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Sunday afternoon on Wicklow Community Radio

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Sunday afternoon on Wicklow Community Radio
WCR studios at Wentworth Place in Wicklow Town in 1983 (courtesy DX Archive).

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 4th September 1983 between 1700-1900.

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Gerry Stevens on Energy 103 lunchtime

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Gerry Stevens on Energy 103 lunchtime
Energy studios in 144 Upper Leeson St in 1986 (courtesy Andy Carter)

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.

Gerry Stevens on Energy 103 lunchtime
George Long (Henry O’Donovan, RIP) (courtesy Seán McCarthy)

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

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First birthday of Q102

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First birthday of Q102
Q102 Sunday World advert from 1986 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

This recording of Dublin super-pirate Q102 was made on its first birthday, 23rd 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.

First birthday of Q102
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

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.

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Gerry Stevens on Q102

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Gerry Stevens on Q102
Q102 studio shot from 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

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.

Gerry Stevens on Q102
Q102 logo in the studio in 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Our tape was made from 102.1 FM from 1635-1708 on 27th 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.