Dublin Archives - Page 74 of 84 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

6th May 20206th August 2021

Full recording: Double R Radio (Dublin)

Double R Radio was an earlier incarnation of Westside Radio, one of the smaller Dublin pirates of the early 1980s. The origin of the Double R name has never quite been clarified. Ian Biggar reports that he has heard Railway Road, Radio Ripple and RocknRoll from various sources. Short Wave News from November 1981 reports Double R Radio on 1035 kHz from the Waldorf Hotel, Eden Quay with a 24 hour daily schedule. Short Wave News in January 1982 says Double R Radio has been evicted from the Waldorf Hotel and is now at the Spa Hotel, Lucan. Co. Dublin. The March 1982 edition states that Double R Radio is probably off the air now. The May 1982 edition says that Double R Radio has disappeared after being thrown out of various hotels, but a new operation, possibly related, is Westside Radio on the same frequency with an address in James’ Street.

This recording was made by DX Archive on a tour of Ireland in 1981. It was really strong around the Inchicore area of Dublin at that time so they assumed that was where it was coming from. Gary Hogg noted on his trip in April 1982 that Double R had been replaced by Westside Radio on 1035 kHz so we can safely say same station, different name. The recording, courtesy of Ian Biggar, is of Paul Cantwell followed by Declan George on the 14^th of August 1981 from 2030-2119.

4th May 20202nd May 2024

Treble TR Radio during 1983 raids

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Treble TR was Dublin’s country and Irish music station and broadcast from 1981 until the end of 1988 on 945 kHz and 99.5 FM. This recording is from the 18th of May 1983, the day of the Radio Nova raid when panic took root among pirates throughout the country. This recording (presenter unidentified) is of part of the Top 20 of country and Irish, a programme sponsored by none other than Nova Dry Cleaners! A barking dog also features but there is no mention of the Nova raid. Like many other stations, Treble TR closed temporarily the following day.

This recording from a noisy 945 kHz AM is from the Skywave Tapes Collection. Skywave Radio International broadcast a shortwave station in the 1980s from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin.

2nd May 202010th December 2023

Pop and requests on Royal Dublin Community Radio

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The little-known Royal Dublin Community Radio was a small station broadcasting from the north inner-city of Dublin in 1983. It may have been linked to the second Dublin Community Radio which began broadcasting in 1984 and in turn became KISS FM based in Dublin’s Foley Street in 1985 and 1986. This recording was made from 105.5 FM on 15^th October 1983 from 1315-1400. The presenter is Brian Jackson and the format consists of pop and requests. There is a competition to win a 7-inch single and passes for Barbarella’s nightclub, a popular venue in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is unclear why the adjective ‘royal’ was used in the station title, particularly given the political context of the time.

This recording is from the Skywave Tapes Collection. Skywave Radio International broadcast a shortwave station in the 1980s from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin.

26th April 20207th August 2021

Full recording: Metro Radio (Dublin)

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Metro Radio was a short-lived station based in Dublin in 1983. There’s very little information available about it, but Anoraks UK reported that Metro began broadcasting on the 31st of May 1983 from Clontarf on the northside of Dublin and was seeking advertisers within a few weeks. It was on 1557 kHz (announced as 192 metres), the same frequency as another irregular pirate from this period, Diamond Radio. According to Anoraks UK there was no trace of Metro Radio by the end of 1983 and Diamond returned to 1557 in 1984. It is not known if the two stations were linked.

The recording begins at 6.50pm on the 19th of October 1983. The format is a mixture of pop and soul and the presenter from 7pm is Barry Nevin, aka Maurice Nevin (RIP) who worked in many other stations during the 1980s. This recording is from the Skywave Tapes Collection. Skywave Radio International broadcast a shortwave station in the 1980s from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin.

24th April 20206th August 2021

Advert: Tamango Nightclub

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One of the most advertised nightclubs in Ireland, Tamango’s was at the Sands Hotel Portmarnock. This was also the home of Sunshine Radio.

This advert dates to when Sunshine was new and on 91.6 MHz. The voice on the advert is DJ Lee (but was previously listed incorrectly as Tony Prince.)