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
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 NOVA August 13th 1981
Radio Nova from August 1981 with Jason Maine on air and Peter Madison reading the news. This recording, off 88.2MHz, starts at 5.38pm.
RADIO NOVA August 13th 1981
Mike Edgar (and The Midnight Cowboy) on air for Dublin’s Radio Nova in August 13th 1981 from 11.40pm. This recording is off 88.2MHz.
RADIO NOVA August 15th 1981
John Clarke and Terry Riley on air for Dublin’s Radio Nova on August 15th 1981 from 8.44am. This recording is off 88.2MHz.
Radio Nova
John Clarke, Hugh O’Brien and Terry Riley on air for Dublin’s Radio Nova on August 15th 1981. This recording is off 88.2MHz and starts at 12.30pm.
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 December 24th 1981

This is a Christmas Eve recording of Radio Nova off 846kHz. We join Tony Fenton on 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
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 NOVA
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 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 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 since 2002
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 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
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 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
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, which ran on Radio Nova on the morning of November 19th 1983. Gary Owens presents the show and David Malone was on News.
Soundtrack of the 60s was a syndicated radio show.
Listen as broadcast
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
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
From 3am on February 6th 1984, this is Lawrence John on air for Radio Nova.
Radio Nova
Hugh O’Brien covering the afternoon shift for Radio Nova on March 10th 1984. This recording starts at 4.26pm.
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 DX Archive
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 July 9th 1984

From July 9th 1984, this is Declan Meehan and Bob Gallico on the Dekki Wekki Brekki Trekki 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 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 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 twp 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 exactly a 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 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
Radio Nova January 10th 1985

This is a recording of Peter Madison (pictured) on Radio Nova, the Dublin superpirate, on the afternoon of January 10th 1985.
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 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 (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 winners are chosen.
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 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 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 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
Three recordings of Dublin superpirate Radio Nova from March 16th 1986.
First up we join Dave Johnson as he concludes the first hour of this week’s European Top 40 at 12.55pm.
Next, we join him 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
With thanks to Gary Hogg – DX Archive
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 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
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 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.
Lite FM December 24th 2003

This is a recording of Dublin’s easy-listening licensed station Lite FM from Christmas Eve 2003.
Radio Retro: archiving Irish radio broadcasts since 2002
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 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