Bob Conway

Declan A Walsh

Yesterday, while driving a car that has DAB, I availed of the opportunity to scan the FáilteDAB stations. I happened to stop at Classic Hits 80s as I liked the song being played at that moment and I heard a familiar voice presenting. I was on the verge of figuring out who it was when he said his name - Bob Conway! It was great to hear him again.

Bob has an interesting mix of previous radio experience. He was with the pirate Radio Dublin in the late 1970s and early 1980s calling himself Martin Clifden - I suspect that was his first pirate. I think I possibly did hear him then doing rock shows and I think he took over that particular slot from Pat James. I definitely did hear him during the mid 1980s on Capitol Radio as Martin Cullinane. He was there for the launch of its alter ego night time service Nitesky Radio in 1986 but left shortly afterwards.

Bob's previous legal radio experience included 2FM, *Lite FM (now Q102), *Dublin's Country 106.8 (now Sunshine 106.8), Today FM, East Coast FM and KFM. Bob had left the commercial radio scene, but, during the pandemic, Bob turned up on online station More Music Ireland. *Part of the original schedule of presenters in both cases.

It's good to hear Bob again on the radio. As it happens, Matt Dempsey, a former presenter on Capitol Radio/Nitesky Radio, is the Head of Music on the regular Classic Hits, but has also been the station manager for Classic Hits 80s during its temporary licenses runs. Presumably, he is still involved with it. They could share a few stories from their respective times with the former pirate.

ford fiesta

Martin Cullinan as mentioned above is his real name !!

Bob appeared on Classic Hits 80s when they were on FM after Christmas 2024, on the Christmas FM frequencies.

California Dreamer

"As it happens, Matt Dempsey, a former presenter on Capitol Radio/Nitesky Radio, is the Head of Music on the regular Classic Hits"

That explains a lot about the CH music!