From January 3rd 1986 this is a recording of Radio Nova’s Zoo Crew featuring Colm Hayes and Bob Gallico.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
1986
Radio Nova January 9th 1986
This is a recording of Radio Nova made off long wave in January 1986. Nova had been relaying their programming on 254kHz for around a month at this point. George Talbot is on the air for this Thursday afternoon. Sybil Fennell reads the news.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is with kind courtesy of our friends at DX Archive, who have some more background to the Nova long wave broadcasts here
Q102 January 12th 1986
From January 12th 1986 this is a recording of Q102, the Dublin superpirate, with Derek Jones on air in the afternoon.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Blanchardstown FM Band Service January 17th 1986
This is a recording of Blanchardstown FM Band Service (BFBS) from January 17th 1986 from 3.10pm.
This interesting hobbyist pirate station was available on short wave and a number of FM frequencies.
The recording starts with the end of a French language programme for their listeners on SW and continues with Gerry Carroll at the mic.
This BFBS recording is with thanks to Joe Rossa
Q102 January 23rd 1986
Q102 celebrates one year on air. This recording from January 23rd 1986 starts at 6.52pm with Gerry Stevens on air leading to the 7pm news with Anne Cassin (pictured).
After 7pm John Kenny takes to the airwaves.
Westside Radio International January 26th 1986
This January 26th 1986 recording of Westside Radio International, the Dublin-based shortwave pirate, starts at 11.57am, just in time for this week’s DX News roundup with Prince Terry, covering Irish and international pirate stations.
Radio Nova LW January 28th 1986
This is a recording of Radio Nova made off long wave in January 1986. Nova had been sporadically relaying their usual programming on 254kHz for just over a month but on January 28th they broadcast split programming in the afternoon. Chris Barry was on the longwave service playing ‘country’ music favourites, which reunited with the main service for the news broadcasts, read by Sybil Fennell.
At 6pm the long wave transmitter resumed the relay of standard programming.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is with kind courtesy of our friends at DX Archive, who have some more background to the Nova long wave broadcasts here
County Sound FM February 18th 1986
This is a recording of County Sound FM, a Dublin pirate station broadcasting from the southside area of Churchtown.
Paul Madison is on the air for this Tuesday evening, February 18th 1986. We join the show at 9pm.
Listen
If you have any recordings on cassette or mp3 that you’d like to donate to our Irish Radio Recordings Archive please drop a line to recordings@radiowaves.fm
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova March 11th 1986
This is a recording of Radio Nova from the afternoon of March 11th 1986. Colm Hayes is on the air and Sybil Fennell reads the News. We join the show at 3.35pm.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova March 12th 1986
From the evening of March 12th 1986 this is Richard Jackson on the air from 9.45pm. Gary Hamill is on News duty.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova March 13th 1986
This is Tony McKenzie on the mid-morning shift for Radio Nova. The recording starts at 9.45am. Bob Gallico reads the News.
Then from later in the day, there’s some explosive evening News bulletins with Sybil Fennell and Gary Hamill.
Tony McKenzie
News at 7pm
News at 8pm
News at 9pm
News at 10pm
News at 11pm
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova March 14th 1986
These are a few recordings from Radio Nova across Friday, March 14th 1986.
We start with the midnight news from Gary Hamill with some explosive news about the station itself.
Then it’s John O’Hara from 7am with Bob Gallico on News.
Next, we have Colm Hayes in two separate recordings. First for a half hour from 1pm and then later on from 3.55pm.
Midnight News Gary Hamill
7am John O’Hara
1pm Colm Hayes
3.55pm Colm Hayes
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio with thanks to Gary Hogg and Ken Baird of DX Archive
Radio Nova March 15th 1986
This is a segment from the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 as aired on Radio Nova on March 15th 1986. We join the recording just as the midday news with Gary Hamill starts.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg of DX Archive
Radio Nova March 16th 1986
Here’s a few recordings of Dublin superpirate Radio Nova from across March 16th 1986.
First Paul Kavanagh makes it sound easy like Sunday morning from 9.30am.
Then we join Dave Johnson as he starts this week’s European Top 40 at midday.
Next we join him as he concludes the first hour of the show from 12.55pm.
Then, we join Dave as he counts down from number 4 to finish the show from 2.45pm.
Finally, after a break in transmission as announced on the 3pm News, we join John O’Hara with Nova Gold from 3.26pm
Paul Kavanagh from 9.30am
Dave Johnson from midday
John O’Hara from 3.30pm
With thanks to Gary Hogg and Ken Baird – DX Archive
Radio Nova March 17th 1986
From Monday, March 17th 1986 on Radio Nova we have Colm Hayes from the afternoon recorded off FM and then George Talbot from the evening recorded off MW.
Colm Hayes
George Talbot
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg of DX Archive
Radio Nova March 18th 1986
This is Radio Nova on the morning of March 18th 1986 with John O’Hara and Bob Gallico on Breakfast from 8am recorded off 738kHz.
Listen
This recording is with thanks to KenBaird of DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova March 19th 1986
Radio Nova from March 19th 1986.
This morning on Radio Nova was the same as any other. John O’Hara and Bob Gallico were on Breakfast and they were followed at 9am by Tony McKenzie…
8.15am
The first on-air hint that something was not right was the News bulletin at 1pm. It wasn’t the usual extended one.
Then, as the 3pm News with Gary Hamill was approaching, Colm Hayes was heard asking for Chris or Tony to contact the station.
Following the 3pm News the signal on FM went silent for a few seconds and returned with a different song to the one which had been playing. Even stranger, it was a different song to the one on 738kHz. 103.1FM continued with continuous music. There were no idents or anything else to give the listener any idea what was happening.
On medium wave Colm Hayes continued and we rejoin his show at 4.40pm to hear that Radio Nova was closing down. The 5pm News makes things a little clearer.
Courtesy of George
With thanks to Gary Hogg and Ken Baird – DX Archive
Zoom 103 March 19th 1986
This is a recording of the first live programming on Zoom 103, the very short-lived station that launched as Radio Nova was shutting down.
In the first recording we hear how Zoom 103 arrived – as an unidentified continuous music service that replaced Radio Nova on FM on the day Radio Nova was forced to close down. Nova’s FM transmitter on 103.1MHz was switched off just after the 3pm News and Zoom 103 was switched on.
Non-stop music continued long after Radio Nova’s 6pm closedown until the first live link at 10.15pm with Richard Jackson.
Zoom 103 March 20th 1986
Having arrived on the air just as Radio Nova was forced to shut down the day before, Zoom 103 went fully live on March 20th 1986 with the exact same line-up as Radio Nova, all in the exact same slots.
We have a selection of recordings from the day…
This first recording features an hour of Tony McKenzie’s show from just after the midday News, read by Bob Gallico.
12:00 Tony McKenzie
Next, we have some of Colm Hayes’s show (broken into segments) with Gary Hamill on News.
13:57 Colm Hayes and Gary Hamill
14:54 Colm Hayes and Gary Hamill
15:45 Colm Hayes and Gary Hamill
Then we have a couple of selections from George Talbot’s programme, again with Gary Hamill on News
18:18 George Talbot and Gary Hamill
19:20 George Talbot and Gary Hamill
Finally there’s an hour of Richard Jackson from 9pm
21:00 Richard Jackson
Recordings with thanks to Joe Rossa, Seán McCarthy and Gary Hogg
Zoom 103 March 21st 1986
This is a selection of recordings from March 21st 1986, the second full day of the very short-lived station Zoom 103, which immediately replaced Radio Nova when it closed down…
This first recording features John O’Hara’s show, which we join just as Bob Gallico finishes reading the 9am News. Kathy Quinn is also in studio.
09:00 John O’Hara
Next, we have some of Tony McKenzie’s show, which we join at 10.16am.
