WBEN broadcast to the Cork area on 1386kHz MW and 98.5MHz FM during the mid to late 1980's, and was on the air during a visit to the city in 1986. Behind the mic at the time was none other than Nick Richards, ex offshore Radio Caroline presenter. Nick was one of the four rescued in 1980 from a sinking Mi-Amigo. The AM transmissions ceased after about 3 or 4 months in 1986 leaving 98.5MHz to cover the city.

We do not really have much info about WBEN, other than the name coming from the well known Buffalo NY station that broadcasts to this day on 930kHz and can sometimes be heard in Europe.

Their AM frequency was a busy one in Ireland. Carousel Navan, North Cork Community Radio, Kandy in Co Galway, and KCR Kilkenny all used the channel. And at night there was also trouble from the mega powerhouse Radio Moscow transmitter at Kalliningrad.

In late 1987 WBEN made a name change to South Coast Radio and continued to broadcast with this name until legislation in December 1988. It made its final closedown just after midnight on 1st January 1989.

Two stickers from when the station was advertising its AM transmissions on 1386kHz

Neil Francis in the WBEN studio in 1986 by kind courtesy of Steve West. Sadly these were the only two slides taken on the visit.