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THE FRC IRELAND SECTION: Intro - FRC Newsletter - FRC Sounds Alternative - 1978 in radio - Print era ends - FRC on the radio

The Free Radio Campaign Ireland by Kieran Murray

1981 FRC Ireland – The Printing Chapter Comes To A Close

The final edition of ‘Sounds Alternative’ was #14 in March 1981.

As I mentioned earlier, in May 1978 I was the first voice heard on Radio Carousel (Dundalk) and I had made the move away from Dublin up to Dundalk. I had a full time job and Hugh Hardy (RIP) – the station owner – made sure that I got my salary each and every Friday.

Tap for Sound Alternative's final edition

Over time, Hugh became quite upset and annoyed and started to give me grief as he thought that my publications were being unfair to his station by giving promotion and exposure to the competitor station(s) in Dundalk.

He was annoyed at the story about North East Radio in ‘Sounds Alternative’ #12. He also was annoyed that Radio Dundalk and North East Radio had been listed in the ‘Tune-In’ section, that listed all the stations’ names, frequencies and addresses right across Ireland (even though his own station was also listed).

This was despite the fact that ‘Sounds Alternative’ #10 featured an article on a listenership survey that showed Radio Carousel (Dundalk) to be the most listened to station in the north-east (very dubious!). It also carried a Carousel Logo. Plus, ‘Sounds Alternative’ #5 also carried a report on Radio Carousel (Dundalk).

Hugh just couldn’t quite grasp the fact that FRC – Ireland was about all Free Radio, not just his station. The fact that he was employing me, paying my wages each Friday, did not give him the right to influence me or have any say in the contents of the magazine.

So, essentially to shut Hugh Hardy down and get him off my back, I decided to run with a Radio Carousel sticker that displayed the Dundalk wavelength (265 metres) and the newly established Radio Carousel (Drogheda) on 215 metres on the front page.

The final edition of Sounds Alternative’ #14 featured an interview with Eamon Cooke – and by this time, Radio Dublin was on-air 24 hours a day; there was a feature on Radio Carousel (Drogheda) (which put a smile at last on Hugh Hardy’s face!).

Other articles in that final edition included: news on Radio Caroline (the offshore station), Citizen’s Band Radio, Premier Dublin Radio (which I would eventually work on, many years later); a newly launched FRC Switzerland, plus the usual fully comprehensive ‘Tune-In’ section.

1981 FRC – Ireland – ‘Sounds Alternative’ Why Did It End? (1981)

There were a number of reasons why ‘Sounds Alternative’ came to an end.

I had moved to Dundalk in 1978 (to work full-time on Radio Carousel).

I was no longer able to keep an eye (and ear) on radio developments in the capital city.

I used to go back home to Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, one weekend out of 4, so that restricted the time I had to compile the magazine and to gather news for it.

I asked the subscribers for help, but no-one offered to take up the cause…

As a result, ‘Sounds Alternative’ #14 (March 1981) became the last printed publication of FRC Ireland.

April 1976 – April 1977 ‘Newsletter’ (5 issues) These can all be read by tapping here.

August 1977 – March 1981 ‘Sounds Alternative’ These can all be read by tapping here.

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