10:16 Tony McKenzie
Then we have Colm Hayes from 3.30pm with Gary Hamill on News
15:33 Colm Hayes
Recordings with thanks to Jess Codd and Gary Hogg
Radio West March 30th 1986
This is the first edition of Radio West’s Anorak Show from Sunday, March 30th 1986.
Seán Coyne and Philip Hilton present the week’s anorak news and gossip.
This Radio West recording is with thanks to Joe Rossa
Radio West April 1st 1986
From the afternoon of April 1st 1986 this is
Philip Hilton, followed by Willie Hart, on the Mullingar-based Radio West. Recorded off 765kHz, we join the broadcast at 1.45pm
Phillip Hilton as broadcast
Willie Hart as broadcast
With the music stripped out
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Waterford Local Radio April 2nd 1986
This is a recording of Waterford Local Radio from April 1986. Seán Orghan is on air from 10.14pm.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
ERI April 2nd 1986
This is a recording of the Cork 80s pirate station Radio ERI dated April 2nd 1986.
Steve Kelly is on the air from 11.30pm.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
LLCR
This recording of Dublin station LLCR is from April 4th 1986, when the station was newly-launched.
It features Paul Barrett’s programme in two parts, the first starts at 4.30pm and the second and starts at 5.13pm.
At this time the station broadcast on 96.7MHz FM and 1035kHz AM.
This Radio Retro recording is with thanks to Joe Rossa
Radio West April 6th 1986
This is the second edition of Radio West’s Anorak Show from Sunday, April 6th 1986.
Philip Hilton presents the week’s anorak news and gossip.
This Radio West recording is with thanks to Joe Rossa
LLCR April 23rd 1986
This is a recording of Liberties Local Community Radio from April 23rd 1986. We join the Dublin station just as Dave Felton is finishing his show. He’s followed by Curt Jackson on air from 7pm.
Listen
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Dublin April 26th 1986
This is a recording of a special broadcast marking the 20th birthday of Radio Dublin. ‘The History of Radio Dublin’ was hosted by Pat Jennings and included various studio and telephone guests looking back at the station’s history.
Energy 103 April 28th 1986
This is a selection from the first day of broadcasts from Energy 103.
On Sunday April 27th 1986, 103.1MHz and 738kHz in Dublin had lit up with continuous music tests, presumed to be the return of Zoom 103 – the station owned by former Nova employees – which had broadcast for just a few days following the closure of Radio Nova on March 19th.
The unidentified tests returned on Monday, April 28th, this time on 103.0MHz and 738kHz. Following a couple of hours of continuous music, the station went live at around 2pm and identified as Energy 103.
Richard Jackson was the first jock on the air and this recording has the very first presenter ID and then has Richard’s show in full.
At 4pm Tony McKenzie takes over the reins.
Later, from 10.40pm, Gary Hamill is on the air to finish the first day’s programmes.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Energy 103 April 29th 1986
This is a selection of recordings from Energy 103’s first full day on the air. The date was Tuesday, April 29th 1986 and the Dublin station were broadcasting on 103.0MHz and 738kHz.
First, we have John O’Hara (right) on the first-ever breakfast programme broadcast on the station. It is broken into two sections, the first taken off 103.0MHz and the second off 738kHz.
6.30am
8.05am
Then from 10.20am Richard Jackson is on the air.
10.20am
Finally, from 10.20pm we join Dave Johnson’s programme
10.20pm
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Energy 103 May 2nd 1986
This is a recording of Richard Jackson on Dublin’s Energy 103 from May 2nd 1986, starting at 11.50am.
Richard Jackson
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
WLS MUSIC RADIO May 3rd 1986
This is a recording of the 1980s Galway pirate station WLS Music Radio featuring first, Seán O’Boill, and then Casey Kasem.
From 1.43pm on May 3rd 1986, we catch the last few minutes of Seán’s show before joining Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 at 2pm.
There’s also the possibility of listening to an edited version with the music stripped out.
