KIKX 102 was the new name for the short-lived Monaghan pirate FM 100, that broadcast for a few months from 26th July 1989. Using the former studios and transmitter of previous pirate KITS in Monaghan Town, FM 100 had big plans to secure a music radio licence for Northern Ireland following the closure of the pirates south of the border at the end of 1988. After moving to 102 FM in November 1989, FM 100 relaunched as KIKX 102 but only lasted for another few weeks before closing down. This was an unstable period for the pirates due to the introduction of draconian new broadcasting laws in the Republic.

Our recording features an evening show with mostly chart music and adverts for businesses in Antrim (including Belfast), Armagh and Monaghan. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 102 FM sometime in November 1989 between 2134-2219. The DJ calls himself ‘the Gooseman’.

The post Border series: Evening show on KIKX 102 appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

Blanchardstown Community Radio (BCR) was one of several short-lived pirate stations that came on air in Dublin in the second half of 1983, following the drama of the raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio that spring. It was based in the western suburb of Blanchardstown and was set up by some of those involved in Westside Radio, another station in the same part of the city that closed down that summer.

The Anoraks UK Weekly Report commented that small stations came and went almost on a daily basis in Dublin during that period. The edition of 8th September reported that BCR appeared on 7th August at 1400 hours as announced, suggesting that it had been broadcasting loop announcements in advance. The station was logged again by Anoraks UK on 14th September but there is no mention of it after that.

This short recording features an unidentified DJ followed by continuous music. Full programming is promised from the following morning. The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made on 7th August 1983 between 1433-1449 from 1251 kHz, announcing 240 metres.

The post Test broadcast by Blanchardstown Community Radio appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

Magic 103 was one of the many offshoots of Radio Nova, broadcasting from April to September 1985. This recording was made on a sunny summer afternoon and features two of the station’s most accomplished presenters, Bob Gallico and Peter Madison, both since deceased. First up is the end of Morning Magic with both presenters, while Peter continues on his own with the Solid Gold slot after 1200. ABC Network News is read by Bob and Mark Weller. The music style includes classical, easy listening, big band and oldies. Listeners are also invited to bid for a rare Beatles picture disc, with the proceeds going to the forthcoming Live Aid concert. Although there is interest from listeners, virtually no adverts are aired, evidence of the financial problems facing Magic 103 throughout its existence.

The tape is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 103.5 FM on Wednesday 24th July 1985 from 1150-1321. 199 metres (1521 kHz) is also announced.

The post Bob Gallico and Peter Madison on Magic 103 appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

The small Dublin pirate ABC Radio was one of a handful to stay on the air after the raids on the bigger station Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio on 18th and 19th May 1983. This short recording of ABC was made before 2300 on the evening of 19th May and includes a call from a listener who says she finds RTÉ Radio 1 and Radio 2 depressing and will miss pirate radio. The DJ is Jimmy Williams and the recording was made from 963 kHz, 312 metres. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The post ABC Radio still on air after raids appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

On New Year’s Day 1988, Dublin super-pirate Sunshine 101 broadcast the ‘101 Hottest Hits of 1987’ presented by Nails Mahoney. The show was sponsored by the Evening Press newspaper and sounds like it was pre-recorded as there are no time-checks.

The recording is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection and was made from 101.5 FM between 1317-1403 on 1st January 1988.

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Radio City changed AM frequencies in summer 1981, moving from 1512 kHz (announcing 199 metres) to the slightly off-channel 1243 kHz (announcing 240 metres). This recording begins at the end of Seán Collins’s Saturday afternoon show with laid-back tunes and a listeners’ competition. He is followed by Alan Edwards who is running late for his weekly slot. Alan plays chart hits with some oldies and there are requests from listeners and plenty of adverts but also a break in transmission for a few minutes.

The tape was made from 95.5 FM from 1655-1852 (with an edit in the middle) on 18th July 1981 and is courtesy of Lilian O’Donoghue. Audio quality is fair to good, with some wobble on the cassette in places due to the passage of time.

The post Early Cork Series: Radio City on new frequency appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

This is another recording of Radio Nova founder and boss, Chris Cary, using the name Harry cary on the Nova offshoot station, KISS FM. Chris mentions the visit of a youth club to the studios of Nova and KISS FM that day and says that other such groups would be welcome at the weekends. There are high-level agency adverts and news is read by Bryan Dobson, who would go on to a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made between 1837-1911 from 102.7 FM on Sunday 17th April 1983 and is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The post More Chris Cary on KISS FM appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

This recording features weekend shows on Cork pirate Radio City in summer 1981. Up first is John Ashford (RIP) with the final part of his Saturday Nightbeat show. He is followed by Jamie Roberts, who takes a call from fellow DJ Pat O’Rourke who is in hospital! Of interest is the advert for Fianna Fáil in advance of the election the following week. The final section is part of a chart show.

The tape begins at around 2200 on Saturday 6th June 1981 but is partially airchecked. The chart show is probably from the following day, 7th June. Thanks to Lilian O’Donoghue for the donation.   

The post Early Cork series: weekend shows on Radio City appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

KISS FM (1982-1984) was one of several offshoots of the large Dublin pirate radio Nova. In this recording, Nova founder and boss Chris Cary is on air using the name Harry Cary. He is followed by Chris Barry with a late-night programme. The final part of the recording switches from KISS FM to Nova itself for a few minutes. ‘Independent Radio News from Ireland’ on both services is read by Ken Hammond, who would go on to have a career in RTÉ.

The recording was made from from 102.7 FM and then 88.2 FM on Sunday 10th April 1983 between 2040-2114. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The post Chris Cary on KISS FM appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.

Misty Mountain Radio broadcast from the Cavan border region in the 2000s, specialising in show bands and country and Irish music. In this recording, DJ Mark Gregory has a CD to giveaway and there are requests from listeners around the county. The recording was made between from 106.2 FM between 2056-2200 on 15th January 2007.

Thanks to Ian Biggar for donating the tape, which was recorded originally by Brian Johnson. There is no known link between this station and the shortwave pirate Misty Mountain Radio that broadcast from the border region in the 1980s.   

The post Border series: Country requests on Misty Mountain Radio appeared first on Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive.