Tag: Dublin

Posted on

Dublin AM and FM bandscan from 1980

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dublin AM and FM bandscan from 1980
Some of the Leon Tipler cassettes from 1980 in the Pirate.ie collection.

This recording consists of a selection of snippets from radio as heard in Dublin in summer 1980 by English anorak Leon Tipler on one of his many visits to Ireland. These and other recordings were the raw material for his acclaimed documentary series The Irish Pirates. Tipler tunes up and down the AM band and comes across items such as a legal advice slot on Radio 257 from the Crofton Airport Hotel, Radio Dublin with DJ Lee and various clips of the Big D, including the 6pm news bulletin. Some UK stations are also received on AM.

Of note from the pirates is an advert for the Stardust nightclub, which was destroyed in February 1981 in a devastating fire in which 48 people died. There is also an advert for Tamango’s nightclub at the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock, later to be home of Sunshine Radio. On the relatively empty FM band are RTÉ Radio 1, Radio 2 and Raidió na Gaeltachta. The 6.30am opening of Radio 1 is heard with the O’Donnell Abú interval signal and an early music show presented by Eileen Dunne, who would go on to become one of the station’s main newsreaders. Radio 2 DJs in the recording include Jim O’Neill and Dave Fanning.

The recording was made on and around 29th July 1980 and is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated to us by Steve England.   

Posted on

Early evening show on Radio Caroline Dublin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Early evening show on Radio Caroline Dublin
Radio Caroline poster from the mid-1990s (Pirate.ie Collection).

This recording of Radio Caroline Dublin was made towards the end of the station’s 11-year run in 2000. Travis and Tony are in the early evening slot with mostly current tunes and a few from the 1970s-1990s. There are plenty of requests for listeners and in-jokes between the two presenters. Reflecting changing technology, a mobile number is given out for requests and a station promo contains an email address. There is some interference in places so the recording may have been made outside Caroline’s core reception area.

The tape was made from 102.5 FM between 1625-1810 on 17th May 2000 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar. Radio Caroline Dublin was based in Sutton in northeast Dublin and broadcast occasionally from 1989 and daily from 1992-2000.

Posted on

Sunshine Radio during jamming campaign

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Sunshine Radio during jamming campaign
Sunshine sticker from the mid-1980s (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

This short recording of Sunshine Radio was made during a night-time slot in the spring of 1984, when RTÉ was relentlessly jamming the station’s signal as part of its campaign against the pirate. First up is the end of the Radio Romance slot with David Dennehy. News at midnight is presented by Justin McKenna and includes reference to the jamming, which was causing serious problems for Sunshine by this time. The iconic Desiderata, which used to be played before closedown of Sunshine every night, is heard before the midnight news as the station had long since moved to round-the-clock broadcasting. After news is Paul Vincent with the overnight show.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 100.5 FM between 2352-0015 on Thursday 22nd into Friday 23rd March 1984.

Posted on

Late-night shows on Energy 103

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Late-night shows on Energy 103
Energy 103 studios at 144 Upper Leeson Street (courtesy Andy Carter).

This recording features the new Dublin station Energy 103 from summer 1986. Energy emerged from the ashes of Radio Nova, beginning broadcasting on 28th April and quickly becoming a leader in the Dublin radio market. The first part of the recording features a late-night show presented by Alan Burns, from 0113-0201 on Tuesday 29th July 1986. The second part is from 2357-0045 on Tuesday and Wednesday 29th and 30th July. It begins at the end of the syndicated programme American Music Magazine presented by Rick Dees and continues with Alan Burns again. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Posted on

Radio Caroline Dublin relayed on shortwave

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Radio Caroline Dublin relayed on shortwave
Radio Caroline transmitter from the mid-1990s (Pirate.ie Collection).

Old Gold Retold was a popular oldies show on Sunday mornings on Radio Caroline Dublin (102.5 FM) in the 1990s. The presenter was Derek Jones, a veteran of the Dublin pirate scene since the 1970s. The programme was sometimes relayed by one of the city’s pirate shortwave operators, bringing it to listeners in western Europe and occasionally further afield.

This edition of Old Gold Retold is from 0949-1120 on Sunday 4th October 1998 as rebroadcast by Ozone Radio on 6245 kHz in the 48-metre band shortwave. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.