Seán O’Boill
Casey Kasem
Edited
Radio West May 4th 1986
This is an edition of Radio West’s Anorak Show from Sunday, May 4th 1986.
Seán Coyne and Philip Hilton present the week’s anorak news and gossip.
This Radio West recording is with thanks to DX Archive
Energy 103 May 5th 1986
This is a recording of Dublin’s Energy 103 from May 5th 1986. Starting at 1.30pm we hear first from Richard Jackson.
He’s followed at 3pm by Tony McKenzie (show is part-airchecked).
Richard Jackson
Tony McKenzie
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Energy 103 May 6th 1986
Here’s two recordings of Dublin’s Energy 103 from May 6th 1986, taken off 738kHz.
First, we hear from John O’Hara on Breakfast from 7.20am.
Then, from the evening time, we hear the last twenty minutes of Tony McKenzie’s programme.
John O’Hara
Tony McKenzie
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
First recording thanks to Gary Hogg, second recording thanks to Ger Roe.
Photo credit Mike Mahon
Community Radio Galaxy May 11th 1986
From May 11th 1986 this is a recording of a veteran of Irish radio, Tony Boylan (right), with his 78s Show on Community Radio Galaxy from just after midday.
Listen
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Energy 103 May 12th 1986
This is a selection of recordings of the Dublin pirate station Energy 103 from across the morning and afternoon of May 12th 1986. All were recorded off 103.0MHz FM.
First, we have John O’Hara from 9.15am on the breakfast programme taken off 103.0MHz. Gary Hamill reads the News. The signal is a little hissy but shouldn’t spoil the enjoyment too much.
9.15am
From 10am Richard Jackson is on the air following the News.
10am
Then, from 3.04pm it’s Tony McKenzie
3.04pm
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Sandymount May 14th 1986
This is the first day on air for the 1986 run for Radio Sandymount, one of the pop-up festival stations of the time, with David Baker from 1.40pm.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Sandymount May 18th 1986
From May 18th 1986 this is David Baker on air for Radio Sandymount – one of the series of ‘Festival’ stations that popped up in towns whenever they had their Community Week during the summer months. This recording starts at 2.31pm.
Energy 103 May 22nd 1986
From the Dublin pirate radio station Energy 103 this is a recording of John O’Hara & Gary Hamill (right) on the breakfast-time show ‘Early Energy’. It dates from the morning of May 22nd 1986 and was taken off 103.0MHz.
The part-recorded show is broken up into snippets, with the start time of each indicated.
6am
6.26am
6.57am
7.27am
7.38am
7.57am
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy 103 June 3rd 1986
This is a recording of Gareth O’Callaghan’s return to Dublin radio on Energy 103 following a couple of years in Britain. Gareth takes over the afternoon slot from 3pm on June 3rd 1986.
Dave Johnson reads the News.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Energy 103 June 4th 1986
This is a recording of the Dublin station Energy 103 from June 4th 1986. It starts at 7.13am and features John O’Hara and Gary Hamill on air with Early Energy.
Unfortunately, this recording has two large segments missing from the programme but that does not affect the enjoyment of a great sample from the early stage of the station.
Energy 103 June 7th 1986
This is a late night recording of the Dublin station Energy 103 from June 7th 1986.
It starts at 11.45pm and features Gary Hamill on air with Pure Energy.
This Energy 103 recording is a Radio Retro original
Energy 103 June 8th 1986
From the evening of June 8th 1986 this is a recording of Bryan Lambert on Energy 103, taken off 103.0MHz.
From 21:40
From 22:40
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Energy 103 June 9th 1986
Here’s a couple of Energy 103 recordings from June 9th 1986.
First, we hear from John O’Hara and Gary Hamill on ‘Early Energy’ from 7am.
Then it’s Tony McKenzie (pictured) on the mid-morning shift from 12.40pm.
Early Energy
Tony McKenzie
Photo with huge thanks to Mike Mahon
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy 103 June 11th 1986
From the afternoon of June 11th 1986, this is a recording of Gareth O’Callaghan on Energy 103 in Dublin. Recorded off 103FM, we join the show just as Dave Johnson is about to read the 3pm News.
