Posted on

Early Cork series: Lunchtime on Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Early Cork series: Lunchtime on Radio City
Pete Andrews (O’Neill) at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue).

Pete Andrews (O’Neill) was a familiar voice on Cork pirate radio, and was heard on the early stations of the late 1970s before setting up Radio City in 1980 with Dan Noonan. Here he is on the Lunchtime Special from spring 1981 with a mixture of chart, classics and a bit of country. Features include the Golden Year, for sale slot, featured album, record of the week, weather forecast and the Top 10 from the Radio City Top 50. Many of the adverts are voiced by Pete, who also reads news headlines on the hour. Such was the multi-tasking of pirate radio!

The recording was made from 95.7 FM between 1202-1403 on 23rd March 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

Posted on

Early Cork series: Sunday shows on Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Early Cork series: Sunday shows on Radio City
Radio City studio in 1981 (courtesy DX Archive).

This recording features a selection of Sunday programmes on Cork pirate Radio City from the spring of 1981. Up first is John Rice signing off at the end of his show, followed by Pete Andrews (O’Neill) with the Radio City Top 50 and then Susan James (O’Connor) with the Groove Galaxy. The last segment is from a Sunday morning show presented by John Mariner, possibly from another date. 

This airchecked recording was made from 95.7 FM from around 1400 on 22nd March 1981. Audio quality is generally good but there is some distortion and wobble due to cassette degradation. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

Posted on

Early Cork series: Lunchtime Special on Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Early Cork series: Lunchtime Special on Radio City
Pete Andrews in studio with number one fan Lilian McCarthy (O’Donoghue) (courtesy of Lilian).

This recording of early Cork pirate features popular DJ Pete Andrews (O’Neill) with his Lunchtime Special show from 1981. Pete plays a mixture of current hits and oldies, including a new Golden Year feature. News headlines are read by Mark and there are adverts for businesses around Cork City. Pete refers to 95.5 FM but there is no mention of Radio City being on AM at this time.

The recording was made from 95.5 FM on 9th March 1981 between 1159-1244 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue.

Posted on

Early Cork series: Various show on Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Early Cork series: Various show on Radio City
L-R: Eric Hansen (John Creedon) and Alan Reid (Henry Condon, RIP) at Radio City (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue)

This recording of Cork pirate Radio City features a variety of presenters and shows from its schedule in spring 1981. First up is Pete Andrews (O’Neill) who reads out a listener’s letter and previews various programmes coming up over the weekend. He is followed by Susan James and Karl Johnson (Dan Noonan). Of interest towards the end is Eric Hansen who under his real name of John Creedon continues to broadcast on RTÉ to this day.

The dates are unclear but we estimate the recording to be from 31st January and 1st and 2nd February 1981. The tape was made from 95.7 FM and although 104 FM is also mentioned, Radio City’s AM transmitter was off the air at the time. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.

Posted on

Early Cork series: More of the launch of Radio City

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Early Cork series: More of the launch of Radio City
Susan James at Radio City in 1980 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue)

This recording features more of the launch broadcast of Cork pirate Radio City at the end of August 1980. Pete Andrews (O’Neill) is in the chair with music and a preview of the planned programmes with various DJs including Susan James, Seán Collins, Derry O’Callaghan, Dave Johnson, Steve Douglas, John Marner and Dave Powell. There’s a cryptic reference to DJs from rival station Capital Radio who are said to be outside but not invited to the launch. Full programming on Radio City began the following day.

Early Cork series: More of the launch of Radio City
Derry O’Callaghan at Radio City in 1981 (courtesy Lilian O’Donoghue)

This recording was made from 1512 kHz, announcing 199 metres between 1634-1711 on Sunday 31st August 1980 and is courtesy of Ken Baird. Audio quality is fair with variable levels.