Monaghan Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

26th April 202317th May 2023

Border series: religious shows on Radio Star Country

Radio Star Country is distinctive from the few pirates that venture on air these days in Ireland. As well as its longevity, it stands out for its musical style – Irish and American country and gospel music – and its daily religious content. The station was sold on by Gerry Byrne in 1992 and after three further changes of ownership was taken over by Dr Albert Chambers from Portadown in Co. Armagh, founder and director of religious organisation World Vision for Christ. A letter from WVFC to a Swedish DXer in 2006 referred to Radio Star Country as ‘our radio station in Ireland’ and said that, as well as playing country and gospel music, ‘the major programmes are the Christian broadcast messages given by pastors of various denominations’. Dr Chambers himself was listed as presenting programmes on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The Radio Star Country website lists daily religious programmes including Showers of Blessing, Let the Bible Speak, New Life in Christ and Foundations of Faith, the latter presented by Albert Chambers. World Vision for Christ is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, whose website states that its ‘aim is to promote Biblical Christianity’ by a number of means, including radio ministry. Its income increased from £57,000 in 2017 to £114,000 in 2021.

This recording begins with the 15-minute religious programme Let the Bible Speak presented by an evangelical minister from Co. Tyrone. It is followed by a music show with Patsy Jordan (McDonald, RIP) who reads out requests from over a wide area including Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Meath, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone. Long adverts for businesses in Monaghan, Armagh and Fermanagh are also heard. The tape was made in Troon in Scotland from 981 kHz from 1002-1048 on Monday 16^th May 2005. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation and for background information.

19th April 202317th May 2023

Border series: Radio Star Country bids farewell to 2004

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Monaghan station Radio Star Country was still going strong 16 years after the licensing of independent radio in Ireland. In this recording, Country Girl Claire shares New Year’s greetings from listeners in her final programme of 2004. Adverts are heard from north and south of the border, including as far away as Larne. There’s the first reference in this series to euro prices in the Republic and traffic and travel news is also broadcast. The date is significant because on New Year’s Eve 1988, the vast majority of Ireland’s pirates fell silent to comply with the new laws. Radio Star Country was one of the few that stayed on air.

The tape was made in Troon in Scotland from 981 kHz AM between 1302 and 1348 on 31^st December 2004. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.

14th April 202331st December 2023

Border series: Radio Star Country enters 2003

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This recording of Monaghan station Radio Star Country was made on New Year’s Day 2003. On air is Country Girl Claire with requests and dedications phoned in to a Monaghan number. An advertising promo includes numbers for sales representatives in the North and there are plenty of adverts from both sides of the border, including for country music stars. News from IRN is heard on the hour and the tape finishes with the Wednesday morning gospel programme, evidence of the station’s religious backing.

This recording was recorded in Scotland on 981 kHz AM from 0903-1003 on 1^st January 2003 and suffers from electrical interference at times. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.

5th April 202310th March 2024

Border series: Radio Star Country promotes country artists

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An important aspect of pirate radio history is how rural stations often supported country music artists from their own areas and advertised or organised local musical gigs and concerts. Pirate personalities often appeared at such events as DJs or comperes, underlining the symbiotic relationship between unlicensed radio and the live music industry. A recording of Monaghan station Radio Star Country from St. Patrick’s Day 2002 contains evidence of this dynamic. There are plenty of adverts for country gigs taking place in pubs and hotels in the mid-Ulster area, including one in Armagh where DJ Carol G. is to appear later that evening.

The recording contains plenty of requests from listeners and there is a competition for tickets to a country and gospel show. Adverts are heard from Armagh, Antrim and Monaghan. The tape was made in Scotland from 981 kHz on 17^th March 2002 from 1025-1100 and is donated kindly by Ian Biggar.

29th March 202317th May 2023

Border series: Radio Star Country in the new millennium

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More than a decade after the new broadcasting laws came into effect, pirate radio continued to be heard across Ireland, although not on the scale of the 1980s. The Monaghan pirate Radio Star Country was among those stations that carried on broadcasting into the new millennium, continuing to attract listeners and advertisers on both sides of the border. In this recording from 2001, there are plenty of commercial breaks and requests from Belfast, Down and Derry as well as nearer to home. An advertising promo gives a number in the North and news from IRN in Britain refers to the foot and mouth crisis that was raging at the time. There is evidence of increased religious influence on Radio Star Country with gospel and religious music, notices for religious businesses and a guide to daily gospel programmes including one by station owner Albert Chambers.

This recording was made from 981 kHz in Scotland on 24^th October 2001 from 1105-1205. The DJ is the late Patsy Jordan (McDonald). Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation.