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‘The Smurf’ on Radio City Cork

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'The Smurf' on Radio City Cork
Pat O’Rourke at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

Pat O’Rourke, also known as ‘The Smurf’, was one of the popular DJs on the early Cork pirates. Heard initially on the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC), his show had a huge following as reflected in its large weekly mailbag. Pat joined Radio City when it began broadcasting in 1980 and this recording features part of his first show on the new station.

The recording was made on 6th September 1980 from 2030. Audio quality is poor for the first part as it was made by placing a tape recorder against an AM radio. The second part was recorded from 95.5 FM using a radio-cassette recorder and seems to have been made at a later date. Thanks to Lillian O’Donoghue for the donation.    

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More requests and music on CBC

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More requests and music on CBC
Lillian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) with Pat O’Rourke at CBC in Patrick’s Quay (courtesy of Lillian).

This is another recording of Pat O’Rourke (aka The Smurf) on CBC from 1130 on Friday 15th June 1979. Pat is preparing to mark the first anniversary of his show which started on 30th June 1978. The programme is full of letters from listeners who clearly love CBC and its DJs, with one listener writing in ten times! Pat is followed at 12 noon by Pete Andrews (O’Neill) with the Spin-a-Disk Lunchtime Special.

More requests and music on CBC
Pete Andrews (O’Neill) in the CBC studio (courtesy Lillian O’Donoghue).

There’s also a short story from Ireland’s Own magazine and a rather strange Thought for the Day. It’s not clear if these were recorded on the same date.

Thanks to Lillian O’Donoghue for the recording and photos.

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‘The Smurf’ on the Cork Broadcasting Company

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'The Smurf' on the Cork Broadcasting Company
Pat O’Rourke aka Smurf at CBC, August 1979 (courtesy of Lillian O’Donoghue)

One of the popular DJs on the Cork Broadcasting Company (CBC) was Pat O’Rourke, also known as ‘The Smurf’. His show had a big following, with many listeners writing in with requests and dedications.

This recording is a partial aircheck and begins at 1000 on Friday 15th June 1979. As ever the mailbag is full and it takes Pat a while to read out the letters between records. The show is a great example of how pirate radio made close connections with its listeners and built up a strong local following.

Thanks to Lillian O’Donoghue for the recording and photos.