Is pirate radio in Ireland all but dead ?

Mr. Rabbit

Apart from Radio North and Radio Star Country on AM, are there any pirate stations left in Ireland ?

I kind of miss Magic and the other border pirates, which haven't been on the air for quite some time now. In fact, I haven't heard any activity along the border for several years now.

I assume anything that did start up again would be silenced fairly quickly be Ofcom and Comreg ?

Jason Todd

I think there are still two in Waterford: Open Tempo FM (an indie/alternative station, which also features Polish programming) and Zenith Classic Rock. That's iirc.

Declan A Walsh

Jason Todd wrote: »

I think there are still two in Waterford: Open Tempo FM (an indie/alternative station, which also features Polish programming) and Zenith Classic Rock. That's iirc.

Zenith Classic Rock is not a pirate - it has had a number of temporary licenses and the rest of the time is online.

There are still a few in Dublin.
107.1 - Tonik Radio .. which has been going for about 3 years for OP's info.
93.2 - Play Dublin .Net - goes back about 5 years with a period inbetween when it was shutdown (originally Play FM).
92.1 - Ministry FM - started up this year but may be connected to a station that was around about 10 years ago.
Up until recently, there was NRG on 88.1 - not sure about its current status.
All the above are dance pirates. A couple of months ago, easy listening/love station EasiRadio was on 91.6. It could return.
A couple of weekends back, there was an automated oldies pirate on 1386kh AM, i.e. on Medium Wave. This is probably connected to Energy (Power) AM which used to be on 1395kh.

Jason Todd

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

Zenith Classic Rock is not a pirate - it has had a number of temporary licenses and the rest of the time is online.
.

I stand corrected!

end of the road

no, its very much not dead, its not like it used to be but still very much alive and well, and long may that be

marno21

KissFM are on air on 104.9 in Cork, blasting their signal around most of the county too. There's a pirate on 88.7 too, not sure what it's called these days as it's not strong enough for RDS out this part of the country. I assume Caroline is on 106.4 at the weekends and the ever present Cityview 87.5 is still more than likely on during evenings and weekends (neither of the two make it beyond the city boundaries let alone out as far as North Cork)

Infoanon

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

There are still a few in Dublin.
107.1 - Tonik Radio .. which has been going for about 3 years for OP's info.
93.2 - Play Dublin .Net - goes back about 5 years with a period inbetween when it was shutdown (originally Play FM).
92.1 - Ministry FM - started up this year but may be connected to a station that was around about 10 years ago.
Up until recently, there was NRG on 88.1 - not sure about its current status.
All the above are dance pirates. A couple of months ago, easy listening/love station EasiRadio was on 91.6. It could return.
A couple of weekends back, there was an automated oldies pirate on 1386kh AM, i.e. on Medium Wave. This is probably connected to Energy (Power) AM which used to be on 1395kh.

Various stations have appeared on 87.6 over recent months as well - could be the same station with different RDS displays.
NRG was raided by Comreg on July 12th - live high power broadcasts with professional sound and advertisements unfortunately tends to leads to raids.
Ministry on 92.1 I believe is the same Ministry that has suffered a number of raids over the last ten years
The 1386 is 'Energy' - the Energy name hasn't been used on air since the end of last year - not to sure what the future holds,

As for the future of Pirate radio - the 2003 raids were the death knell - most of the 'older' pirates would only go on air with a professional set up - that costs money and time - money that could/will be wiped out with a raid that could happen within hours,plus the probability of a fine and a record,and time - that is no longer available due to family and work commitments.

Much easier to set up an on-line automated station, where you will find a lot of the 'older' pirates these days

Mike 1972

As for the future of Pirate radio - the 2003 raids were the death knell -s

Think the significance of the 2003 raids is somewhat exaggurated. The emergence of new ways of listening to music/programming has been a much bigger factor in the decline of pirate radio. Having said that there will always be anoraks out there prepared to get on the air.

end of the road

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Think the significance of the 2003 raids is somewhat exaggurated.

it wasn't at the time though, dublin and ireland became a very different place pirate radio wise after the brootle attacks of 2003, where once we had enjoyed 24 7 pirates we went to them coming on air later in the evening and going off around midnight or a little later, this would be the case for a couple of years at least, it changed things all right.

