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.
1983
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
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
RAIDIÓ LUIMNÍ April 21st 1983
From April 1983 this is an afternoon recording of John ‘The Man’ Frawley on Raidió Luimní.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Ian Biggar
Radio Nova
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
This recording can now be downloaded direct from DX Archive.
We host it with thanks to Gary Hogg.
RADIO NOVA May 18th 1983
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]
RADIO NOVA May 19th 1983
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
RADIO LEINSTER May 19th 1983
Al Dunne on the air from 12.57pm for a momentous broadcast
RADIO WEST May 19th 1983
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.
BRAY LOCAL BROADCASTING May 19th 1983
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]
RADIO DUBLIN May 20th 1983
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
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
RADIO NOVA May 25th 1983
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
RADIO NOVA May 26th 1983
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
RADIO NOVA May 27th 1983
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
RADIO NOVA June 1st 1983
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
RADIO NOVA June 2nd 1983
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
RADIO NOVA June 3rd 1983
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
SUNSHINE RADIO (June 12th 1983)
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
RADIO NORTH WEST September 6th 1983
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
ERI September 18th 1983
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
RADIO WEST September 24th 1983
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.
Radio Nova
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.
ARKLOW COMMUNITY RADIO October 29th 1983
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 programming from the Cork station South Coast Radio.
First, from 3.30pm, John Lewis is on air, 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
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
ERI October 31st 1983
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
NORTH CORK LOCAL RADIO October 31st 1983
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
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
Radio Annabel
Peter Madison on the air from 12.30pm
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.
Royal Dublin Community Radio
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
Community Radio Fingal
This recording of the north Co Dublin station, starting at 3.55pm on November 2nd 1983, was made off 89.8MHz by the lads at DX Archive during a trip to the station.
At this time CRF could also be found on 1575kHz AM .
ERI October 30th 1983
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