Atlantic Sound was an ’80s Galway-based pirate radio station based in Forster Street. It was started with local backing by Alan Russell, who had been involved with Capitol Radio in Dublin.

There were test transmissions on Atlantic Sound for a few weeks and then Alan was heard on-air introducing songs and weather updates.

The station has two distinct histories. From launch it played a variety of music and had a specialist schedule during night hours.

In late summer 1984 Don Stevens, Keith York, Steve Marshall and a couple of more guys arrived from a station in Cork. At this point Al Russell resigned and the station transformed to a hot hits format.

Atlantic Sound lasted just a few more months, closing abruptly in June 1985.

The above posters are by kind courtesy of Al Russell. They reflect the station’s original format under the stewardship of Al, in particular the two distinct services that operated during daytime and nighttime hours.

Galway Advertiser – December 29th 1983 (Tap to open)

Connacht Tribune – March 2nd 1984 (Tap to open)

Station history compiled with the help of Al Russell and Shane Martin