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.
Radio Nova
Dublin
Radio Nova July 30th 1981
This is an early recording of Radio Nova, Dublin’s best-known station. Mike Edgar is on air on July 30th 1981 from 3.30pm with Peter Madison reading the news.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova August 13th 1981
This is Radio Nova recorded off 88.2MHz FM from August 13th 1981.
First we hear from Jason Maine from 5.38pm with Peter Madison reading the news.
Later in the evening Mike Edgar (and The Midnight Cowboy) are on air from 11.40pm.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova August 15th 1981
This is a recording of Radio Nova off 88.2MHz FM from August 15th 1981. The record and play & stop buttons were hit at various points across the day by a touring party from the DX Archive site.
First, we hear from John Clarke and Terry Riley on air from 8.44am.
Next, from 12.30pm, there’s more from John Clarke, along with Hugh O’Brien and Terry Riley.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova September 12th 1981
This is a recording from the day Radio Nova launched their medium wave transmitter on 846kHz following months of FM only broadcasts. John Clarke is on air on Saturday, September 12th 1981 from 8.50am.
This recording is by kind courtesy of Ken Baird / DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova October 15th 1981
From October 15th 1981 this is the Boss, Chris Cary on Radio Nova in Dublin.
This Sunday afternoon broadcast was recorded off 88.2MHz from 3.30pm.
Pete Moss reads the News.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova October 19th 1981
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
Radio Nova November 25th 1981
This is Chris Cary on Radio Nova from Dublin. The recording is off 846kHz and starts at 7.30am on Wednesday, November 25th 1981.
Terry Riley reads the News.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova December 3rd 1981
From December 3rd 1981 this is a recording of Tony Fenton (right) on Dublin pirate Radio Nova starting from 8.30am.
Terry Riley reads the News and reacts to the latest government plans for pirate radio.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova December 24th 1981
This is a Christmas Eve recording of Radio Nova off 846kHz. We join Tony Fenton in the hot seat from 5.50pm.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova December 25th 1981
Christmas Eve 1981 on Radio Nova in Dublin with Chris Cary from 12.50pm.
Chris is followed at 2pm by Terry Riley.
This recording was made off 846kHz.
Chris Cary
Terry Riley
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova January 10th 1982
From a snow-covered capital city this is Radio Nova excelling itself with Colm Hayes from 12.45pm, and then Jason Maine from 2pm on January 10th 1982.
Siobhán Purcell reads the News on a day that the weather brought Dublin, and surrounding counties, to a standstill.
Colm Hayes
Jason Maine
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with Gary Hogg & DX Archive
Radio Nova February 28th 1982
This is a recording of Jason Maine on a Sunday morning for the Dublin superpirate Radio Nova.
Also featuring Ken Hammond on News, it is from February 28th 1982 and starts at just before 8am.
Listen or download
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova March 3rd 1982
From March 3rd 1982 this is John Clarke (right) on Dublin station Radio Nova from 8.55pm.
Siobhán Purcell reads the News and reveals that the station were having sabotage issues.
Listen or download
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings with thanks to Ken Baird
Radio Nova April 1st 1982
From the early hours of April 1st 1982 this is the American Top 40 with Casey Kasem, a syndicated programme made popular in Dublin by Radio Nova. The recording starts at just before 1am and was taken from 88.2MHz.
Listen
This recording is with thanks to Ken Baird
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova April 11th 1982
This is the syndicated programme American Top 40 with Casey Kasem (right), which was aired in Dublin by Radio Nova. This recording starts at just after 1pm and was taken from 88.2MHz.
Listen
This recording was donated by Chris Ridley, original recording by Gary Camblin.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova April 24th 1982
An (airchecked) recording of Dublin superpirate Radio Nova from April 24th 1982. Taken from 88.2MHz it features the voices of Tony Allan, Siobhán Purcell on news and Don Allen.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova April 25th 1982
A (part-airchecked) recording of Dublin superpirate Radio Nova off 88.2MHz from the morning of April 25th 1982. Andy Archer is on air from 7.23.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova May 27th 1982
This is Andy Archer on Radio Nova, the Dublin superpirate. The recording starts at 11.30am and runs through lunchtime.
Tony Allan is the Newsreader.
Pictured is the station’s main studio in Herbert St, taken during a visit by the Anoraks UK team.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova June 29th 1982
Radio Nova celebrates one year on air with a birthday surprise from RTÉ.