Listen
Photo with huge thanks to Mike Mahon
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy 103 June 19th 1986
This is a recording of John O’Hara on Energy 103 from 7.09pm on June 19th 1986.
Radio West June 22nd 1986
This is an edition of Radio West’s Anorak Show from Sunday, June 22nd 1986 which features a long phone-call from Heady Eddie and the rest of the week’s anorak news and gossip.
This Radio West recording is with thanks to Joe Rossa
MOUNT MERRION COMMUNITY RADIO (June 29th 1986)
From June 29th 1986 this is an afternoon recording of RTÉ Mount Merrion Community Radio, a week-long service which was facilitated by the state broadcaster.
Energy 103 July 4th 1986
This is a selection of recordings of Dublin pirate station Energy 103 from July 4th 1986. All were made off 738kHz in the north west of England.
First, it’s the breakfast programme with Tony McKenzie. Dave Johnson reads the News
07:14
Next, we have the final twenty minutes of Gareth O’Callaghan’s programme, leading into the 7pm News read by George Long
18:40
Then John O’Hara in for the evening shift
19:01
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Sunshine Radio July 4th 1986
This is Pat Courtenay on Drive for Dublin station Sunshine 101FM. The recording starts just as the 5pm News with Cathy Cregan is coming to a finish. The date is July 4th 1986 – American Independence Day – which is too good of an opportunity for Pat’s comedic talent to ignore.
As broadcast
Recording is thanks to Gary Hogg at DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Click on the name to hear lots more from Sunshine Radio or Pat Courtenay
Energy 103 July 5th 1986
From Saturday, July 5th 1986 this is Gary Hamill (right) on Energy 103, the Dublin pirate radio station. The recording was made off 738kHz and starts at 7.18am.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Sunshine Radio July 9th 1986
From July 9th 1986 this is Pat Courtenay on Drivetime for Dublin station Sunshine 101FM. The recording starts just as the 5pm News with Justin McKenna is coming to a finish and you have a choice to listen to the broadcast either as it aired or with the music stripped out.
As broadcast
Music stripped out
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Click on the name to hear lots more from Sunshine Radio or Pat Courtenay
Energy 103 July 16th 1986
From July 16th 1986 this is Gareth O’Callaghan on Energy 103, the Dublin pirate radio station. The recording was made off 103.0MHz and starts just as George Long (right) is about to read the 3pm News.
Photo of George Long in the Energy 103 News room is with thanks to Kevin Branigan
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is an Anoraks Ireland original
Wonderland Radio June 20th 1986
Joe Carney on Tallaght’s Wonderland Radio from 9.58pm on June 20th 1986.
Q102 July 21st 1986
This is Dublin pirate Q102 from July 21st 1986. Al Dunne is on air from 2.31pm.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy 103 July 21st 1986
This is a recording of Gareth O’Callaghan with The Energy Cruise on Energy 103 from July 21st 1986.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio West July 27th 1986
This is an edition of Radio West’s Anorak Show from Sunday, July 27th 1986.
Seán Coyne is joined by guest presenter Bob Gallico for this edition in which they dissect all the radio industry stories of note.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with DX Archive
WABC July 27th 1986
This is a recording of a test transmission from WABC, a station from the Paul Barrett stable which was based in the Dublin 1 area.
From July 27th 1986, this is Paul on air on 97.2MHz.
Energy 103 August 4th 1986
From Bank Holiday Monday August 4th 1986 this is a recording of Dublin pirate radio station Energy 103. We hear part of the Listeners’ All Time 100 countdown, first with Derek Jones from 10.25am and then Gerry Stevens from 11am. Cathy Kelly reads the News.
Then we join Gareth O’Callaghan for the climax of the countdown from 6.30pm.
Derek Jones
Gerry Stevens
Gareth O’Callaghan
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
ABC Radio August 18th 1986
From August 18th 1986 this is a recording of Roddie Cleere on ABC Radio in Waterford.
