WABC Archives - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

29th March 202518th February 2025

Border series: WABC approaches end of second period on air

On 18^th March 1991, Ian Biggar received a note from the owner of Donegal pirate WABC, Paul Barnett (RIP), saying that due to family circumstances, he and his wife Krissi were moving back to England. Because of that WABC would close on 31^st March 1991, the second time for the station to leave the airwaves since its establishment in 1987. This recording was made a little over a week previously as the station was winding down although this is not referred to on air.

Up first is Paul with the final part of the breakfast show until 1100 and he is followed by Krissi with her usual mid-morning programme. There is no reference to the impending closure on air, although a hint is provided by Krissi who says that she will be finishing up the following week. Adverts feature businesses in Antrim, Derry and Donegal, the latter unusual post-1989 as there were strict penalties for advertisers in the Republic. News on the hour is read by Paul and there is also a What’s On Guide. Music is a mixture of oldies and chart.

The tape was made on Friday 29^th March 1991 from 101.7 between 0953-1125 and is courtesy of Ian Biggar.

22nd January 202519th January 2025

Border series: Mid-morning show on WABC

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This recording of Donegal pirate WABC was made following the resumption of the twin services Gold and Hot Hits in autumn 1990. Declan Gill presents the mid-morning show on WABC Hot Hits with plenty of good tunes and requests from listeners, mostly in Co. Derry. There are adverts for businesses in Derry and Antrim, including an event in Belfast, and promos for local entertainment venues. The Beg, Steal or Borrow feature is a free small ads service and news on the hour is read by Krissi Carpenter.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 101.7 FM on 18^th October 1990 between 1112-1244.

15th January 20259th January 2025

Border series: afternoon show on Donegal station WABC

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Returning to 1990 and the story of Donegal pirate WABC, today’s recording is from the autumn of that year following the resumption of the twin services WABC Gold and WABC Hot Hits. Tina James is in the afternoon slot on the Hot Hits station with plenty of chart music interspersed by idents claiming to play 10,000 hits in a row. News on the hour is read by Declan Gill and adverts are heard for businesses in Derry and Antrim, including one from as far away as Belfast.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made between 1500-1705 on 17^th October 1990 from 101.7 FM.

8th January 202518th February 2025

Border series: Donegal pirate WABC continues into 1991

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1991 was the year that the Donegal pirate WABC closed down for the second time, as station owner Paul Barnett (RIP) moved back to the UK. A reminder of the constant threat to the pirates operating in the new legal landscape came at the end of 1990 when on Wednesday 14^th November a team from the Department for Communications was operating in Donegal and visited the studios of North Atlantic Radio and Radio North. Both were told to cease transmissions which they did. On hearing of this, Paul Barnett closed both WABC services and awaited developments. No visit was received, and the transmitters were switched back on two days later. Both Radio North and North Atlantic Radio returned over the following days.

By early 1991, WABC had once again combined the Hot Hits and Gold services and was transmitting on both FM channels. Paul had always hoped to get WABC back on medium wave and in a letter to Ian Biggar dated 28^th January 1991, he said a 1 kW rig was ready and would be in use soon on 954 kHz. The transmitter was built in England and shipped across to Donegal. It was on air in late January and February before disappearing. It was believed to have been sold to North Atlantic Radio.

This recording of WABC from 101.7 FM was made on 21^st January 1991 and seems to post-date the combination of both services as the music contains both chart hits and oldies. Up first is Happy Harry from 1735-1820 who also shares snippets of news from the evening papers. The second part of the recording runs from 2005-2050 on the same date and features Doctor Pat. The voices of Paul Barnett and his then wife Krissi Carpenter are heard on adverts, mostly from the Coleraine area. News at 1800 is read by Barry Owler. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the recording and for background information.

3rd January 20252nd January 2025

Border series: Tina James on WABC Hot Hits

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By the autumn of 1990, the twin services of WABC Gold and WABC Hot Hits had resumed from Inishowen in Co. Donegal close to the border with Co. Derry. The hot hits service had been suspended for a few months since the summer due to a shortage of staff but was later reinstated. In this recording, Tina James presents the afternoon drive programme. The emphasis is on the chart music with a minimum of talk although there are plenty of local adverts. The final news bulletin of the day is read by Declan Gill at 1700 and is shared with the Gold service.

The recording is courtesy of Ian Biggar and was made from 101.7 FM on 10^th October 1990 between 1645-1825.