From June 29th 1982, this is a recording of the Dublin station as they were forced to use an alternative to their main microwave link from Herbert St. The main link was under attack from signals emanating from an RTÉ-owned building in Rathmines. The jamming had started the day before but lasted just 30 minutes.
First, from 6.18pm, John Clarke is on air for the final 40 minutes of his afternoon show.
Next, the magazine programme Dublin Today features an interview with Éamonn Cooke of Radio Dublin
Then from 7.30pm, Jason Maine
Radio Retro: Archiving Irish radio broadcasts with the help of Ken Baird
Radio Nova July 10th 1982
From Saturday morning, July 10th 1982, this is a recording of Jason Maine on the Dublin station Radio Nova. We join the show at 9.30am.
Siobhán Purcell reads the News.
Listen
We thank Chris Ridley for the donation and Gary Camblin for making the recording
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova October 27th 1982
This is a recording of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on Radio Nova starting at 7.53am on the morning of October 27th 1982.
As broadcast
With the music stripped out
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Radio Nova October 28th 1982
From October 28th 1982 this is a recording of Tony Gareth on the Dublin superpirate Radio Nova from 5.50pm.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova December 14th 1982
This is Andy Archer on air for Radio Nova on December 14th 1982. The recording was made from 10.34am off 88.2MHz FMz in Dublin.
Radio Retro: Archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova December 18th 1982
From December 18th 1982 this is a recording of Dublin’s Radio Nova off 819kHz. First we hear from Dave Harvey at 4.30am, and then Tony Gareth from 6pm
Siobhán Purcell reads the News.
Dave Harvey
Tony Gareth
Radio Retro: Archiving Irish radio recordings in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova December 24th 1982
From Christmas Eve 1982 this is a recording of Radio Nova off 819kHz. Tony Gareth is on the air from 11.15am.
This recording was made by Ken Baird in Scotland and we thank him and DX Archive for the use of it
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova December 25th 1982
This is a recording of Andy Archer on Radio Nova off 819kHz from Christmas Day in 1982.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Radio Nova December 26th 1982
This is Chris Cary and Hugh O’Brien taking calls from listeners on Radio Nova in the very early hours of St Stephen’s Day in 1982. The recording is off 88.2MHz. Roland Burke takes over from around 1am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Radio Nova February 7th 1983
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
Radio Nova April 16th 1983
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
Radio Nova May 14th 1983
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]
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
Radio Nova July 19th 1983
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
Radio Nova August 11th 1983
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
Radio Nova August 12th 1983
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
Radio Nova September 20th 1983
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
Radio Nova September 25th 1983
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.
Radio Nova October 29th 1983
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
Radio Nova November 1st 1983
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
Radio Nova November 18th 1983
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
Radio Nova November 19th 1983
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
Radio Nova November 22nd 1983
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
Radio Nova January 19th 1984
From January 19th 1984 this is Radio Nova with Colm Hayes from 10.20am. He’s followed by John Clarke from midday.
This recording was made in Scotland by Ken Baird so understandably suffers from interference. It is, however, of huge historical interest. See newspaper cuttings…
Colm Hayes
Note: around ten minutes is lost in the above recording from around the hour mark…
John Clarke
This recording is by very kind courtesy of Ken Baird / DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova January 23rd 1984
This is Radio Nova from January 23rd 1984.
We join Declan Meehan’s Brekkie Trekkie with Bob Gallico from 7.30am.
The iconic duo are followed by Colm Hayes at 9am.
And then it’s John Clarke from midday.
7.30am Declan & Bob
9am Colm Hayes
Midday John Clarke
This recording was made in Leeds by Gary Hogg, some 250 miles from the transmission site. The local ILR station Radio Aire was on the next channel of 828kHz, hence the splattering across 819kHz. As this was January there was also foreign interference, hence the hum, especially during the breakfast show. Even so, the signal was listenable.
There had been rumours of another raid this week, as the station had brought its 50kW transmitter on line. RTÉ had also started a sustained jamming campaign against the station a few days earlier. As an aside they had also been jamming South Coast Radio and ERI broadcasts in Cork.
This recording is by very kind courtesy of Gary Hogg
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova January 25th 1984
Radio Nova off 819kHz on January 25th 1984. Starting at 7.11am and running through to 1.15pm, this is a straight 6 hours recording featuring the iconic pairing of Declan Meehan & Bob Gallico, then Colm Hayes from 9am, followed by John Clarke from midday.
It is interesting to note that this recording was made in Leeds by Gary Hogg of DX Archive.
Radio Nova February 6th 1984
From 3am on February 6th 1984, this is Lawrence John on air for Radio Nova.
Radio Nova February 25th 1984
This is Lawrence John on the overnight shift for Radio Nova recorded on February 25th 1984. The recording starts at 3am.
Listen or download
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova March 10th 1984
Hugh O’Brien covering the afternoon shift for Radio Nova on March 10th 1984. This recording starts at 2.26pm and also features Bernie Jameson on News.
Radio Nova April 23rd 1984
This is an afternoon recording of Greg Gaughran (pictured right) on Radio Nova from April 23rd 1984 starting at 3.30pm.
Listen or download
Recording with thanks to Gary Hogg; photograph courtesy of Richie Wild
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova May 7th 1984
From May 7th 1984 this is programming from Dublin station Radio Nova recorded off 88.2MHz. The four recordings span much of the day from early morning through late evening.
First, from 7am, Bob Gallico is reading the news leading into his shared programme with Declan Meehan.
Following them Colm Hayes is on air from 9am.
Later in the day we catch the last hour and 10 minutes of Greg Gaughran’s afternoon programme.
Then from 7pm the ever-popular Jason Maine takes over for the evening broadcast.
These Radio Nova recordings are courtesy of Gary Hogg
These recordings were made at a time when RTÉ were engaged in a jamming campaign against the Dublin superpirates Radio Nova and Sunshine Radio. Nova’s studios had been relocated to the transmitter site at Nova Park in Rathfarnham because the microwave links from the previous studio location at Herbert Street were being targetted. To make things more difficult for RTÉ, Radio Nova were also broadcasting on 102.7MHz (in addition to 88.2MHz) and had two MW transmitters in action as well on 729kHz and 819kHz. Nova sister station Kiss FM had been broadcasting on 102.7MHz but it had been closed in January as a result of the jamming.
Radio Nova June 8th 1984
This is a recording of the Dekkie Wekkie Brekkie Trekkie from June 8th 1984. Radio Nova’s breakfast programme featured Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico (pictured) taken off 738kHz from 7am. The two are in top form and the station is on a new lease of life following a few turbulent months.
Listen
Photograph courtesy of Richie Wild
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova July 9th 1984
From July 9th 1984, this is Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on the Dekkie Wekkie Brekkie Trekkie for Radio Nova.
The recording is off 738kHz and starts at 6.15am.
Following them, there’s about 20 minutes of Colm Hayes’ show from 9am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Radio Nova July 11th 1984
This recording is of Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on the Deckie Wekkie Brekkie Trekkie for Radio Nova on July 11th 1984, starting at 7.10am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Radio Nova July 13th 1984
From July 13th 1984, this is Declan Meehan’s last show for Dublin superpirate Radio Nova before departing for Capital Radio.
Recorded off 738kHz, we join the show at 8.10am. Bob Gallico reads the news and does his usual inserts. And there’s a short snippet of Colm Hayes, who follows at 9am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Radio Nova July 14th 1984
Lawrence John on the early Saturday morning shift for Radio Nova. The date for this 6am recording is July 14th 1984.
Radio Nova July 19th 1984
The morning show from Dublin station Radio Nova with Colm Hayes and Bob Gallico on a day that Ireland shook – literally!
Bernadette Jameson:- I was amused to hear my voice in an ad break in that recording, advertising Paul Penders natural hair and skin care. Googled them, found they are still going, so I ordered stuff. Must be the longest reaction to a radio ad ever!
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with DX Archive
Radio Nova July 21st 1984
From July 21st 1984 this is the American syndicated programme Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 as it played out on Radio Nova on 102.7FM.
Listen
With great thanks to Jess Codd
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova August 26th 1984
This is Jason Maine, pictured right in the older Herbert St studio, on the Dublin superpirate Radio Nova from the afternoon of August 26th 1984. At this time Nova were located in Rathfarnham.
The recording starts just as the 4pm News comes to an end.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova September 2nd 1984
From a Sunday morning in September 1984 this is a recording of Chris Barry from 9.30am, followed by Greg Gaughran at 10am, on Radio Nova. Bernie Jameson reads the news.
