Early Cork series: Radio City Top 30 with Noel Evans

Early Cork series: Radio City Top 30 with Noel Evans
Noel Evans at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This is recording of the weekly Top 30 show on early Cork pirate Radio City. The DJ is Noel Evans (Welch) and the programme was recorded from a new FM frequency of 88.4 MHz. It is partially airchecked and was made from between 1755-1900 on Wednesday 20th May 1981. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

Early Cork series: Radio City welcomes summer 1981

Early Cork series: Radio City welcomes summer 1981
Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) with Alan Edwards in 1981 (photo courtesy of Lilian).

This recording contains excerpts of shows by various DJs on Cork pirate Radio City in early summer 1981. First up is Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan), who hands over to Alan Edwards on his weekly Saturday evening slot. We hear most of Alan’s show, which includes a letter from Radio City super-fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue). This is followed by more clips of Carl Johnson and Noel Evans (Welch), including one from the day of the general election, 11th May 1981.   

The bulk of the recording was made from 95.5 FM from around 1700 on Saturday 2nd May 1981 but contains a number of edits. Radio City also broadcast on 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, but its AM channel was off air at the time. Audio quality is fair with some cassette wobble and distortion. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

Early Cork series: The Homerun on Radio City

Early Cork series: The Homerun on Radio City
Noel Evans at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City feastures Noel Evans (Welch) on the daily Homerun programme. It includes traffic updates, a medical advice slot, a charity appeal from a local nun, adverts for local businesses around Cork and a competition. There’s also a letter from super-fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue), who donated this recording.

The tape was made between 1700-1730 on 2nd February 1981 from 95.5 FM.

Early Cork series: Saturday shows on Radio City

Early Cork series: Saturday shows on Radio City
John Ashford (John Buckley, RIP) at Radio City (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made on a Saturday in the winter of 1980 and gives a flavour of weekend programmes at the station. Kicking off is Ed Harris with the end of his Saturday breakfast show, who is followed by John Ashford (John Buckley, RIP) with Morning Beat. Next up are Pete Andrews (O’Neill) and Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with horoscopes to wind up Saturday Club at 1300, followed by Noel Evans (Welch) with the Saturday Sports Report. The last section is of an unidentified DJ presenting disco music.

The recording was made from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres on 1st November 1980 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

Early Cork series: evening shows on Radio City

Early Cork series: evening shows on Radio City
Paul Cassidy at Radio City in September 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

This is another recording of Cork pirate Radio City in the early months of its existence in autumn 1980. Most of the recording consists of Monday evening shows: Paul Cassidy with Travelling Through the 70s including a listeners’ quiz and Tony Allen (Walsh) with Jukebox Jive. These are followed by short snippets of daytime programmes: Pete Andrews (O’Neill) at lunchtime, Carl Johnson (Dan Noonan) with Afternoon Delights and Noel Evans (Welch) with Home Run.

The tape of Radio City was made on 6th and 7th October 1980 from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres. Audio quality is poor throughout due to rudimentary recording equipment. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.