Roddie Cleere
Radio Rainbow International August 24th 1986
This is edition 31 of Kieran Murray’s Free Radio Show on the SW station Radio Rainbow International from August 24th 1986 based in Louth.
This week’s featured station is Athlone Local Radio and the jingle package is from Downtown Radio in Northern Ireland
This recording is by kind courtesy of Kieran Murray
Energy 103 August 26th 1986
(courtesy Mike Mahon)
From Tuesday, August 26th 1986 this is an afternoon recording of Energy 103, the Dublin pirate radio station.
First, we hear from Gerry Stevens from 12.35pm.
Then we join Gareth O’Callaghan for the Energy Cruise from 3pm.
George Long and Dave Johnson are on newsreading duties.
Gerry Stevens
Gareth O’Callaghan
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Sunshine Radio August 26th 1986
This recording of the Dublin superpirate Sunshine Radio is from August 26th 1986
This particular day saw the culmination of a long-running listener competition with a live broadcast from Tomangos.
There’s a short clip from Tony Dixon’s show as he hands over to Pat Courtenay, who warms up the listening audience before handing over to Robbie Dale/Robinson and Mark Byrne for the presentation from the nightclub.
Once the winner is announced the outside broadcast comes to an end and they hand back to Steve Kelly in the studio.
Listen
Recording is thanks to Gary Hogg at DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Click on the name to hear lots more from Sunshine Radio, Pat Courtenay, Robbie Dale or Mark Byrne
Energy 103 August 31st 1986
This is a recording of Mike Kingston (right) playing love songs in the overnight hours on Dublin’s Energy 103. We join him at 3am on August 31st 1986.
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
Q102 September 14th 1986
From the afternoon of September 14th 1986, this is a recording of John Lander’s Hit Music USA as aired on Dublin station Q102.
Energy 103 September 15th 1986
This is Gareth O’Callaghan with the Energy Cruise from 3pm on Energy 103 on September 15th 1986. Paul Clements reads the News.
Gareth O’Callaghan
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy 103 September 18th 1986
This is Tony McKenzie (right) on breakfast time for Dublin station Energy 103. The recording starts at 7.25am and was taken from 738kHz on September 18th 1986.
George Long reads the News.
Photo by kind courtesy of Mike Mahon
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Energy 103 September 21st 1986
This is Gareth O’Callaghan playing oldies on a Sunday afternoon from 4pm on Energy 103. Michael Lewis reads the News.
Gareth O’Callaghan
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy 103 September 24th 1986
This is a recording of Gerry Stevens on Dublin’s Energy 103 from 1pm on September 24th 1986. George Long reads the News.
Gerry Stevens
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Laois Community Radio September 30th 1986
This is Laois Community Radio from September 30th 1986. Maggie May is on the air from 11am and the recording is split into two half hour segments with the second part covering the last 30 minutes of Maggie’s programme from 12.30pm. It was made in the north-west of England so suffers from some interference.
Maggie May from 11am
Magie May from 12.30pm
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Kiss FM September 30th 1986
This is a recording of Dublin’s Kiss FM from September 30th 1986 featuring Maurice Nevin sitting in for David Baker on Kiss Drive.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is courtesy of Ian Biggar
Energy 103 October 7th 1986
This is a recording of Mike Kingston on the overnight shift for Energy 103, the 80s Dublin pirate station. On October 7th 1986 we join the show at 1.20am.
Mike Kingston
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Kildare Local Broadcasting October 10th 1986
This is a test transmission from Kildare Local Broadcasting on October 10th 1986 starting at 2.34pm. KLB was a new community-type service which was due to launch the following morning.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio Recordings since 2002
This KLB recording is with thanks to Joe Cashin
Kildare Local Broadcasting October 11th 1986
This is the launch recording of Kildare Local Broadcasting, which was a new community-type service for the area broadcasting on 102.4MHz. The first official programme on the station was at 10am on Saturday, October 11th 1986 and Declan Dillon presented.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio Recordings since 2002
This KLB recording is with thanks to Joe Cashin
Energy 103 October 22nd 1986
Courtesy: Mike Mahon
From October 1986, this is ‘The Voice’, the one and only Tony Allan on Dublin’s Energy 103.
