Saturday on Boyneside Radio

Saturday on Boyneside Radio
Boyneside’s FM mast near the border in 1987 (courtesy Andy Carter).

This is a sample of a Saturday on Boyneside from 1986, giving a sense of the variety of programming heard on the popular Co. Louth station. Made on 4th October, part 1 above begins with Jim Agnew’s breakfast programme, followed by the Green Scene Irish music show presented by Eddie Caffrey. There are the usual cards and letters from all over the northeast and as far afield as Belfast and Liverpool, reflecting the wide coverage of Boyneside and the show’s popularity. Before signing off, Eddie announces that the Green Scene will be heard again on repeat from midnight. The recording also includes Saturday Old Gold with Dave C.

Saturday on Boyneside Radio
Cassette label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

Part 2 below includes the Top 40 with Ian Scott, Radio Bingo with Dermot Finglas and the Angelus at 6pm. This is followed by Country Time with Seán Neilon and Night Time Music with Michael Gerrard. News is read by Gerry Malone and includes a full bulletin at 1pm.

Part 2 of the recording from 1700.

These recordings were made originally by Kieran Murray from Boyneside’s Dublin transmitter on 105.5 FM. They are from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. More material from this collection can be heard on Radiowaves and the Irish Pirate Radio Archive.

Northeast series: Michael Gerrard of Boyneside Radio

Northeast series: Michael Gerrard of Boyneside Radio
Michael Gerrard in the early days of LMFM where he still presents a show today.

Michael Gerrard was a well-known voice on late-night Boyneside Radio in the station’s later years and gained a large following on his Radio Romance and Night-Time Music slots. Like so many pirate presenters, Michael joined Boyneside when just a teenager and in this interview with John Walsh, he shares his memories of the station with us. After 1989, he went on to work with the local licensed station LMFM.

We also thank Michael for sharing with us two of his final recordings in the run-up to the closedown of Boyneside on 31th December 1988. The first is an aircheck of the final Night-Time Music show on 23rd December.

The second features the final half-hour of Michael’s programme on Friday 30th December 1988, the penultimate day of broadcasting. Some of this has been airchecked.

Both recordings include a farewell message for Boyneside listeners voiced by Eddie Caffrey.