Mike 1972 wrote: »

The emergence of new ways of listening to music/programming has been a much bigger factor in the decline of pirate radio.

good point, don't think it just effects pirate radio though but radio in general but to a lesser extent.

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Having said that there will always be anoraks out there prepared to get on the air.

hopefully, dublin would be a sorry state without a pirate or 2.

mike65

marno21 wrote: »

KissFM are on air on 104.9 in Waterford
blasting their signal around most of the county too. There's a pirate on 88.7 too, not sure what it's called these days as it's not strong enough for RDS out this part of the country. I assume Caroline is on 106.4 at the weekends and the ever present Cityview 87.5 is still more than likely on during evenings and weekends (neither of the two make it beyond the city boundaries let alone out as far as North Cork)

KissFM is a Cork station boy.

OpenTempo FM are on air in Waterford City at the weekends.

end of the road

Infoanon wrote: »

NRG was raided by Comreg on July 12th - live high power broadcasts with professional sound and advertisements unfortunately tends to leads to raids.

obviously just an excuse to get at least 1 pirate, 50 % cut in their budget would be nice but one can wish, NRG'S advertising wouldn't effect anyone as they would be promoting stuff the licenced stations wouldn't touch with a bargepole, but it seems they will bare the brunt of comregs actions, hopefully they will return, a rade would surely cost more then their set up and i can't think comreg enjoys the funding they once had (hopefully)

Infoanon wrote: »

As for the future of Pirate radio - the 2003 raids were the death knell - most of the 'older' pirates would only go on air with a professional set up - that costs money and time - money that could/will be wiped out with a raid that could happen within hours,plus the probability of a fine and a record,and time - that is no longer available due to family and work commitments.

true sadly, but at least they didn't silence it forever, us dance music lovers have stations dedicated to our music (even if they can be gone at any time its better then a couple of programs at the weekend)

Infoanon wrote: »

Much easier to set up an on-line automated station, where you will find a lot of the 'older' pirates these days

the only older pirates that i know of that are online are freedom 92 fm x fm and radio active, any others? (most of the current ones are online bar ministry which might be soon hopefully)

Mr. Rabbit

I've noticed Energy AM is now silent after being on the air for many years, which is a pity.

I have heard that station playing oldies on 1386 in the car while parked at Portavogie on the Ards peninsula, but I was under the impression it was some sort of community station. Can't quite make out the station name from the jingles as it's slightly too weak.

I noticed TCR weren't awarded a licence in the last round of community awards in NI (announced recently by Ofcom) so I wonder if they'll return on AM at some point ?

Mr. Rabbit

Much easier to set up an on-line automated station, where you will find a lot of
the 'older' pirates these days

Even Radio North has a very professional looking online feed.

Rock Solid

NRG FM shall return later this week after a visit from Comreg, lets hope they can continue for the summer, also theres a few micro pirates on air over the city.

Mr. Rabbit

Zenith Classic Rock is not a pirate - it has had a number of temporary licenses

and the rest of the time is online

It would be nice if Zenith were to morph into a nationwide classic rock station on AM, but that's probably wishful thinking.

Mike 1972

the only older pirates that i know of that are online are freedom 92 fm x fm and radio active, any others? (lly)

Hearbeat and Radio Caroline.

Infoanon

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Hearbeat and Radio Caroline.

ABC (Dublin) is also online

yiddo59

marno21 wrote: »

KissFM are on air on 104.9 in Cork, blasting their signal around most of the county too. There's a pirate on 88.7 too, not sure what it's called these days as it's not strong enough for RDS out this part of the country. I assume Caroline is on 106.4 at the weekends and the ever present Cityview 87.5 is still more than likely on during evenings and weekends (neither of the two make it beyond the city boundaries let alone out as far as North Cork)

In Cork in addition to those you mention who are all still going strong the station on 88.7 is Fusion and there's also a Capital on 87.8.

mick masterson

Heard s astation playing 80's rock on 99.5 also some activity in Dublin on 91.6 dance over modulated also low powered station 97.3 band .

end of the road

anyone know if ministry 92.1 is online? can't find it

mick masterson

end of the road wrote: »

anyone know if ministry 92.1 is online? can't find it

Not on line yet looking into it . Haven't got the time we once had getting live
on FM was difficult with the shortage of good sites available now .

end of the road

mick masterson wrote: »

Not on line yet looking into it .

thats a shame, glad its being looked into though and hopefully it will be up sometime soon with a bit of luck as it would be something good to listen to instead of the same old house the others are playing most of the time these days

Rock Solid

Tallaght Sound were on 99.5 on Monday night, seldom on these days.

wishwashwoo

<Keep it relevant to the thread please!>

Mr. Rabbit

Anyone know what happened to Tyrone Community Radio i.e. TCR ?

