is some audio distortion.

The recording was made from 99.9 FM from 1659-1745 on 2nd May 1981. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

18th August 202117th August 2021

More David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio

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Here’s more of David Dennehy on late-night Sunshine Radio on 11^th September 1982. Made from 101 FM from 2246-2331, the recording features more of the Album Top 30. News at 11pm is presented by Cathy Cregan, one of Sunshine’s best-known newsreaders. She had worked previously in ARD and joined Sunshine in its early days. Cathy went on to work as a journalist in national independent station Century Radio (1989-1991) and can now be heard on RTÉ.

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

16th August 20216th August 2021

David Dennehy on Sunshine Radio

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David Dennehy was a popular presenter on Sunshine Radio in the 1980s. Here he is in relaxed mood on late-night Sunshine on 11th September 1982. After two years on air, Sunshine was well-established as one of the two big Dublin pirates at this time.

From 10pm David presents the Album Top 30. News on the hour is read by Cathy Cregan.

The recording runs from 2125-2216 and was recorded from 101 FM. It is from the Leon Tipler Tapes Collection, donated to us by Steve England.