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Early Cork series: Various show on Radio City

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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.

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Early Cork series: More of the launch of Radio City

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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.

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Early Cork series: Saturday shows on Radio City

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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.

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Early Cork series: Night and day on Radio City

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Early Cork series: Night and day on Radio City
Pat O’Rourke with Lilian McCarthy in Radio City in 1981 (photo courtesy of Lilian)

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 20th and 27th 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.

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Early Cork series: evening shows on Radio City

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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.