Greg Gaughran Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

30th January 202624th January 2026

Operation Novacare a few days before the Nova raid

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.

The recording was made from 88.2 FM between 1404-1537 on Saturday 14^th 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.

22nd May 202412th May 2024

Breakfast show traffic reports on Q102

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One of the stand-out features of Dublin super-pirate Q102 was its live traffic reports every morning from a helicopter flying over the city. The Eye in the Sky service was presented by general manager Mike Hogan from the skies above Dublin and quickly became the go-to place for up-to-date traffic information. In this excerpt from the breakfast show in spring 1986, DJ Greg Gaughren chats to Mike Hogan who is grounded due to helicopter maintenance but nonetheless phones in traffic reports from his car. Greg is joined in studio by another familiar voice, Martin Block. News at 2 minutes to the hour is read by Bryan Jennings and Scott Williams then takes over in the mid-morning slot. All presenters went on to have careers in licensed independent radio or RTÉ.

This recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103.5 FM on 27^th March 1986 between 0817-0905. The tape was made during an interesting period in the Dublin radio scene, as the city’s biggest station Radio Nova had closed down just over a week previously. Another month would pass before Nova’s successful successor station, Energy 103, hit the airwaves.

13th March 20249th March 2024

Sunday morning shows on Radio Nova

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This recording of Dublin super-pirate Radio Nova was made in the winter of 1983, six months after the raids that put it and the other main Dublin station Sunshine Radio off the air temporarily. By this time, Nova had resumed high-powered AM broadcasting on 819 kHz after equipment seized in the raid was returned following a court case. This gave it greater penetration into the west coast of Britain, an area that would be included in its weather forecasts to reflect the expanded listening area. The recording begins with the final few minutes of the religious programme Life is a Celebration, followed by news read by David Malone. Next up is Greg Gaughren, who continues to broadcast on the licensed Radio Nova in Dublin to this day. Commercial breaks include the usual mix of larger businesses and brands, reflecting Nova’s strong commercial success.

The tape was made near Birmingham from 0950-1030 on Sunday 27^th November 1983 from 819 kHz AM. It is from the Leon Tipler Collection, donated to us by Steve England.

20th June 202318th June 2023

Q102 outside broadcast from Dublin city centre

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Q102 logo from 1987 (Alan MacSimoin collection).

By summer 1987 after more than two years on air, Q102 was well established as one of the leading pirate radio stations in Dublin and Ireland. It and other super-pirates repeatedly pushed the boundaries in terms of content, standards and technology and this tape is a good example of the high levels of professionalism attained by the bigger stations towards the end of the 1980s pirate era.

Q102 outside broadcast from Dublin city centre — Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The recording features an outside broadcast by Q102 from the Switzer’s department store during the Midsummer Madness party taking place there. There are vox pops with shoppers and kids on Grafton Street, some of whom have just finished school exams, £5 gift vouchers and ice creams are given away as prizes. The OB features various presenters including Mickey Joe, Scott Williams, Mike Hogan, Dave Kelly, Greg Gaughren, Martin Block and Anne Cassin. The usual agency ads are heard and there is a competition for tickets for the iconic U2 concert in Croke Park on June 28^th. News at 3 minutes to the hour is read by Maura O’Neill.

The tape was made from 102.1 FM on Saturday 20^th June 1987. Part 1 above runs from 1342-1430 and Part 2 below from 1430-1518.

Part 2 from 1430

At this time Q102 also broadcast on 819 kHz AM and 103.5 FM. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

29th May 202327th May 2023

Dublin stations ARD and Big D in 1978

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In 1978, the Dublin pirate radio scene took off in earnest as what were previously sporadic or part-time stations moved to full schedules and developed a more professional sound. This recording features Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) and the Big D, two stations that emerged from splits from the original Radio Dublin. First up is Big D founder James Dillon with plenty of requests of the ‘madly in love’ variety, live-read adverts and a promo for the Big D roadshow. Fellow DJ John Paul’s sung jingles and the voice of Denis Murray are also heard. 11 Chapel Lane is the postal address and the wavelength announced is 273 metres.

The dial is then changed to 257 metres and to the end of Greg Gaughren’s show on ARD. Greg is standing in for Ronan Collins in the afternoon slot. News at the top of the hour is read by Dave C. (RIP) and sponsored by the Sunday World newspaper. This is followed by Jason Maine with Tuesday’s Maineline Music Programme. The ARD segment in particular is noteworthy for its professionalism, a reminder that some pirates were providing a high-quality service long before the arrival of the likes of Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio into the Irish market.

The recording was made from 1530-1630 sometime in October 1978. It is kindly donated by Ian Biggar.