First from 9.30am…Chris Barry followed by Bernie Jameson on the News at 10
Then Greg Gaughran frm 10.03am…
Alternatively you can listen to the whole recording in airchecked format
Radio Nova September 28th 1984
Friday September 28th 1984. The question posed to listeners of Radio Nova was: “What would you do with £5,000?”
To win, you had to be the 50th caller once the station had played three particular songs in a row. The promos had been running for weeks but this day was the last day it could possibly happen, and it had to happen before 7pm.
First in these recordings, from 11.30am, John Clarke gives some clues to when it would happen. There are large gaps in the recordings so his show is split into three parts.
Following John, there’s Greg Gaughran’s show from 2pm – split into two parts due to a large gap in the recording.
There’s a choice of listening with the music stripped out or to hear the output exactly as broadcast (it becomes very important to realise it is presented here exactly as it was broadcast).
First from 11.25am…this is John Clarke either as broadcast or airchecked
Staying with John Clarke from 12.45pm, again either as broadcast or airchecked
Finally John Clarke with the last 15 minutes of his show – as broadcast or airchecked
From 2pm this is Greg Gaughran as broadcast or airchecked
We rejoin Greg Gaughran from 4pm, again as broadcast or airchecked
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg
Radio Nova October 24th 1984
From October 24th 1984 this is John Clarke on Dublin’s Radio Nova from 10.41am.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova November 7th 1984
This recording is from Radio Nova, the Dublin superpirate, and features Emperor Rosko’s programme from November 7th 1984. We join him at 6.20pm.
Following Rosko we hear from Bernie Jameson and George Long on the 7pm News
Listen
This recording is with kind courtesy of Emmet Hand
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova December 25th 1984
Christmas Day 1984 on Radio Nova. First, we have Denis Murray from 10.45am and he’s followed by Tony Allan (right), along with an assortment of guests, from 2pm.
10:45 Denis Murray
14:00 Tony Allan
Photograph of Tony Allan is by very kind courtesy of Joseph King
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova December 31st 1984
Radio Nova says goodbye to their annus horribilis. Tony Allan (right) sees in 1985 with the help of plenty of studio invasions. This recording has large segments missing and is mostly airchecked.
Listen
This recording is courtesy of Chris Ridley; photo is thanks to Joseph King
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova January 10th 1985
This is a recording of Peter Madison (pictured) on Radio Nova, the Dublin superpirate, from the afternoon of January 10th 1985.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2012
Radio Nova January 21st 1985
This is Tony Allan on the afternoon shift for Dublin’s Radio Nova. The recording is from January 21st 1985 and starts at 2.30pm.
This recording is with thanks to Chris Ridley
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova March 25th 1985
From the afternoon of March 25th 1985 this is a recording of Radio Nova, the Dublin station broadcasting from Rathfarnham.
First, we catch the last ten minutes or so of Greg Gaughran’s show leading to the 1pm News with Bob Gallico and Mark Weller.
Next up is Tony McKenzie.
Greg Gaughran
Tony McKenzie
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova April 1st 1985
This is Tony McKenzie introducing AM Stereo to Radio Nova, the Dublin superpirate based in Nova Park, Rathfarnham.
The date is April 1st 1985 and the recording starts at 2.40pm with the changeover, a first outside the USA according to the station’s engineers, due straight after the 3pm News with Mark Weller.
Tony McKenzie
With huge thanks to Ken Baird / DX Archive
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova May 20th 1985
This is Rick Dees’ American Music Magazine as broadcast on Dublin’s Radio Nova on May 20th 1985. The recording starts just before the 9am News read by Bob Gallico.
Rick Dees
Radio Retro: archiving Irish Radio Recordings since 2002
This Radio Nova broadcast is a Radio Retro original
Radio Nova May 31st 1985
This is a recording of a Radio Nova outside broadcast from the Nutgrove Shopping Centre from May 31st 1985.
It features Greg Gaughran and Colm Hayes, both pictured at the OB, and it starts at 3.10pm.
This recording also features Mark Weller reading the news.
This Radio Nova recording is a Radio Retro original
Radio Nova June 6th 1985
This is a recording of Radio Nova, the Dublin superpirate, which starts at just before midnight on June 6th 1985.
It features the final of the Funny Bubble Competition (an entry form is seen here in the Sunday World) live from Nova Park.
A whole host of Nova personalities – Tony Allan, John Clarke, Bob Gallico, Chris Cary & Colm Hayes – are involved as the winner is chosen from 12 finalists.
Henry Owens plays the tunes back in the studio and Bernie Jameson reads the news.
