This is a recording of the Swords-based K.E.L.O. Radio from March 26th 1981. Starting at 2pm, John Clarke is on air for the north Co Dublin station.
John Clarke: “Thank God it wasn’t 40 years ago (but almost, you do the sums) great little station, fun, exciting, free flow radio – and dare I say the humble beginnings of a “clutter-free format“ with a wide selection of music – where the waffle & the egos were barred from the studio – just great to be part of it.”
Barry Flynn: “Hadn’t heard that before. Jaysus, even way back then, Clarke was the master of the jingles/inserts etc.”
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Ian Biggar
Test transmissions from the FM only Dublin station Radio Nova. We don’t have an exact date but the tests ran in the first half of June 1981 on 88.1MHz.
This is a recording of Limerick’s Big L and Mike Richardson’s Breakfast Show from 7.20am on July 9th 1981.
As you’re listening you are invited to visit the Big L Station Page and if you can add to the history (factually or anecdotally) or if there’s anything else you can contribute such as photos or recordings, please get in touch.
This Radio Retro recording is by kind courtesy of Michael Richardson
From August 14th 1981, this is a recording of Paul Kavanagh on the Afternoon Show on Radio City, the Dublin pirate station. Taken from 1165kHz, it starts at 3.38pm.
This is a rare recording of Athlone-based pirate station Radio Carol-Ann from August 1981.
The presenter is Mark Anthony, who identifies the station by the name Radio Carol-Ann, whereas idents give a station name of Midland Radio. The banner seen here was at the entrance to the station.
The recording was made by the radio station touring lads of the DX Archive site, who stumbled upon Radio Carol-Ann by accident whilst travelling around. So, thanks to them for both the recording and for these photographs which were taken whilst the recording was being made!
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Starting at 3.20pm (with a few edits at the start) this is Mark Anthony on the air – and the picture on the left was taken during this show.
Mark later went on to start the pirate station Signal 102 in 1986, which was also in Ahlone, and lasted until 1988, and also to work for Midlands Radio 3 in the licensed era in the 1990s.
Jimmy Dean followed Mark at 5.30pm
This Radio Retro recording is presented by kind courtesy of DX Archive
This is Mike Donovan on Kerry Local Radio from August 17th 1981. This recording was made by the touring DX Archive party, who failed to locate the station so unfortunately there’s no photos. You can listen to the recording; and below there’s a link to the DX Archive account of that part of their tour.
As you’re listening you are invited to visit the Kerry Local Radio station page and if you can add to the history (factually or anecdotally) or if there’s anything else you can contribute such as photos or recordings, please get in touch.
This Radio Retro recording is by kind courtesy of Ian Biggar
This is a recording of the Cork station Community Radio Youghal from August 18th 1981. Starting at 12.10pm, Eileen Connolly is on air and she’s followed by ‘Lunchtime with Seán Healey’ at 12.30pm.
This is a recording of Kildare Community Radio, who were based in Naas. We first hear from ‘Niamh’, who is followed by ‘Adrian’ on either side of the 5pm news and community notices on August 19th 1981.
‘Niamh’, followed by ‘Adrian’
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio Recordings since 2002 This Kildare Community Radio recording is by kind courtesy of Ken Baird / DX Archive
This is a recording of Colm Hayes on Radio Nova, recorded off 846kHz, on October 19th 1981. Starting at 4pm, Sybil Fennell is also featured for the Dublin station.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
From November 1981 this is a recording of Big L Radio Limerick’s Roundtable programme with Keith Knowles, Mike Howes and Eoin Devereaux discussing new music record releases.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002 This recording is thanks to Ronan Walsh via DX Archive
If you have any old cassettes or digitised recordings that we can add here, please get in touch – radiowavesfm@radioanoraks.com or use wetransfer to the same address.