James Dillon Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

29th May 202327th May 2023

Dublin stations ARD and Big D in 1978

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.

1st October 202230th September 2022

James Dillon in the early days of Big D

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This is a recording of the founder of Big D, James Dillon, in the early days of the station in May 1978. The Big D song by fellow DJ John Paul is heard, as is the station’s former theme tune, Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, James explaining that it was used on test transmissions. There are requests for listeners around the city, a live-read advert and a promo for a classical music show on Sunday morning.

We have no times for the recording but an edit is heard near the start. It was made from 1115 kHz (announcing 273 metres) by Alan Hilton, presumably in Co. Wicklow. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.

28th September 202224th September 2022

James Dillon on Big D at Christmas 1980

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This recording is of Big D founder James Dillon on air over the Christmas holidays 1980. James gives racing tips for the fixture at Leopardstown later in the day and thanks listeners for Christmas gifts. There’s a promo for a mystery sound competition later in which listeners can win an LP. Audio is variable on adverts and there is some distortion on the links.

Within a year, the Big D was in terminal decline as more professional stations came to dominate the Dublin scene. An attempt to relaunch as Big D Automated in 1982 was unsuccessful. The recording was made between 1208-1255 on 29^th December 1980 from 98.2 FM. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

20th June 202222nd June 2022

A day on Radio Dublin from 1978

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This unique recording is of an entire day’s programming on Radio Dublin from Monday 20^th February 1978, including some DJs who would go on to become household names on local and national radio. Starting just after 8am, DJ Sarge comments on the cold weather and heavy snow outside. He is followed at 9.30 by Gerry Campbell and at 1pm by James Dillon. DJ Sylvie takes over at 4pm and the Mike Eastwood request show begins at 6pm. Denis Murray is on from 8-10pm and the night’s programming is completed by John Clarke from 10pm until midnight.

Radio Dublin had been broadcasting continuously since January 1978 and built up a loyal listenership across Dublin. This recording contains plenty of ads, some pre-recorded and some read live by DJs, and various segments of the day are sponsored by different businesses. The station’s iconic ‘253’ jingles are heard regularly also, an early branding exercise by Irish pirate radio. A separate recording of part of the James Dillon show, undated but also from February 1978, is heard below.

James Dillon show from February 1978.

Two months later, James Dillon led a walk-out of most Radio Dublin staff following allegations that station owner Eamonn Cooke was involved in child abuse. Dillon formed a breakaway station, the Big D, which lasted until 1982. Radio Dublin closed down permanently in 2002 following 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.

This recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

30th December 202131st December 2021

Radio Dublin rings in New Year 1978

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Radio Dublin was the only Irish station to ring in the New Year at midnight on Saturday 31^st December 1977. The Evening Herald reported that RTÉ Radio had to scrap its planned New Year’s Eve special programme, to be presented by Pat Kenny, because of an industrial relations dispute. The state broadcaster would close down at 11.45pm, leaving the airwaves to Radio Dublin. This was an important period for the pirates as it marked the shift from hobby to full-time broadcasting. Radio Dublin stayed on air for 300 hours over the Christmas and New Year period 1977-1978 and began full-time daily broadcasting on 2^nd January 1978.

This recording is of Radio Dublin staff saying farewell to 1977 and ringing in 1978. Running from 2312-0040, it features station owner Eamonn Cooke along with DJs John Paul, Shay West, DJ Sylvie, Mike Eastwood and James Dillon. There are plenty of requests from listeners and thanks to businesses for advertising with the station during the year. At midnight a recording of bells is almost scuppered by a faulty cassette tape. This is followed by the DJs singing Auld Land Syne and a message from the Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Michael Collins. Eamonn Cooke urges listeners to lobby the government for a licence for Radio Dublin and also thanks Prince Terry (Roger Lloyd) for relaying the broadcast on the shortwave frequency of Westside Radio International. This recording was made locally but there is some night-time co-channel interference and that characteristic Radio Dublin hum throughout. We thank Ian Biggar for the donation.

However, the exuberance of New Year’s Eve did not last and in April James Dillon led a walk-out of most staff following allegations that Eamonn Cooke was involved in child abuse. Dillon formed a breakaway station, the Big D, which lasted until 1982. Radio Dublin closed down permanently in 2002 following 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.