This recording was made in the NW of England and conditions are variable for the duration.
This Radio Nova recording / image is with kind courtesy of Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Radio Nova July 4th 1985
This is Henry Owens sitting in on Radio Nova’s Breakfast Show on July 4th 1985. The recording was made off 102.7MHz and starts at 7.25am.
Radio Nova July 5th 1985
This is a recording of Ric Harris on Radio Nova from July 5th 1985. It starts at 5.35pm.
Radio Nova July 6th 1985
From 6am on Saturday, July 6th 1985 this is a recording of the unique talents of Peter Madison (below) on air for Dublin station Radio Nova. David Johnson is on news.
Radio Nova July 14th 1985
A recording of The Boss on Radio Nova. Presenting the Euro Top 40 on July 14th 1985, this is Chris Cary with the best five from 3.40pm.
There’s also a brief snippet of the 4pm news with Bernie Jameson.
Radio Nova August 10th 1985
From early morning on August 10th 1985 this is Peter Madison (pictured) on the air across all of Radio Nova’s and Magic 103’s frequencies. Dave Johnson reads the News.
Photograph by courtesy of Richie Wild
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio recordings since 2002
Radio Nova September 19th 1985
This is a recording of Dave Harvey on Breakfast with Bob Gallico from 6am on September 19th 1985 on Radio Nova.
As broadcast
Alternatively you can listen in airchecked format
Radio Nova September 21st 1985
This is a recording of a Radio Nova outside broadcast from September 1985. The Dublin station were set up in the Arnotts store in the city centre.
On air, as we join the broadcast, is Tony McKenzie (right) from 2pm.
George Long reads the 3pm News.
Then, from 4pm Dave Harvey (left) and Bob Gallico (below) entertain the listeners at home and in Arnotts.
Bernie Jameson reads the news and Barry Francis gives the latest sport updates.
Tony McKenzie from 2pm
Dave Harvey and Bob Gallico from 4pm
Listen with the music stripped out…
All images are from the Arnotts outside broadcast and are by very kind courtesy of Barry Flynn
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova September 24th 1985
From the very early hours of September 24th 1985, this is the last 15 minutes of Paul Kavanagh’s programme on Radio Nova, running until 1am, followed by the first 15 minutes of Mke Duggan’s overnight shift.
Enjoy the recording as it was broadcast
Alternatively you can listen in airchecked format
Radio Nova October 7th 1985
This is the very first ever outing for Radio Nova’s Zoo Crew. Colm Hayes, Bob Gallico and Dave Harvey were all in the Dublin studio on the morning of October 7th 1985.
The quality of this recording is not great but its historical value makes it worth listening to and archiving.
Listen as broadcast…
Listen with the music stripped out…
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova October 25th 1985
From the morning of October 25th 1985 this is a recording of The Zoo Crew from The Nut Hut on Radio Nova.
The quality at the start of this recording is not great but its historical value makes it worth listening to and archiving.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova December 24th 1985
Christmas Eve morning with Radio Nova’s Zoo Crew from 1985. Colm Hayes, Bob Gallico and assorted guests keep the party flowing from 7.40am.
From one end of the day to the other as John O’Hara plays his last tune before handing over to Jessie Brandon just as the clocks strike midnight for Christmas Day – and All Night Nova.
Radio Nova December 25th 1985
Christmas Day on Radio Nova in 1985 with George Talbot from just after midday.
Radio Nova January 3rd 1986
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
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
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
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
Radio Nova November 18th 1987
From November 18th 1987 this is a recording of a brand new but very familiar radio station in Dublin. Radio Nova was back from the dead with live programming having commenced earlier.
We join Niall McGowan from 9.15am.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Energy/Nova Power 103 November 25th 1987
November 25th 1987 was a historic day in Irish radio as it seen the merger of Energy 103 with the recently relaunched Radio Nova. Nova had reappeared on the Dublin FM band a couple of weeks earlier – 20 months after the hugely successful station had ceased broadcasting.
Here we have a selection of recordings from the day, starting with Niall McGowan and Cassidy Jones on Energy Power 103FM from 12.30pm leading up to the merger.
We also have a few airchecks from the rest of the day giving a flavour of the mood at the station.