I gather they had applied for a long term community licence but don't think they were successful in the latest round of awards.

Thought they might have returned to MW especially with all the clear
frequencies these days.

CriticofScience

Is there a thread on here somewhere about Radioactive? I used to listen to it around 1992-ish....they always used to play loads of stuff like NoMeansNo, Fugazi, Dead Kennedys, Crass. Very righteous djs, which to a 15 year old as I was then, was all very exciting. Used to love the Freak Out show on a Sunday night. Lots of strange psychedelic, industrial and comedy stuff. Think those guys used to run the underground record shop on South William Street.

end of the road

CriticofScience wrote: »

Is there a thread on here somewhere about Radioactive? I used to listen to it around 1992-ish....they always used to play loads of stuff like NoMeansNo, Fugazi, Dead Kennedys, Crass. Very righteous djs, which to a 15 year old as I was then, was all very exciting. Used to love the Freak Out show on a Sunday night. Lots of strange psychedelic, industrial and comedy stuff. Think those guys used to run the underground record shop on South William Street.

http://www.radioactiveinternational.org . think these are the same lads

CriticofScience

end of the road wrote: »

http://www.radioactiveinternational.org . think these are the same lads

As soon as I clicked on that link, New Model Army came on the audio! :-)

FouxDaFaFa

Rascal Radio in Galway was good but stopped this year.

Mr. Rabbit

Kiss FM was back on again over December on 104.2. Good signal at this location. Off air again last Thursday so not sure if it was a raid or they were just testing the equipment.

hufpc8w3adnk65

3r4 pirate ships sailing the high seas down my end of the country.

0rt

theres sporadic broadcasting in newross every other weekend on random freq's.. has been for years.
No processing. Playlist.

end of the road

0rt wrote: »

theres sporadic broadcasting in newross every other weekend on random freq's.. has been for years.
No processing. Playlist.

any id for it?

0rt

i was told its been on, ive never heard it (im not down that way) and no rds that i know of..
I believe theres someone doing tv broadcasts with a powerpoint presentation to introduce.. or possibly the same fella?
Again just from what ive heard.

Trebor176

I've just discovered a station "25 Years" on 88.10 in Dublin. So, 25 years since the Super Pirates went silent? I have to say that the music they're playing is excellent. It's a nice change from the norm.

mightybashful

Trebor176 wrote: »

I've just discovered a station "25 Years" on 88.10 in Dublin. So, 25 years since the Super Pirates went silent? I have to say that the music they're playing is excellent. It's a nice change from the norm.

Wasn't it dec 31st 1987 they all went off air. Millennium 88 was the first new licensed station for Dublin of 1988. I remember listening to (and am sure I still have it on a tape somewhere) to Capital FM closedown that night. They went off air at midnight. But if you turned the volume up a bit you could still hear decent music.

Fuzzy Clam

mightybashful wrote: »

Wasn't it dec 31st 1987 they all went off air. Millennium 88 was the first new licensed station for Dublin of 1988. I remember listening to (and am sure I still have it on a tape somewhere) to Capital FM closedown that night. They went off air at midnight. But if you turned the volume up a bit you could still hear decent music.

It was end of 1988
I think there was slight confusion as to when they had to shut so some stations closed a day earlier than others.
Millenium doesn't count as it was an RTE station.

mightybashful

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

It was end of 1988
I think there was slight confusion as to when they had to shut so some stations closed a day earlier than others.
Millenium doesn't count as it was an RTE station.

Was millennium already up and running then? Thought it was for Dublin's 1000th year.

Trebor176

I'm not too familiar with the pirate stations, other than the names, and discovering the names that were on such and such a station. I was only two and a half at the end of 1988 I do have a love for 80s music, which the station is playing.

