Originally operating as a pirate radio station under the name 'Slaneyside', those responsible for the station successfully bid for a single available broadcast licence during the late 1980s. The winning consortium (who were in competition with another pirate station named Community Radio Wexford) were awarded the licence following an application and oral presentation. These were given in Waterford on 27 April 1989. The station launched on 20 October 1989. The station was initially assigned 99.2FM by the then Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC), as this frequency was assigned to Mount Leinster. The station changed its name from 'Slaneyside' to 'South East Radio' during the summer of 1989 - prior to the launch. RTÉ broadcaster Noel Andrews joined the organisation briefly to assist in the setting up the station.