12:30: As broadcast
12: 30 Airchecked
15: 50 Mainly Airchecked
18: 00 Dublin Today – Airchecked
19: 55 John O’Hara
Niall McGowan:-
Wow. Thank you for the memories we were all so happy in those days. “FREE” to play DJ and just have fun. In hindsight, we did not know just how much freedom and fun we had. I have always considered myself to be lucky to be on such great stations with such great people. Thanks.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Nova Power 103 November 26th 1987
Following on from the merger between Energy 103 and Radio Nova which took place the day before, this is a selection of recordings from the ‘new’ station’s first full day on the air.
Right: The Evening Herald welcomes Radio Nova back onto the airwaves. Click to read…
From November 26th 1987 we start with the first link from Liam Coburn at midnight.
Then from 6.45am Liam introduces the new look Breakfast Club with Cassidy Jones joining Bob Gallico and Lisa Moore from 7am.
And then we have the former Breakfast Clubber, Pat Courtenay, from 11.11am.
00:00 Liam Coburn opens his show
06:45 Liam Coburn leads in to Breakfast Club
11:11 Pat Courtenay
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Nova Power 103 November 27th 1987
Following on from the merger between Energy 103 and Radio Nova which took place two days previous, this is a recording of the Breakfast Club with Cassidy Jones, Bob Gallico and Lisa Moore from Friday, November 27th 1987.
The programme is part-airchecked.
08:34 Airchecks
09:07 As broadcast
09:50 Airchecks
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Main recording by kind courtesy of Jess Codd
Nova Power 103 December 3rd 1987
This is Pat Courtenay around lunchtime on Nova Power 103FM from December 3rd 1987. Teena Gates and Bob Gallico are on News and also help with comic inserts.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Nova Power 103 December 10th 1987
From December 10th 1987, this is Pat Courtenay from 1.30pm on Nova Power 103FM. Teena Gates is on News.
Listen
This recording is courtesy of Jess Codd; photo thanks to Mike Mahon
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Nova Power 103 December 12th 1987
From Radio Nova’s short-lived return to Dublin’s FM band this is a recording of Rick Dee’s Weekly Top 40 from December 12th 1987. Starting at midday, this episode features Bruce Vidal sitting in for Rick.
Listen
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Power 103 December 14th 1987
From December 14th 1987, this is a recording of…emmm…..Power 103?!! It had previously been called Nova Power 103 following a merger between Energy and Radio Nova on November 25th, just a few weeks earlier.
An injunction had been granted to the receiver of the original Radio Nova restraining the team behind the newly merged station from using the name.
These snippets are from Pat Courtenay’s show which was on air not long after the court decision became effective.
Listen
The photo is with thanks to Mike Mahon
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Radio Nova August 1st 1988
This recording from August 1st 1988 of Radio Nova’s satellite-delivered incarnation starts at 3.15pm with Cassidy Jones on air leading to the 4pm news which featured Teena Gates on an insert for the Dublin relay.
Radio Nova August 19th 1988
Recorded directly from the Intelsat satellite feed, this is Radio Nova International from August 19th 1988.
Starting from 9.35am, we join Paul Burnett for the end of his show. He’s followed at 10am by Pat Courtenay.
Paul Burnett
Pat Courtenay
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts in collaboration with Gary Hogg / DX Archive
Click on the name to hear lots more from Radio Nova or Pat Courtenay
Radio Nova September 7th 1988
This is the Nova Night Network from just after midnight on September 7th 1988. Pat Courtenay is on the air in this recording which was taken from Westsound Ayr on 96.7MHz.
Listen or download
This recording is thanks to Ian Biggar.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
Click on the name to hear lots more from Radio Nova or Pat Courtenay
Radio Nova December 17th 1988
This recording of Radio Nova’s satellite-delivered incarnation dates from December 17th 1988 and features the Bossman, Chris Cary, getting his hands dirty on the Nova Night Network.
RADIO NOVA October 2nd 1990
This is a recording of the satellite-delivered Radio Nova as broadcast on October 2nd 1990. Chris Cary and guests give consumer tips and advice on the fledgling domestic satellite TV scene on the Satellite Surgery programme.
Radio Nova October 19th 1990
This is a recording of the Astra satellite-delivered Radio Nova as broadcast on October 19th 1990. The show is Satellite Surgery, which gave consumer tips and advice on the fledgling domestic satellite TV scene.
Radio Nova November 9th 1990
This is a recording of the Astra satellite-delivered Radio Nova as broadcast on November 9th 1990. The show is Satellite Surgery, which gave consumer tips and advice on the fledgling domestic satellite TV scene.
Radio Nova October 27th 1983
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