Skywave Collection Archives - Page 3 of 21 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

25th August 202312th February 2024

Echo Community Radio from west Dublin

Echo Community Radio was a shortlived station broadcasting from the west Dublin suburb of Blanchardstown in 1985. In July that year, DX Archive logged it on 1071 kHz AM, announcing 280 metres. On 12^th January 1986, Anoraks UK Weekly Report said it appeared that Echo Community Radio had closed down. The station was based in the Centrepoint Shopping Centre.

This daytime recording features an unidentified DJ playing a mixture of oldies, disco and more recent chart music. There are no adverts but a phone number is given out for requests. Audio quality is fair with the signal distored in places and electrical interference, reflecting the distance from the transmitter. There is some co-channel interference also, probably from Radio Carousel North in Dundalk.

The recording was made from 1071 kHz from 1140-1227 on 17th June 1985. It is from the Skywaves Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin.

23rd August 20234th September 2024

South Dublin Radio from Dún Laoghaire

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South Dublin Radio was one of the many pirates of the era from the southside of Dublin, broadcasting from 1983-1984 from the suburb of Dún Laoghaire. The station was linked to Radio South County that first came on air in 1980 and was active on 963 kHz AM. In 1984, it changed its name to South Dublin Community Radio but closed sometime towards the end of that year. Many of those involved went on to the popular 1990s pirate DLR that broadcast from the same location.

This tape is of the station when it was known as South Dublin Radio and features a chart music show presented by Bruce Foxton, obviously a fake name based on the British mod singer. There are plenty of requests from around the southside. Reception is weak reflecting the fact that the recording was made on the other side of the city well outside the core listening area. The recording was made from 91 FM from 1515-1602 on 30^th July 1984. It is from the Skywaves Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin.

21st August 202312th August 2023

Test broadcast by Radio Caroline Dublin

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Radio Caroline Dublin was one of many Irish pirate stations using the name of the renowned offshore station. This recording is of a test transmission by a Radio Caroline Dublin from northwest Dublin in 1984. DJ Stuart announces that they are a new station on the band and will be going off air shortly to adjust their transmitter before returning later. Audio quality is poor and although this may relate to degradation of the cassette, it is likely that there were transnmission problems also. Music includes chart hits, oldies, ballads and easy listening and there are requests from listeners. The recording was made on 30^th July 1984 from 1458 kHz AM, announcing 206 metres, and 104 FM is promised for the future.

A Radio Caroline Dublin was logged by DX Archive in May 1984 on 259 metres or the off-channel 1127 kHz with an address in Dublin 9. A station of the same name was logged in July 1985 on 92.4 FM, in November 1986 on 98.5 FM and in July 1987 on 87.9 and 88.9 FM, accompanied by an address in Dublin 9/11. Given the location, these may be linked to the station featured in this recording.

The recording is from the Skywave Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from northeast Dublin.

18th August 202312th August 2023

Non-stop music on Carnival Radio

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Carnival Radio was a short-lived station broadcasting to Dublin in 1984. According to Offshore Echos no. 52 of May 1984, it began tests in late January that year on 1116 kHz and a 24-hour pop service was planned. It appeared to have links with the former Community Radio 257 which was raided the previous November. The phone number was used by 257 before its move to Portmarnock and several former 257 staff worked on it. An Anoraks UK report from 23^rd February 1984 suggested the same relationship. The strength of the signal in this recording suggests that the tranmission site was close to the receiver in northeast Dublin but we have been unable to unearth any more information about Carnival Radio. The recording is not of much assistance either as it contains no station idents and consists of continuous music only.

The wavelength of 257 metres is listed on the cassette, roughly equivalent to 1161 kHz although that would have clashed with several UK stations so 1116 kHz is more likely. The recording was made from 1535-1623 on 20^th February 1984 and is from the Skywave Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin. Thanks to Ian Biggar for further information.

16th August 202312th August 2023

Afternoon shows on Community Radio 257

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By November 1983, Community Radio 257 was based in Portmarnock in north County Dublin. This recording from that period begins with the final few minutes of a show presented by Gary Hamill (Seán McCarthy) who has a competition for listeners to win £5 in cash. News at the top of the hour is followed by Conor Cuddihy’s drivetime programme. Apart from a promo for community events and the ’257 Communications Institute’ offering radio courses, there are no actual commercials. An original Radio 257 (ARD) ident voiced by Tony Allen is aired but there was no direct connection with the earlier station. Gary Hamill went on to larger commercial pirate stations such as Q102 and Energy 103.

The tape was made from 103 FM on Saturday 12^th November 1983 between 1450 and 1535. Community Radio 257 also broadcast on 1116 kHz AM. The recording is from the Skywaves Tapes Collection. Radio Skywave International was a 1980s shortwave station broadcasting from northeast Dublin.