What's great is that jingles for the various pirates are being played, as well as jingles for DJs, such as Gareth O'Callaghan and Gerry Stevens. There was even a clip of the late Bob Gallico introducing the news.

mightybashful

Trebor176 wrote: »

I'm not too familiar with the pirate stations, other than the names, and discovering the names that were on such and such a station. I was only two and a half at the end of 1988 I do have a love for 80s music, which the station is playing.

What's great is that jingles for the various pirates are being played, as well as jingles for DJs, such as Gareth O'Callaghan and Gerry Stevens. There was even a clip of the late Bob Gallico introducing the news.

Bob Gallicio had the best voice on radio growing up

http://www.hotpress.com/archive/10089588.html

Infoanon

mightybashful wrote: »

Wasn't it dec 31st 1987 they all went off air. Millennium 88 was the first new licensed station for Dublin of 1988. I remember listening to (and am sure I still have it on a tape somewhere) to Capital FM closedown that night. They went off air at midnight. But if you turned the volume up a bit you could still hear decent music.

In Dublin Sunshine, Q102, Treble TR and Heartbeat all closed on Friday 30th 1988, Capital, Klas and others closed on Saturday 31st December 1988.

At the time there was a bit of confusion over the exact date the new legislation applied from.

St.Itas hospital radio was the first licenced service, Millenium was an RTE station.

Declan A Walsh

The current Dublin lineup of pirates seems to be:
88.1 - 25 Years
91.6 - NRG FM
107.1 - Dream 107.

Any updates?

mightybashful

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

The current Dublin lineup of pirates seems to be:
88.1 - 25 Years
91.6 - NRG FM
107.1 - Dream 107.

Any updates?

Looks like from next Monday 25 Years will be replaced by NRG on 88.1

Rock Solid

101.4 relaying 25 years, which is a tribute to the 1988 closedown.

end of the road

what type of music is it playing? has it advertised a website or anything?

Infoanon

end of the road wrote: »

what type of music is it playing? has it advertised a website or anything?

A station reminding Dublin of the great stations from 25 years ago - music is the hits you would have heard on Hot Hits Sunshine 101 and Q102 - gems in the last few minutes include 'when in Rome' / Huey Lewis / Sheila E etc

Jingles and promos from Sunshine, Q102, Energy103, Nova, Hope and WCAU are also featured

0rt

can anyone get some recordings?

Declan A Walsh

Infoanon wrote: »

A station reminding Dublin of the great stations from 25 years ago - music is the hits you would have heard on Hot Hits Sunshine 101 and Q102 - gems in the last few minutes include 'when in Rome' / Huey Lewis / Sheila E etc

Jingles and promos from Sunshine, Q102, Energy103, Nova, Hope and WCAU are also featured

The previous poster that you replied to was referring to Dream 107, not 25 Years! :

end of the road wrote: »

dream 107.1
what type of music is it playing? has it advertised a website or anything?

Dream 107 (from what I have heard of it) is a bizarre mixture of '60s adult pop/rock, '70s prog rock, '80s mainstream rock and a bit of dance music!! Perhaps its doing test transmissions at the moment.

Rock Solid wrote: »

101.4 relaying 25 years, which is a tribute to the 1988 closedown.

Is 101.4 a separate pirate or is it the same as the one on 88.1 (25 Years)?

Rock Solid

101.4 is a relay of 88.1 rds 25 years, it may have seperate Nova audio later, if anybody else can realy please do, we be on until midnight tomorrow, thanks.

end of the road

Infoanon wrote: »

A station reminding Dublin of the great stations from 25 years ago - music is the hits you would have heard on Hot Hits Sunshine 101 and Q102 - gems in the last few minutes include 'when in Rome' / Huey Lewis / Sheila E etc

Jingles and promos from Sunshine, Q102, Energy103, Nova, Hope and WCAU are also featured

sorry i meant dream 107.1, the title at the start of my post probably didn't show up?

Infoanon

Rock Solid wrote: »

101.4 is a relay of 88.1 rds 25 years, it may have seperate Nova audio later, if anybody else can realy please do, we be on until midnight tomorrow, thanks.

Just a suggestion but 101.5 is a clearer frequency and avoids the 10.7 issue with 101.4.

(92.1 and 94.3 are also clear)