Early Cork series: weekend shows on Radio City

Early Cork series: weekend shows on Radio City

Author: Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive May 8, 2026 Duration: 49:12
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 … Continue reading "Early Cork series: weekend shows on Radio City"

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.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 24

Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive
Podcast Episodes
Sunday evening on Sunshine Radio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:38
Before it was relaunched in 1986, the large Dublin pirate Sunshine Radio broadcast specialist programmes at the weekends, sometimes offering a choice of services on AM and FM. This recording from a Sunday evening in 1984…
Border series: Evening show on KIKX 102 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:00
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…
Test broadcast by Blanchardstown Community Radio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:19
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…
Bob Gallico and Peter Madison on Magic 103 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:13
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 Ga…
ABC Radio still on air after raids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:59
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…
101 Hottest Hits of 1987 on Sunshine 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:01
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 t…
Early Cork Series: Radio City on new frequency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:16
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 aft…
More Chris Cary on KISS FM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:46
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…
Chris Cary on KISS FM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
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-n…
Border series: Country requests on Misty Mountain Radio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:26
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 listen…