Tony Allan interviewed at Sunshine Radio

Tony Allan interviewed at Sunshine Radio
Early Sunshine Radio crew from 1980 with Tony Allan in the centre at the top (courtesy Pat Herbert).

Tony Allan (RIP) was one of the most iconic voices of Irish pirate radio in the 1970s and 1980s. He presented on many larger stations and was heard doing voiceovers on countless other pirates throughout the country. In this recording, he is interviewed by Kieran Murray of the Free Radio Campaign Ireland outside the Sands Hotel in Portmarnock in north Co. Dublin, where Sunshine Radio was located. The station had started broadcasting less than two months previously on 29th September 1980, its launch delayed by the sabotaging of its aerial, allegedly by a rival Dublin pirate. Tony refuses to speculate about the incident and instead emphasises the professionalism of Sunshine in contrast to existing Dublin stations. He also talks about his background in the offshore station Radio Caroline.

The interview was conducted on 16th November 1980 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Lunchtime on Liberty Radio

Lunchtime on Liberty Radio
Liberty 104 compliments slips (courtesy DX Archive).

Liberty Radio, also known as Liberty 104, was established as a serious player in the tight Dublin market by the beginning of 1988. Launched as Liberties Local Community Radio in spring 1986, the station moved away from its community focus and began a more commercial operation. This recording from the end of 1987 includes plenty of adverts in the pre-Christmas rush, including one for Prendergast Aerials, a company owned by station boss Sammy Prendergast. Of interest is a promo for a Christmas toy appeal in association with Fr Michael Cleary, a Catholic priest who broadcast on various pirate stations.

Lunchtime on Liberty Radio
Original cassette inlay from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The cassette inlay lists the DJ as Ian Scott, formerly of Boyneside Radio in Drogheda but the presenter is in fact Mark Grace. News is read by Kieran Murray, who also worked previously with Boyneside and Radio Carousel. The recording was made on Thursday 3rd December 1987 from 104.35 FM from 1123-1300 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

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.

Radio Carousel reports on Bisto Soapbox Derby

Radio Carousel reports on Bisto Soapbox Derby
Undated photo of Dunleer Soapbox Derby (source: Dunleer Parish on Facebook).

Soapbox derby competitions began in the United States in the 1930s and were revived in Ireland in the 1980s where they are often known as go-karting. The All-Ireland Soapbox Derby was held in Dunleer, Co. Louth in 1982 and sponsored by gravy company Bisto. Dundalk pirate station Radio Carousel was at the event and broadcast a special half-hour programme in the Carousel Tonight slot on Monday 16th August. Presented by Kieran Murray, the programme consisted of interviews with organisers and participants at the event, including with local TD Bernard Markey and a representative of Bisto. As the pirates gained listeners during the 1980s, political parties attempted to prevent elected representatives from being interviewed on the pirates but politicians knew that they would gain publicity if heard on their local station.

Radio Carousel reports on Bisto Soapbox Derby
Kieran Murray in the Radio Carousel studio in Dundalk (courtesy of Kieran).

This is a studio copy of the programme provided by Kieran Murray. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. Watch an RTÉ television report on the same event here.

Northeast series: Early afternoon on Boyneside Radio

Northeast series: Early afternoon on Boyneside Radio
Boyneside studio with unidentified DJ, 1986 (courtesy Andy Carter).

This recording of popular northeast station Boyneside Radio was recorded from its Dublin FM relay in autumn 1986. From the main studio in Drogheda, the late Dave C. (Cunningham) presents his lunchtime programme, including the buy-and-sell slot Tradio and listener’s requests in the People’s Choice. He is followed by the Golden Hour with Kieran Murray, who is standing in for one of Boyneside’s founders, Heady Eddie (Eddie Caffrey).

Northeast series: Early afternoon on Boyneside Radio
Original cassette label (note that correct second DJ is Kieran Murray and not Heady Eddie).

Adverts for businesses in Counties Louth, Meath and Down are voiced by various Boyneside DJs and presenters including Kieran Murray, Eddie Caffrey, Dave C., Dermot Finglas and Mike Ahern (Richard McCullen). Main lunchtime news at 1.15pm, including local news and sport, is read by newsroom stalwarts Mike Ahern and Áine Ní Ghuidhir.

Part 1 above runs from 1304-1352 and Part 2 below from 1352-1440.

Part 2 froom 1352.

The tape was recorded from 105.5 FM on 15th September 1986 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.