Gerry Lang (Gerry Stevens) Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

29th April 202629th April 2026

Test of Radio Dublin Channel 2 and station launch

Radio Dublin Channel 2 was the first such offshoot service by an Irish pirate station, operating initially at weekends and then on a more full-time basis in parallel with the main station. Offering specialist output such as a rock show, country show and student programme, it was an alternative to the chart music focus of the original Channel 1, which continued to broadcast on 1188 kHz (253 metres). Channel 2 was initially on FM only but in recognition of the limited reach of that band at the time, soon added its own AM channel. One of the highlights of the Channel 2 service was the weekly FRC show presented by Gerard Roe, which updated anoraks about the pirate radio scene at home and abroad.

This recording begins with the first test broadcast of Radio Dublin Channel 2 on Saturday 26^th April 1980, with John Everest on 90.2 MHz FM, while Kevin Barrett continues on medium wave. The airchecked recording switches back and forth between AM and FM in the course of the evening, and John Everest announces that the official launch will take place the following weekend. Kevin Barrett says Radio Dublin is making history in local radio in Ireland, being the only station with two separate channels. However there are plenty of teething problems during the Channel 2 test, and a link-up between the two channels is barely audible.

The test transmission is followed by the launch of Channel 2 a week later which begins with a few words from station owner Eamonn Cooke, followed by Martin Cullinane, who would later use the name Bob Conway on RTÉ 2FM. Teething problems continue with variable audio and bleed-through from Channel 1, which was a perennial problem on the parallel services. The airchecked recording begins shortly after 1600 and continues until the inaugural broadcast finishes at 1800. There is some uncertainty over the date of the launch due to confusing information on the cassette label, but it appears to have been on Saturday 3^rd May 1980. The recording ends with the familiar Radio Dublin signature tune and jingles. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.

Radio Dublin closed down permanently in 2002 following Eamonn Cooke’s conviction for sexually abusing children. He was jailed in 2003 and again in 2007 and died in 2016 while on temporary release. If you require support with this issue, you can contact the organisation One in Four.

4th July 202521st July 2025

Sunday afternoon on Wicklow Community Radio

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Wicklow Community Radio began as a temporary festival station in the summer of 1982, but due to its success soon became a full-time operation. In 1985, it changed its name to Wicklow Local Community Broadcasting (WLCB) and in 1987 it was relaunched as Viking 105, with a more commercial focus.

This recording begins with the Top 30 countdown and the number 1 record, presented by Gerry Lang. This is followed by Willie Naughton’s Sunday Special show featuring album tracks. Voices on adverts include those of Scott Williams and David Harvey, both of whom would become big names on 1980s pirate radio and who continue to work in the media industry to this day. An announcement of a festival in east Wicklow includes a reference to the popular Radio Nova disco roadshow! The station signs off for the night with a bilingual announcement at 1900.

This airchecked recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 1512 kHz AM, announcing 198 metres, on Sunday 4^th September 1983 between 1700-1900.

11th September 202422nd September 2024

Gerry Stevens on Energy 103 lunchtime

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Energy 103 was one of the most successful Dublin stations at the end of the pirate era, broadcasting from April 1986 until March 1988. This recording is of a familiar voice on Energy, Gerry Stevens (Lang) with a lunchtime show in the summer of 1986. There are the usual high-level adverts for larger businesses and brands and the slick Energy jingles. News is read by Dave Johnson (Andrew Hanlon) and George Long (Henry O’Donovan, RIP). The daily news quiz attracts many callers during lunch hour.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103 FM on Wednesday 23^rd July 1986 from 1244-1420. Energy 103 also broadcast on 738 kHz AM.

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.

14th December 202213th December 2022

Gerry Stevens on Q102

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The Dublin super-pirate Q102 ended 1985 on a high after a successful first year of broadcasting. The station prided itself on being Irish-owned in contrast with the city’s other two big pirates, Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio. This recording is of Gerry Stevens on his drivetime show in November 1985. News on the hour is read by Anne Cassin. Gerry Stevens worked subsequently in the licensed Dublin station Q102, which was launched as Lite FM in 2000. Anne Cassin is a television presenter with RTÉ.

Our tape was made from 102.1 FM from 1635-1708 on 27^th November 1985. There is some wobble due to the age of the cassette. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.