Scott Williams Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

16th April 20239th April 2023

New Q102 breakfast show presenters

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.

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

24th December 202214th November 2023

Christmas Eve into Christmas Day on Radio Nova

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This recording of Radio Nova was made on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1982, by which time the station was well established as one of the leading pirates in Dublin and Ireland. The tape kicks off with Scott Williams who finishes his show with a Christmas tune from a group of singers in studio. ‘Independent radio news from Ireland’ at midnight is read by Siobhán Purcell. ‘Clutterfree Nova’ – continuous music – follows for the next 40 minutes or so before Roland Burke (RIP) signs on until 6am on Christmas morning. Among the requests from listeners is one from Liverpool, reflecting the wide range of Nova’s coverage.

The tape was recorded from 88.2 FM. Since August, Nova was also broadcasting on 819 kHz AM but the cassette label refers to the earlier frequency of 846 kHz.

Part 1 above runs from 2348 and Part 2 below from 0039.

Part 2 from 0039.

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

10th April 202210th April 2023

Dublin’s Favourite 50 on Q102

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Q102 logo from 1987 (Alan MacSimoin collection).

Q102 was one of the largest and most successful 1980s ‘super-pirates’ in Dublin. Priding itself as Irish-owned in contrast with other big stations Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio, it launched on January 23^rd 1985 and quickly established a foothold in the Dublin market. In March 1988, Q102 took over the transmitters and equipment of Energy 103 after its sudden closure, given it a range of AM and FM frequencies in the capital. It was relaunched as ‘Super Q 102’ in summer 1988 and closed down on December 30^th in line with new broadcasting legislation.

Dublin's Favourite 50 on Q102 — Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

This recording was made on Easter Monday, 8^th April 1985 and features Dublin’s Favourite 50 with Scott Williams, still a familiar name on the Dublin radio scene. News on the hour is read by Gary Hamill. Part 1 above runs from 1238-1326 and Part 2 below from 1326-1414.

Part 2 from 1326

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

14th May 202113th May 2021

Peter Madison on Capitol 98 FM

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Capitol Radio on 98 FM was a short-lived station specialising in adult-oriented music that broadcast to Dublin on 98.3 FM in 1982. Despite having many big names involved, a good studios and powerful transmitter, the station ran into financial difficulties and closed down after only a few months.

Recordings of the station are rare, so we are delighted to bring you this 45 minutes from Tuesday 20^th July 1982 from 1358-1443. Scott Williams signs off and hands over to offshore veteran DJ Peter Madison (RIP), who was heard on many Irish pirates in the 1980s. Peter is clearly in anorak mood and plays songs by the Fortunes associated with the British offshore pirates Radio City and Radio Caroline. Despite Capitol’s promise to provide a news service, there are no headlines at the top of the hour although a news flash is heard about the infamous London bombings that day.

We thank Paul Buckle for this donation.

12th July 201912th July 2019

Interview: Declan Meehan (part 2: 1982-1989)

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In the second part of our extended interview, long-time broadcaster Declan Meehan discusses his move from Sunshine to Radio Nova in 1982 which was by then the biggest station in Dublin. He tells us how Chris Cary copied the sound of KIIS FM in Los Angeles to bring a new broadcasting style to Ireland. Despite his love for Radio Nova, Declan left the station because of the bitter NUJ strike in 1984. Although he moved into licensed radio in the UK and Ireland after that, Declan’s involvement with the pirates didn’t quite end there. The interview concludes with Declan’s thoughts on the pirate legacy and his views on the state of radio today.

You can hear the first part of this interview here.