Pat O'Rourke Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

14th April 202614th April 2026

Early Cork series: summer Saturday on Radio City

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features Pat O’Rourke (Smurf) on a Saturday morning in summer 1981, followed by the start of Paul Cassidy’s show. The recording begins around 1020 but is partially airchecked. Paul announces 189 metres (1584 kHz) but this is likely to be a mistake as there is no log of Radio City on that frequency although by July 1981 it had moved to 1243 kHz, announcing 240 metres. The second half features Jamie Roberts with his Midnight Serenade show.

The tape was made from 88.4 FM on 13^th June 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

25th December 20252nd December 2025

Early Cork series: More Christmas Day on Radio City

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This additional recording from Christmas Day 1980 on Cork pirate Radio City features popular DJ Pat ‘the Smurf’ O’Rourke, complete with canned Smurf laughter. Pat shares requests from listeners and reads out a letter from number one fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue). He is followed by Steve Douglas and Luke Ward, who promise an interview with Bono of U2. Audio quality is fair with some variation in levels and there are issues with the microphone at times.

The partially airchecked recording runs from around 1600-1825 on 25^th December 1980 and was recorded from 95.7 FM. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

15th October 202512th October 2025

Early Cork series: Romantic Hour on Radio City

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This recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made early in 1981. It features Pat O’Rourke with his Sunday Romantic Hour, wrapping up weekend programmes on the station. The phones are out of order but Pat invites listeners to contact Radio City by post to 27 Parnell Place in Cork.

The tape was made from about 1800 on 25^th January 1981 from 95.7 FM and contains some edits. Audio quality is mixed with distortion in places and some cassette wobble. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

10th September 20256th September 2025

Early Cork series: Pat O’Rourke on Radio City

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Pat O’Rourke (aka The Smurf) was a popular DJ on the early Cork pirate radio stations. This recording features his late-night show on Radio City and includes a preview of weekend programmes on the station. The first section is of the final half-hour of Pat’s romantic music slot from 2334-0000 on Friday 16^th January 1981, ending with the national anthem to close down Radio City for the night. This is followed by part of another late-night show presented by Pat, apparently from 18^th January.

The tape was made from 95.7 FM but there is distortion on the links possibly due to a microphone issue. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

27th August 20254th September 2025

Early Cork series: Night and day on Radio City

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This recording of Radio City gives a flavour of the variety of shows on the Cork station as it began to find its feet in the autumn of 1980. First up is Pat O’Rourke (Smurf) with Sounds around Midnight, which includes mention of the upcoming Cork Jazz Festival. This is followed by Tony Allen (Walsh) with his new daily show, Mid-Morning Madness. Adverts are heard for businesses around Cork as Radio City was beginning to generate income in its second month on air. There’s also a request by letter from number one fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue). News at 1200 is read by Pete Andrews (O’Neill), who takes over with his lunchtime show at 1230.

The recording was made from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres, between 20^th and 27^th October 1980 although exact dates are unclear. Audio quality is poor for the first half-hour due to rudimentary recording equipment but improves later despite cassette degradation. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.