Midnight Megamix and All-Night Sunshine on Sunshine Radio

Midnight Megamix and All-Night Sunshine on Sunshine Radio
Original Sands Hotel logo from 1980s (courtesy Maria Ginty).

Sunshine Radio (1980-1988) was located in the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock, which also housed the popular Tamango’s nightclub. Adverts for the club were heard on Sunshine and the station regularly broadcast from there. First up in this recording is Jim Kenny with the end of his weekly Midnight Megamix live from Tamango’s. News at 0200 is read by Stephen Plunkett, who is followed by Barry (Éamon) Falvey, with All-Night Sunshine.

The recording was made from 101.5 FM on Saturday 17th August 1985 between 0135-0220 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Solid Gold Sunday on Q102

Solid Gold Sunday on Q102
Advert for Jason Maine in the Sunday World in 1986 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Solid Gold Sunday was a weekly show presented by popular DJ Jason Maine on Dublin station Q102 in the 1980s. This recording of the programme was made between Christmas and New Year 1987 and includes the usual mix of oldies along with Jason’s characteristic relaxed style. There’s also a promo for a show featuring the Top 40 of 1987, that will air during the festive season.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 102 FM between 1203-1249 on Sunday 27th December 1987.

Final Bee Bop Gold of 1987

Final Bee Bop Gold of 1987
1988 advert for Bee Bop Gold in the Sunday World (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Bee Bop Gold was a hugely popular oldies show on Dublin pirate Sunshine 101 hosted by Nails Mahoney in the final part of the station’s 8-year period on air. This edition is the final such show of 1987 and features the customary mixture of oldies and short links. Sunshine was Dublin’s most popular pirate station by this time following a rebranding the previous year, but the new super-slick presentation style was formatted to within an inch of its life. This recording includes a promo for a £20,000 giveaway to a listener who could repeat the phrase ‘I listen to the red-hot sound of Sunshine 101’.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 100.5 FM between 0943-1029 on Sunday 27th December 1987 from 0943-1029.

Operation Novacare a few days before the Nova raid

Operation Novacare a few days before the Nova raid
Operation Novacare flyer (Anoraks Ireland Collection)

Operation Novacare was one of various charity events organised by large Dublin pirate Radio Nova over its five years on air. Novacare 1983 consisted of an on-air auction of items donated by sponsors in aid of disability organisation the Irish Rehabilitation Institute (now Rehab). The aim was to buy a new minibus for the Institute. This recording features several Nova DJs and presenters such as Tony Garreth (Gareth O’Callaghan), Tom Hardy (RIP), Scott Williams, Bob Gallico (RIP), Greg Gaughren, Declan Meehan, Sybil Fennell, Colm Hayes and station owner Chris Cary (RIP). News is read by Bryan Dobson, who went on to a long career as a journalist with RTÉ.

Operation Novacare a few days before the Nova raid
More of the Novacare flyer (Anoraks Ireland Collection)

The recording was made from 88.2 FM between 1404-1537 on Saturday 14th May 1983. Four days later, Nova was raided by Gardaí and officials from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. The tape is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated to us by Steve England.

Early evening shows on Radio Leinster

Early evening shows on Radio Leinster
Radio Leinster studios in 1982 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

This recording of Dublin pirate Radio Leinster was made just over a fortnight before the station closed down suddenly in May 1983. On air is station manager Justin James on the Bumper to Bumper drivetime show with the usual easy-listening, MOR and folk music associated with the station. Justin also has a television preview, traffic reports, sports headlines and a what’s on guide, and news is read by Al Dunne. Adverts are heard for businesses in and around Dublin, including some for larger businesses and brands. Justin is followed by Anna Craig (Chisnall) with the Classical Spot, an example of some of the specialist shows on this innovative and pioneering station.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 93 FM on Monday 2nd May 1983 between 1736-1908. Radio Leinster closed down on 19th May 1983, following raids on the larger pirates Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio.