Northeast series: Afternoon shows on Boyneside Radio

Northeast series: Afternoon shows on Boyneside Radio
Eddie Caffrey in the Boyneside studio in 1986 (photo courtesy of Eddie).

By the mid-1980s Boyneside Radio was calling itself the ‘biggest regional radio station in Ireland’ and could be heard over a large area from Dublin to Belfast. From humble origins in Drogheda, Boyneside developed into a network of stations in Counties Meath and Louth, including a Northern service based in Carrickcarnon right on the border. This recording from 1986 features two well-known DJs presenting early afternoon shows. First up is Kieran Murray with the end of the People’s Choice requests programme. He is followed by one of the station’s founders Eddie Caffrey with Afternoon Delight and the Golden Hour. There are plenty of local adverts in the busy pre-Christmas period.

Northeast series: Afternoon shows on Boyneside Radio
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The recording was made between 1350 and 1438 on 25th November 1986 from Boyneside’s Dublin FM relay transmitter on 105.5 FM. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

‘Media Network’ on Radio Rainbow International

'Media Network' on Radio Rainbow International
Radio Rainbow International’s shortwave transmitter (courtesy Kieran Murray).

‘Media Network’ was a weekly radio programme broadcast on the international service Radio Netherlands Worldwide from the early 1980s until 2000. Produced and presented by Jonathan Marks, it covered various aspects of communication and broadcasting. Radio Netherlands Worldwide stopped broadcasting in 2012 after its budgets were slashed.

This 1988 edition of ‘Media Network’ features the Irish pirate radio scene as it was about to be regulated by new broadcasting legislation. It includes interviews with Eddie Caffrey about his Louth stations Boyneside Radio and Radio Rainbow International, and with the late Peter Madison who was heard on various pirates in the 1980s. Radio Nova’s satellite broadcasts from the UK are also covered on the show.

This programme was recorded on 6th November 1988 from Radio Rainbow International on 6240 kHz shortwave. Reception is fair to good, with some fading. The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Saturday on Boyneside Radio

Saturday on Boyneside Radio
Boyneside’s FM mast near the border in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).

This is a sample of a Saturday on Boyneside from 1986, giving a sense of the variety of programming heard on the popular Co. Louth station. Made on 4th October, part 1 above begins with Jim Agnew’s breakfast programme, followed by the Green Scene Irish music show presented by Eddie Caffrey. There are the usual cards and letters from all over the northeast and as far afield as Belfast and Liverpool, reflecting the wide coverage of Boyneside and the show’s popularity. Before signing off, Eddie announces that the Green Scene will be heard again on repeat from midnight. The recording also includes Saturday Old Gold with Dave C.

Saturday on Boyneside Radio
Cassette label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Part 2 below includes the Top 40 with Ian Scott, Radio Bingo with Dermot Finglas and the Angelus at 6pm. This is followed by Country Time with Seán Neilon and Night Time Music with Michael Gerrard. News is read by Gerry Malone and includes a full bulletin at 1pm.

Part 2 of the recording from 1700.

These recordings were made originally by Kieran Murray from Boyneside’s Dublin transmitter on 105.5 FM. They are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. More material from this collection can be heard on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.

More of Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio

More of Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio
Eddie Caffrey in 1986 (courtesy of Eddie).

This is a continuation of a recording of an edition of Eddie Caffrey’s Afternoon Delight show on Boyneside Radio from Drogheda, Co. Louth in 1986. The recording was made from 99.1 FM in stereo on 28th April from 1530-1705. There are requests from both sides of the border and ongoing violence in the North features in the news bulletins, read by Áine Ní Ghuidhir.

More of Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio
Cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection

Part 1 of the recording above runs from 1530-1615 and part 2 below from 1620-1705 with the last news bulletin airchecked.

Part 2 of the recording

Both are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. Further material from this collection is available on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.

Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio

Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio
Boyneside flyer (courtesy Ian Biggar).

This is a recording of daytime programming on Boyneside Radio from Drogheda in 1986. Made on Monday 28th April from 99.1 FM, it begins with the end of Dave C’s lunchtime show, followed by Eddie Caffrey with Afternoon Delight from 2pm. Eddie’s show contains the Golden Hour, racing results, the Take 5 quiz and Boyneside’s birthday bubble. News at 3pm is read by Áine Ní Ghuidhir.

Afternoon Delight on Boyneside Radio
Cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection

The first part of the recording above runs from 1345-1341 and the second below from 1437-1523.

Part 2 of the recording

Both are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. Further material from this collection is available on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.