Dublin Archives - Page 28 of 83 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

1st February 20231st February 2023

Big D Automated – an idea ahead of its time

Big D Automated was an experimental service established in 1982, after Big D itself ceased to be a commercial station with live DJs. Set up by station founder James Dillon, Big D Automated consisted only of continuous music interspersed with a modest amount of adverts and robotic sounding station idents. Broadcasting on AM and FM, Big D Automated had petered out by the end of 1982.

The continuous music format was a concept ahead of its time, especially when considered in the light of widespread audio automation today. However, it was no match for the new large commercial operators that were well established in Dublin by 1982. This recording was made on 21^st February 1982 from 102 FM. Part 1 above runs from 1420 and Part 2 below from 1508.

Part 2 from 1508.

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

30th January 202329th January 2023

Drivetime on Big D

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This is a recording of the evening drivetime show on Dublin pirate Big D as it began to decline towards the end of 1981. Aidan Cooney is on air from the studios in South Richmond Street in the city centre and takes calls from listeners entering a quiz. The voice of the late Tony Allan is heard on some of the adverts, but commercials are relatively thin on the ground given the time of day. By this time, the Dublin radio market had been shaken up by the arrival of the larger and more professional Sunshine Radio and Radio Nova and the days of pioneering 1970s stations such as Big D were numbered. The station would be relaunched as Big D Automated in 1982, playing continuous music only, but it was gone by the end of the year.

The recording was made on 21^st September 1981 from 1116 kHz, announced as 273 metres. Part 1 above runs from 1747-1832 and Part 2 below from 1840-1925.

Part 2 from 1840.

Audio quality is fair with variable levels and increasing co-channel interference as darkness falls. Our tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

23rd January 202319th January 2023

Launch of new Dublin super-pirate Q102

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These recordings are of the launch of the new Dublin super-pirate Q102, that began broadcasting on Wednesday 23^rd January 1985. The station shook up the competitive Dublin radio market, offering another professional music-based station for listeners and introducing innovative features such as Eye in the Sky, traffic news reported from a helicopter flying over the city. The first recording above starts at 1613 and is of the countdown to the launch, featuring continuous music and promos. The second part below is from 1701.

Part 2 from 1701.

The next recordings begin at 1850 and include the official launch at 1900 with a Cold War-style promo voiced by Lawrence John, one of the original station founders. He is followed by Jason Maine until 2000 and then John Kenny with the night-time show. There are some comedy-style commercials but no actual advertisements.

Part 3 from 1850 including launch.

Part 4 from 1935.

The next recording begins at 2018 and includes more of John Kenny’s programme. The cassette was damaged and only the first 40 minutes has been digitised.

Part 5 from 2018.

The final recording begins at 2302 and features John Kenny with a more relaxed late night sound.

Part 6 from 2302.

These recordings were all made from 102 FM and are from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. The first 90 minutes of Q102, including the launch, were recorded originally by Kieran Murray. Q102 closed down on 30^th December 1988 at 1800.

20th January 202319th January 2023

Second night on Nova replacement Zoom 103

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Zoom 103 was a short-lived replacement for Dublin super-pirate Radio Nova after it went into receivership and closed on 19^th March 1986. Zoom began identifying itself shortly after 10pm that evening and the following day’s programming featured the normal Nova presenters but without an AM service. Nova founder Chris Cary denied any involvement in the new station and said he was leaving Ireland. Zoom 103 was based at 144 Upper Leeson Street in the city centre but lasted only until 24^th March, when the Nova receiver seized the transmitter. On 28^th March, a new station called Energy 103 began broadcasting from the same location, continuing until 11^th March 1988.

This recording of Zoom 103 features Richard Jackson with a late night show on the second day of the station. There are very few commercials and no jingles or idents, but listeners are reportedly hearing the station as far away as Belfast and Blackpool. Our tape was made on 20^th and 21^st March 1986 from 103.1 FM. Part 1 above is from 2246 and Part 2 below from 2359.

Part 2 from 2359.

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

5th January 20235th January 2023

First birthday of Q102

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This recording of Dublin super-pirate Q102 was made on its first birthday, 23^rd January 1986, by which time it was established as one of Dublin’s big three pirate stations. The tape begins with one of the station’s most popular DJs, Jason Maine, who is followed by Gerry Stevens with the afternoon drive. In keeping with the Q102 format, talk is limited and links are short, with the focus firmly on the music. Adverts for local businesses and larger brands are aired.

Part 1 above runs from 1407-1455 and Part 2 below from 1502-1548.

Part 2 from 1502.

The recording was made from 103.5 FM and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.