We join him halfway through the Park Leisure Complex Hour from 7.30pm on 103.0MHz.
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
Energy 103 October 25th 1986
From Saturday, October 25th 1986, this is Derek Jones on the Dublin pirate station Energy 103, recorded off 738kHz. The recording starts at 10.10am and from midday the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 takes to the air. Michael Lewis reads the News.
Derek Jones
Rick Dees
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Diamond October 27th 1986
From the October bank holiday in 1986, this is a recording of John Gold on Diamond Radio, the small, hobbyist pirate station based in Ballyfermot.
This Diamond Radio recording is with thanks to John O’Flaherty
Energy 103 October 28th 1986
From October 1986, this is a recording of the first outing for an all-new Breakfast Show on the Dublin pirate station Energy 103, recorded off 738kHz.
Gareth O’Callaghan and Cathy Quinn were charged with entertaining early risers in the capital from 7.30am.
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
North Dublin Community Radio November 9th 1986
From November 1986 this is a recording of North Dublin Community Radio off 100FM.
Starting at 9am, it’s the debut outing for Early Call with Dave & Tony.
This Radio Retro recording is by kind courtesy of Dave O’Connor
Longford Community Radio November 10th 1986
This is Ballinamuck-based Longford Community Radio from November 1986. This Monday lunchtime recording was made in Dungannon from 1071kHz.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Energy 103 November 13th 1986
This is Liam Quigley on the overnight shift for the Dublin pirate station Energy 103 on November 13th 1986. The recording starts at 12.40am.
Liam Quigley
Ths recording is by kind courtesy of Joe Rossa
The photo is of one of the design logos which were hanging on the walls around the Energy building. The logo came from a listener competition but was never used publicly. The image courtesy of Mike Mahon
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Heartbeat FM November 16th 1986
This is a short recording of the launch of Heartbeat FM, Dublin’s love-songs station.
The service started broadcasting at midday on November 15th 1986 with David Baker hosting a party on air!
As broadcast
Airchecked
West Country Radio November 28th 1986
From November 1986 this is a recording of the south Limerick based pirate station West Country Radio. On the air is Paul Fahy from 8.10pm.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This contribution is from the collection of Ian Biggar
Klas December 5th 1986
This is a recording of Dublin’s easy-listening station KLAS from December 5th 1986 featuring David Baker from 8.30pm.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
This recording is courtesy of Ian Biggar
Q102 December 17th 1986
From December 17th 1986 this is Greg Gaughran, aided and abetted by Anne Cassin (right), on the Dublin pirate Q102. The recording starts at 5.30pm.
This recording, and image of Anne Cassin in the Q102 Newsroom, is courtesy of Richie Wild
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy 103 December 27th 1986
This is Ernie Gallagher (right) on Energy 103 overnight on a Saturday morning over the festive period in December 1986. The recording starts at 2.09am.
This recording was very kindly donated to Radio Retro by Emmet Hand.
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002
Hot FM November 3rd 2003
From November 3rd 2003 this is a recording of Hot FM, the Dublin dance music pirate station, taken off 99.4MHz FM.
First on is Paul Duffy, and he’s followed by DJ Spiral.
Paul Duffy from 2.55pm – as broadcast
Paul Duffy from 2.55pm – music stripped out
DJ Spiral from 4pm – as broadcast
DJ Spiral from 4pm – music stripped out
Energy 103 November 20th 1986
From Thursday, November 20th, this is Liam Quigley on mid-morning for Energy 103, starting from just after the 10am News. The 11am News is read by Michael Lewis.
Liam Quigley
This recording is by kind courtesy of Mike Ormonde
Radio Retro – archiving Irish Radio broadcasts since 2002