Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

Author: Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive Language: English Episodes: 50
Tune into the crackle and hum of Ireland's rebellious airwaves with Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive. This isn't a polished history lesson, but a direct line back to a vibrant, clandestine era of broadcast. Each episode is a carefully preserved recording, pulling you into the makeshift studios and live transmissions that once defied the monopoly of state radio. You'll hear the raw energy of presenters, the eclectic music choices that defined communities, and the very ads and announcements that painted a sonic picture of Ireland from the 1970s through the 1990s. Curated by the Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive, this collection serves as a living museum, offering an unfiltered, atmospheric journey into a foundational chapter of modern Irish culture. The archive speaks for itself; every broadcast is a primary source, letting you experience the texture and spirit of free radio exactly as it was heard. For anyone curious about media history, grassroots broadcasting, or the authentic sound of Ireland's recent past, this podcast is an irreplaceable trove.
Episodes
Border series: Lynsey Shelbourne on KLAS Radio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:40
KLAS Radio began test transmissions in April 1991 on 828 kHz, although initially it announced 819 kHz. The test announcements were made by Lynsey Shelbourne (Dolan), who later went on to present programmes. The station b…
Radio West Anoraks’ Show (21st June 1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:24
This recording of Radio West from summer 1987 begins with the end of Don Allen’s easy listening programme just before the weekly Anoraks’ Show presented by Don and Radio West boss Shaun Coyne. There are the usual letters…
Border series: Test transmission of KLAS Radio from Monaghan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:53
KLAS Radio (1991-1993) was an example of the many new pirates to defy the new broadcasting laws of 1989 and come on air in the 1990s. It was based on the Monaghan/Tyrone border and broadcast from a site at Carrickroe tha…
Eclectic musical style on Radio Caroline Dublin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:12
Radio Caroline Dublin broadcast to the capital between 1989 and 2000, making it one of the longest-running pirates of the post-1989 era. This recording was made towards the end of its run in 2000 and highlights the wide…
St. Patrick’s Day on Nova offshoot KISS FM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:33
This recording of Radio Nova offshoot KISS FM was made on St. Patrick’s Day 1983. First up is the final part of the lunchtime show with Colm Hayes. He is joined in studio by Eurovision winner Johnny Logan, who is due to…
Teena Gates on Liberty 104 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:26
Liberties Local Community Radio (LLCR) began broadcasting in March 1986 from Weaver Square in Dublin 8. It was run by Sammy Prendergast who was well known for installing aerials for pirate stations. LLCR broadcast on 103…
Radio West Anoraks’ Show (15th November 1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
This edition of the Radio West Anoraks Show from Mullingar was made just as legislation to legalise radio in Ireland was brought before the Oireachtas. The topic dominated the discussion on the show that week, with stati…
Early Cork series: Top 40 countdown on Radio City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:02
This short recording of Cork pirate Radio City was made in spring 1982, the station’s last year in operation. The Top 40 countdown is presented by Derry O’Callaghan in an afternoon slot. There are references to other DJs…
Northeast series: Highlights of a day on Radio Carousel Navan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:20
Radio Carousel Navan (1982-1988) was one of several stations in the Carousel network run by Hugh Hardy from Omeath in Co. Louth. The Navan station occupied a high-profile position in a glass kiosk in the Meath town’s new…
More AM and FM radio as heard in Dublin in 1980 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:57
This is another recording made by English anorak Leon Tipler during his visit to Ireland in summer 1980. First up is a selection of pirates on AM including Chris Barry on Capitol Radio (1332 kHz), Paul King on Radio City…