New Q102 breakfast show presenters

New Q102 breakfast show presenters
Gary Hamill (aka Seán McCarthy) reading news in April 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

Q102 changed the presenters of its Good Morning Dublin breakfast show in April 1985 just a few months after the new station’s launch. Scott Williams took over as DJ and Gary Hamill (aka Seán McCarthy) became newsreader. In this recording, we hear the usual morning gossip from the papers and news is read by Gary at the top of the hour and at 0820. There are agency adverts and a promo for a holiday giveaway. The jingle package ‘828, you’re looking great’ refers to Q102’s then AM frequency. It sounds fresh and was an example of the distinctive station imaging.

New Q102 breakfast show presenters
Original cassette label from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

This recording was made from 0744-0832 on Thursday 16th April 1985 from 102 FM. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Final Q102 breakfast show with Chris and George

Final Q102 breakfast show with Chris and George
Chris Barry in the Q102 studio in 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

This recording is of the final breakfast show presented by duo Chris Barry and George Long on new Dublin super-pirate Q102 in 1985. There’s the usual chat between the hosts including a birthday file and review of the morning papers. News is read by George at the top of the hour and at 0820. The agency adverts reflect Q102’s growing impact on the radio advertising market in Dublin.

Final Q102 breakfast show with Chris and George
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The tape was made from 102 FM on Friday 12th April 1985 from 0738-0826. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Q102 prepares for Easter weekend 1985

Q102 prepares for Easter weekend 1985
Chris Barry in the Q102 studios in 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

By Easter 1985, new Dublin station Q102 was just over two months on air and already making waves as a professional and slick choice for listeners in the capital. In this recording from Holy Thursday that year, Chris Barry presents the Good Morning Dublin show including news, weather, sports, a birthday file, the papers and Hollywood gossip. News is read by George Long and there’s a promo for a £10 giveaway for drivers stuck in traffic who are listening to Q102. Chris Barry was a familiar voice on many Dublin pirates and subsequently had a long career in licensed radio.

Q102 prepares for Easter weekend 1985
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

This recording was made from 102 FM on Thursday 4th April 1985 from 0640-0728. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Rolling Stones special on Q102

Rolling Stones special on Q102
Q102 logo from 1985 (Anoraks Ireland Collection).

This recording of Dublin super-pirate Q102 was made on the St. Patrick’s bank holiday in 1985, less than two months after the station went on air. It begins with popular DJ Jason Maine who is wrapping up his morning show. This is followed by a syndicated Spotlight special from the US featuring the Rolling Stones. News on the hour is read by Gary Hamill (Seán McCarthy). Part 1 above runs from 1153 and Part 2 below from 1241.

Part 2 from 1241.
Rolling Stones special on Q102
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The recording was made from 102 FM on Monday, 18th March 1985 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.

Henry Owens on Q102

Henry Owens on Q102
Promo for the news service from 1985 (courtesy Andy Carter).

Henry Owens (real name Henry Condon) was heard on various pirate stations in the 1980s, including Q102, Radio Nova and South Coast Radio in Cork, where he was known as Alan Reid. In this recording from 1986, he presents an afternoon show on Dublin super-pirate Q102. Along with plenty of agency adverts, there’s also a competition to win a trip across the skies of Dublin in the Eye in the Sky helicopter, from which Q102 delivered its traffic reports each morning. News is read by Anne Cassin at two minutes to the hour, an innovation allowing the station to claim that it was first to bring the news to Dublin listeners.

Henry Owens on Q102
Original label from Anoraks Ireland Collection

Henry went on to enjoy a long career on licensed radio in Ireland and UK up to his untimely death in 2013. Anne Cassin is now a presenter of Nationwide on RTÉ. This tape was recorded on Tuesday 11th March 1986 from 102.1 FM. Part 1 above runs from 1519 and Part 2 below from 1618.

Part 2.

This recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson.