South Coast Radio October 29th 1982
This is a recording of Cork pirate station South Coast Radio off 102.9MHz from the evening of October 29th 1982.
On the air is Keith York from 6.50pm and he’s followed at 7pm by Nick Richards. Stevie Dunn is on News.
Keith York – as broadcast
Nick Richards – as broadcast
With the music stripped out
South Coast Radio station page
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
This is Stuart Scott (right) on the morning shift for ERI. The recording is dated January 15th 1983 and starts at 8.20am.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is with thanks to Ian Biggar
Photo with thanks to DX Archive
Ger Roe with the Free Radio Programme as broadcast on Radio Dublin Channel 2 on January 19th 1983.
The programme went to air at 8pm.
This is Hugh O’Brien with Solid Gold on Kiss FM in Dublin from January 22nd 1983. The recording starts at 3pm and was taken from 102.7MHz.
Listen or download
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
From February 7th 1983 this is Andy Archer on Radio Nova from 11.45am. This recording of the Dublin station was taken from 88.2MHz.
This recording is with thanks to Chris Ridley
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Kiss FM February 7th 1983
This is a recording of a breakfast time show on Kiss FM in Dublin from February 7th 1983. John Lewis is on air from 7am and the file is split into two segments. Siobhán Purcell is also on hand with updates.
7am
8.15am
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Cork City Local Radio March 19th 1983
From March 19th 1983, this is a recording of Cork City Local Radio with Ken Regis on air from 3.55pm.
This Radio Retro recording is by kind courtesy of Ken O’Sullivan
This recording dates from March 29th 1983, an historic day in Irish radio history when the biggest ever cash giveaway took place on the Dublin station Kiss FM.
Kiss FM, Radio Nova’s sister station, promised to play three songs in a particular order at some point and when they did the 50th caller would pocket £5,000.
We join the programme not long after the three songs were played.
Listen
Recording is by very kind courtesy of Paul Buckle
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Caroline April 1st 1983
On the morning of April 1st 1983, with South Coast Radio in Cork broadcasting as normal using their 10kw transmitter on 1566kHz and on FM, local listeners chancing upon the station’s ‘spare’ frequency using a standby 200watt transmitter on 1557kHz would have been amazed to hear the return of the ship-bound offshore pirate Radio Caroline, which had been promising to make a comeback for a while at that stage, and had now anchored off the coast at Cork.
This recording starts at 11.20am with Hertz van Rental.
The reasons why Radio Caroline were on the frequency was eventually revealed.
The transmitter returned to South Coast Radio programming, with Tony Allan, following the midday news.
South Coast Radio station page
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Ian Biggar
This is a recording of Kiss Rocks with Denis Murray (pictured) on Kiss FM in Dublin from April 9th 1983. The recording starts at 10.30pm and was taken from 102.7MHz.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
This is a recording of Andy Stevens presenting the morning show on KOVE FM, a south Dublin pirate, from 8.23am on April 10th 1983. Jeans Simmonds is on newsreading duty.
You can listen to the recording as it was broadcast here
Or if you’d prefer an airchecked version, choose below
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is courtesy of Chris Ridley
This is a recording of John Lewis on Radio Nova off 88.2MHz FM from April 16th 1983. It starts with the News at midday and has a slight edit in the first few minutes.
This recording is with thanks to Chris Ridley
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
From April 21st 1983 this is a lunchtime recording of John ‘The Man’ Frawley on Raidió Luimní.
This recording is courtesy of Ian Biggar
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
May 14th 1983 was the date set for Operation Novacare 1983, an annual charity fundraiser ran by Radio Nova.
In the first recording Declan Meehan is on air from the studios from 9.56am, whilst Nova personalities are on location in Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre.
Tony Gareth takes over from Declan at 2pm
We rejoin the proceedings at just after 4pm with many of the Nova staff involved.
This recording can now be downloaded direct from DX Archive.
We host it with thanks to Gary Hogg.
May 18th 1983. A famous day in Irish radio history as Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico compose themselves on air whilst Department of P&T officials, accompanied by Gardaí, demand that they switch off Radio Nova.
The full story of the 1983 Raids is told chronologically in this Radiowaves Special Feature [tap here]
Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico return to the airwaves the morning after a major raid on the station.
They were followed by Tom Hardy. This is the first hour of his show…
More from Tom Hardy. This recording from his show is from 11.50am and culminates with a historical announcement…
The full story of the 1983 Raids is told chronologically in this Radiowaves Special Feature [tap here]
Sunshine Radio May 19th 1983
This is the morning the Sun went out over Portmarnock. The day after a raid against Radio Nova Sunshine Radio decided to continue broadcasting.
First, from 7.43, this is David Lyons on Breakfast.
David hands over to Robbie Dale from 9am
This is Al Dunne on the air from 12.57pm for a momentous broadcast
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with DX Archive
The May 1983 raids on Nova and Sunshine hit hard as Radio West decide to voluntarily cease broadcasting on the night of May 19th.
This recording runs from 10pm…
…and this from 11.15pm through to switch off.
A recording of Bray Local Broadcasting on the night they voluntarily ceased broadcasting in May 1983. Mark Quinn is presenting from 10.55pm
The full story of the 1983 Raids is told chronologically in this Radiowaves Special Feature [tap here]
May 20th 1983 and following raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio, Radio Dublin were one of a handful of stations in the capital to risk continuing in an atmosphere of paranoia. They opened their phone lines to an angry Dublin audience who had been deprived of their favourite radio stations.
First, from 9.30am. Mike Barron takes the calls
Then from 10am Curt Jackson takes over
From midday Tracey Evans welcomes some special guests into the studio
This is a recording of Southside Radio from May 22nd 1983 recorded off 963kHz. The date is significant as it fell just a few days after the infamous raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio. Southside Radio was South Country Radio under a different name. Terry Rogers is on air from 3.20pm.
Listen
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with DX Archive
Cork City Local Radio May 22nd 1983
From Sunday, May 22nd 1983, this is Cork City Local Radio with Ken Regis on the air in the early evening.
This was just a few days after the raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio in Dublin.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is with thanks to Ken O’Sullivan
This is Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova on May 25th 1983, one week after the raid on the station. Recorded in Leeds off 819kHz, the recording starts at 7.45am and although it suffers from poor quality it is very listenable.
The full story of the 1983 Raids is told chronologically in this Radiowaves Special Feature [tap here]
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From May 26th 1983, this is a recording of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova starting at 7.20am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From May 27th 1983, this is a recording of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova starting at 7.25am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From June 1st 1983, this is a recording of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova starting at 7.53am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From June 2nd 1983, this is a recording of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova starting at 7.20am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Community Radio 257 June 2nd 1983
This recording is from the other station based in Portmarnock, Community Radio 257. Gordon Sommerville is on air from 10.30am on a Thursday morning, June 2nd 1983, recorded off 1134kHz.
The station had opened just days earlier.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive.
From June 3rd 1983, this is a recording of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova starting at 7.52am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
South Coast Radio June 11th 1983
From 1983, this is South Coast Radio from Cork. John Lewis is on air in this recording which starts at 7.28pm on June 11th. It was recorded off 104FM.
South Coast Radio Station Page
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
From 1983, this is a recording of Sunshine Radio’s return to the airwaves. The Dublin station had remained off the air following the raid on them on May 19th but they finally returned on June 12th.
The first recording starts at 11.45am with the build-up to the station’s return, and then David Lyons is on from midday…
From 3pm Eugene Higgins celebrates the return…
This Radio Retro recording is presented by kind courtesy of DX Archive
The story of the 1983 raids on Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio
South Coast Radio June 13th 1983
This is Keith York (pictured right) on the air on a Monday evening, June 13th 1983, on the Cork pirate South Coast Radio. The recording was made from 104FM.
We join the show as it enters it’s third hour just as the 7pm News finishes.
Listen or download
We hope you enjoyed this broadcast which was kindly donated to us by Keith Lewis. The photo is courtesy of DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Cork City Local Radio June 23rd 1983
This is a recording of Cork City Local Radio from the evening of June 23rd 1983. Made off 1107kHz, John Dwyer is on the air and we join him at 8pm.
With great thanks to Michael Andersson, who made this recording during a visit to Ireland from Sweden.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
South Coast Radio June 23rd 1983
From the evening of June 23rd 1983, this is a recording of the Cork station South Coast Radio off 104FM from 9pm.
South Coast Radio station page
With great thanks to Michael Andersson, who made this recording during a visit to Ireland from Sweden.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This is Colm Hayes on Radio Nova from just after 6am on July 19th 1983. The recording was made in Scotland on 828kHz medium wave.
This recording is with thanks to Ken Baird of DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Donations welcomed at recordings@radiowaves.fm
South Coast Radio August 6th 1983
From August 6th 1983 this is a recording of John Lewis on South Coast Radio, the Cork pirate station.
We join the show from the start at the end of the 4pm News.
Listen or download
We hope you enjoyed this broadcast which was kindly donated to us by Keith Lewis.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
From August 11th 1983, this is a recording of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova starting at 8.25am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
This is a recording of Radio Nova from August 12th 1983. Starting with the 3pm News read by Sybil Fennell (pictured in the Newsroom).
We then have the final hour of John Clarke’s programme which is followed by Greg Gaughren.
Although recorded from 819kHz the station were still announcing 828kHz.
John Clarke
Greg Gaughren
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
From Drumshanbo in Co Leitrim this is a specialist Synth Pop show presented by a very young and very enthusiastic Michael Bermingham on Radio North West.
Broadcast on September 6th 1983 the programme featured hits and oldies from the era and there’s also a selection of home-made jingles.
While you’re listening you are invited to visit the Radio North West station page and if there’s anything you can add to it please get in touch
This Radio North West recording is with thanks to Michael Bermingham
South Coast Radio September 17th 1983
From September 17th 1983, this is a recording of South Coast Radio, the Cork super station. On the air is Alan West and the tapes started rolling at 3.15pm
South Coast Radio station page
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Cork City Local Radio September 18th 1983
From September 18th 1983, this is a short clip of Steve Marshall on Cork City Local Radio. Recorded off 98FM it runs from 2.50pm.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
South Coast Radio September 18th 1983
From September 18th 1983, this is a recording of South Coast Radio, the Cork super station. On the air is Pete O’Neill and the tapes started rolling at 3.28pm
South Coast Radio station page
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
This is Don Allen on the Cork 80s pirate station Radio ERI in a recording dated September 18th 1983. It starts at 3.50pm.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From Tuesday morning, September 20th 1983, this is the iconic pairing of Declan Meehan (pictured, right) and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova, recorded off 88.2MHz FM just as the 8pm News starts.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording of Mullingar pirate Radio West, which was made in Blackpool, England, off 765kHz, starts at 2pm with Ollie Clarke on air. He’s followed by Dave Murphy at 3pm. The date is September 1983.
At this time Radio West were using the former Radio Nova 10kW Gates transmitter.
Nova Gold with John Clarke from 4pm
This recording, which was made in Blackpool, England off 819kHz (even though the station were announcing 828kHz), starts at 4pm with John Clarke on air with Nova Gold, along with Martin Block on news duties.
At this time Radio Nova were using a temporary 1kW transmitter and were also broadcasting on 88.2MHz.
Broadcasting across the Radio Carousel Network this is the ‘Kieran Murray Mid-Morning Musical Mixture’ from 9.41am on October 27th 1983.
This recording is with thanks to Keith Lewis; photo courtesy of DX Archive
If you have any recordings on cassette, mp3 or hosted on a Mixcloud/Soundloud account that you’d like to see hosted here please contact us at recordings@radiowaves.fm
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This is Tom Hardy on mid-morning duty for Radio Nova from October 27th 1983. Bob Gallico reads the News.
Listen
This recording was kindly donated by Keith Lewis
If you have any cassette or mp3 recordings of radio broadcasts that you’d like to see hosted at Radiowaves.fm please contact us at recordings@radiowaves.fm
Radio Retro: Archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
From a Saturday morning on a bank holiday weekend in October 1983, this is a recording of Jason Maine on Radio Nova, the Dublin pirate station.
David Malone is on news.
As broadcast
Airchecked
Radio Retro: Archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
A recording of Arklow Community Radio with Joe Byrne on the air at 12.32pm on October 29th 1983.
This recording was made off 99.2MHz by the lads at DX Archive during a trip to the station.
At this time the station could also be found on 1251kHz AM.
This Arklow Community Radio recording is with thanks to Gary Hogg
South Coast Radio October 30th 1983
From Sunday, October 30th 1983, this is a selection of programming across the day from the Cork station South Coast Radio.
First, from 1.35pm, live from the Jazz Festival, there’s a link-up between the studio (John Lewis) and Dan Lowrey’s Tavern (Keith York) for some live music.
This recording was made in Cork by Gary Hogg (DXArchive.com) who remembers:
The link-up with the Jazz Festival at Dan Lowry’s is interesting as Keith (who sounded like he had been enjoying the Guinness!) and Johnnie mention about the jamming of the link. I remember them having a lot of trouble at that time with someone jamming their signals.
From 3.30pm, more from John Lewis, recorded off 1557kHz .
Then, from 4pm, Steve Douglas takes over, also recorded off 1557kHz.
Later, from 7.20pm, George Long is on evening duty, this time recorded off 102.9MHz.
South Coast Radio station page
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Cork City Local Radio October 30th 1983
From Sunday, October 30th 1983, this is Cork City Local Radio recorded off 97.9MHz FM.
First, we hear from Steve Marshall with Cork’s Top 40 countdown from 3.30pm.
He’s followed at 4.30pm by Rob Richards.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From Sunday, October 30th 1983, this is Cork station ERI recorded off 100.1MHz FM.
First, from 5.35pm, we hear from Don Allen and he’s followed at 6pm by Derry O’Callaghan.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
South Coast Radio October 31st 1983
From Monday, October 31st 1983, this is a recording of South Coast Radio, the Cork superpirate.
First, from just after midnight there’s Nick Richards, recorded off 1557kHz .
Later, from 6.25am, Don Stevens does breakfast, also recorded off 1557kHz.
South Coast Radio station page
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Cork City Local Radio October 31st 1983
This is a recording of Steve Marshall on Cork City Local Radio from October 31st 1983. It is taken off 97.9MHz and starts at 6.25am
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From October 31st 1983, this is the Cork superstation ERI, recorded off 100.1MHz FM.
On air from 6.30am-8am are Hugh Browne and Anna Craig.
The second file is from 8.30am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Image: Paul Rowley
This is a recording of North Cork Local Radio from October 31st 1983. Ben O’Sullivan is on the air from 11.15am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Capitol Radio from Hallowe’en night in 1983. At this stage Capitol were an album music station, prior to their repositioning as an Alternative music focused service.
Both recordings are off 95.6MHz; the first begins at 6.45pm and the second features Aiden Stewart on air from 8pm.
Aiden Stewart on Hallowe’en duty from 7pm
Kiss FM October 31st 1983
From October 31st 1983 this is a recording of Denis Murray’s Rock show on Kiss FM in Dublin. The recording starts at 3pm and was taken from 102.7MHz.
Listen or download
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
This is a recording of Treble TR, the Dublin pirate station, from 10.25am on November 1st 1983.
Joan Morgan plays the ‘numbers’ and Sally-Ann Parker reads the News.
Listen as broadcast
Listen with the music stripped out
From November 1st 1983, this recording of the Dublin station is off 94.6MHz and features Peter Madison on air from 12.30pm.
At this point the station was also broadcasting on 1035kHz AM.
This is a recording of Tom Hardy on Radio Nova, the Dublin pirate station, for the last hour of his show from 1pm on November 1st 1983.
Bob Gallico and Sybil Fennell are on News.
Listen as broadcast
Listen airchecked
Radio Retro: Archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
From November 1st 1983, this recording of Royal Dublin Community Radio is off 104.9MHz and features first Dave Barrett and then Keith Baron on air from 6.15pm.
Royal Dublin Community Radio station page
This Royal Dublin Community Radio recording is a Radio Retro original
This is a recording of Community Radio Fingal from November 1983, which at the time was based in Swords Shopping Centre in north county Dublin.
It starts at 3.55pm and is taken off 89.8MHz.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
From November 18th 1983, this is Lawrence John with All Night Nova for the Dublin superpirate Radio Nova.
The recording starts at 2.10am and can be heard either ‘as broadcast’ or with the music stripped out.
Listen as broadcast
Listen airchecked
Radio Retro: Archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
This is a recording of Soundtrack of the 60s with Gary Owens, which was an American syndicated programme, as it was played out on Radio Nova on the morning of November 19th 1983 from 9am. David Malone reads the News and this is a photograph of him in the News booth in November 1983.
Listen
The photograph of Dave Malone is courtesy of DX Archive and was taken during a Herbert St visit by a touring Anoraks UK party in November 1983. More photos from that day can be viewed by tapping here
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
This is a short recording of Lawrence John in great form on Radio Nova with his iconic ‘All Night Nova’ from November 22nd 1983.
We join Lawrence at 2.47am.
Lawrence John
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova December 25th 1983
This is Greg Gaughran on Radio Nova recorded on Christmas Day in 1983. Included in the programme is Bob Gallico’s Review of the Year.
Greg and Bob
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Broadcast over the holiday period at the end of 1983, this is a documentary feature charting the history of the Radio Carousel Network to that point. The feature was produced and voiced by Kieran Murray and this version has been edited leaving just the programme itself intact.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This is a recording of the Cork pirate station Radio ERI from the morning of February 1st 1983. Paul Graham presents the Breakfast Show as 9am approaches.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
This is Radio ERI, the Cork pirate station, from the morning of March 1st 1983. Andy Archer is in for Breakfast along with Andrew Hewkin (pictured, courtesy DX Archive) on News and other inserts.
This recording is from the Chris Ridley collection donated to Radiowaves.fm
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
From the morning of April 13th 1983 this is a recording of the Cork pirate Radio ERI. First it’s the end of Steve Marshall’s show, which is followed by the 9am News – read by Don Allen (pictured). After the News Paul Graham takes over.
Steve Marshall
Paul Graham
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
This is a recording of Paul Graham’s show from the morning of May 19th 1983. This is interesting because Radio Nova had been raided the day before and there were to be developments whilst Paul, who was temporary Station Manager, was on the air.
Lynsey Shelbourne and Don Allen are on Newsreading duties.
Listen
This recording is from the Chris Ridley Collection
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio recordings since 2002
This is Don Allen on Cork’s Radio ERI on the afternoon of July 3rd 1983. The recording, which was made from 102FM, starts just as the 4pm News comes to an end.
Listen
This recording is courtesy of Ian Biggar / DX Archive
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio recordings since 2002
This recording features Liam Quigley on Radio ERI in Cork from the morning of August 6th 1983.
Listen
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio recordings in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
This is a recording of a live outside broadcast from Wilton Shopping Centre with John Blake on location for Radio ERI in Cork on Saturday, October 22nd 1983.
It is split into two parts, the first starts at just after 3pm and then we rejoin the broadcast at around 4.40pm.
3pm
4.40pm
This recording has been used by kind permission of our friends at Pirate.ie and was originally recorded by Leon Tipler.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio recordings since 2002