Dr Don’s final show on ARD

Dr Don's final show on ARD
Don Moore (left) and ARD backer Bernard Llewellyn after a raid on 31.01.78 (photo Eric Luke/Irish Press).

This is a recording of the final show by the late Don Moore on ARD in September 1982, towards the end of the station’s run. Dr Don, as he was known on air, was credited with developing ARD into a serious player in the Dublin radio market at the end of the 1970s and start of the 1980s.

The lunchtime show features Don’s trademark zaniness with comic inserts and jokes, some of which would be off-colour by today’s standards. Don was an irreverant broadcaster, but the fact that ARD was coming to an end probably meant that he was even less concerned about ruffling feathers. Although Don makes no farewell announcement at the end of the show, he doesn’t commit to returning the following day. Taking over at 2pm, the next DJ Seán Hannon hopes that Don will be back sometime in the future. The label on the cassette itself refers to ‘Dr Don final’ so it seems likely that this was his last show.

Dr Don's final show on ARD
Original cassette label from Anoraks Ireland Collection.

The recording was made on Wednesday 1st September 1982 from 99.9 FM between 1301-1413. It is from the Anoraks Ireland Tapes Collection, donated to us by Paul Davidson. ARD closed just over two weeks later on 15th September.

Dr. Don hosts a phone-in on ARD

Dr. Don hosts a phone-in on ARD
Don Moore (left) and ARD backer Bernard Llewellyn after a raid on 31.01.78 (photo Eric Luke/Irish Press).

ARD (Alternative Radio Dublin) first broadcast on July 31st 1976 on 217 metres. It was set up by Declan Meehan, Mark Story and Davitt Kelly (RIP). Following a split at Radio Dublin, the late Don Moore (Dr. Don) joined ARD and it moved to 1161 kHz (announcing 257 metres), next to its rival on 253 metres. The competition between Radio Dublin and ARD forced up standards as both stations experimented with extending broadcast hours and more professional programming. Don Moore developed ARD into a credible station in its own right and planned to seek a licence.

In this recording from 1978, Dr. Don is heard hosting a lively phone-in on a Sunday afternoon. Listeners sing their favourite songs on air and appreciate Don’s zany style, corny jokes and canned laughter. We get a real sense of a rapport with listeners and this recording reminds us that Don was a gifted and natural broadcaster. The voices of the late Tony Allen and Dave C are heard on ads and promos.

This recording was made from 1161 kHz (announcing 257 metres) from 1620-1700 on 4th June 1978. Thanks to Ian Biggar for the donation. 

Dr. Don closes Radio Dublin in 1976

Dr. Don closes Radio Dublin in 1976
The late Don Moore pictured in the Sunday Press on 04.02.1979.

Under the direction of the late Don Moore, Radio Dublin began night-time broadcasting in 1976, expanding the station’s presence on air beyond the usual Sunday afternoon slot. However, the extended hours drew the attention of the authorities and Radio Dublin was raided on Wednesday 15th September 1976.

This recording was made from 227 metres medium wave on Friday 17th September and was the station’s final night-time broadcast for the foreseeable future. A subdued Dr. Don opens the half-hour broadcast, which contains plenty of pirate-themed music. There are also recordings of other DJs such as Dave C., Paul Downey and John Walsh (nothing to the John Walsh of this site!).

Listeners are urged to join the Radio Dublin club to support the station. It would be another year before Radio Dublin began periods of full-time broadcasting in September 1977, prompting the transition from the pirates as hobbyists to more serious stations. This recording was made originally by Kieran Murray and was kindly shared by Ian Biggar.

Dr. Don and Prince Terry on Radio Dublin

Dr. Don and Prince Terry on Radio Dublin
L-R: Eddie Caffrey, Ken Harley, Brian Greene and Don Moore at the Pirate.ie meet-up in 2018.

This recording features two of the early pioneers of Radio Dublin, Dr Don (Don Moore, RIP) and Prince Terry (Roger Lloyd). It was made from 253 metres on Sunday 22nd February 1976 from about 2pm and is airchecked. Don is his usual flamboyant self and the canned laughter and Tarzan sound effects only add to the atmosphere of anarchy. Other DJs who get a mention are ‘Cool Enough Seamus’ and ‘Jiving Joey’ and we hear a few links from Seamus whose real name is the less exotic Des Byrne. He is followed by Roger Lloyd who is very happy to have received 10 letters during the week. The postal address given is 90 Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Thanks to Ian Biggar for sharing this recording, which was made originally by Kieran Murray.

The Pirate.ie Podcast #9: Our audio tribute to Don Moore (RIP)

The Pirate.ie Podcast #9: Our audio tribute to Don Moore (RIP)
L-R Ian Biggar, Roger Lloyd and Don Moore at the Pirate.ie meet-up in October 2018.

It was with sadness that we learned recently of the death of Don Moore, one of the early pioneers of Irish pirate radio in the crucial period of the mid- to late-1970s. Dr Don, as he was known on air, was the operator of Radio Westside, a shortwave station later called Westside Radio International. He became involved in the early days of Radio Dublin before moving on to its great rival, ARD which he developed into a professional station around the turn of the decade.

In episode #9 of the Pirate.ie podcast, Brian Greene and John Walsh interview various people who knew Don, either in person or over the air, and get their assessment of his influence on the development of Irish radio: Roger Lloyd (Prince Terry), Derek Jones, Declan Meehan and Ian Biggar.