Don Moore Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Irish Pirate Radio Audio Archive

10th November 20219th November 2021

Dr. Don closes Radio Dublin in 1976

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 15^th September 1976.

This recording was made from 227 metres medium wave on Friday 17^th 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.

8th November 20217th November 2021

Dr. Don and Prince Terry on Radio Dublin

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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 22^nd 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.

6th November 20217th November 2021

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

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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.

30th October 202115th December 2024

Don Moore (RIP) on Radio Dublin

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One of the early pioneers of pirate radio in Dublin and Ireland, Don Moore (Dr Don), died in 2021. Here is an early recording of Don on Radio Dublin on Sunday 28^th December 1975 from 1400-1630. Don bemoans the fate of another Dublin pirate, Capitol Radio, which had been raided on 21^st December and returned to the air on the 28^th for a farewell broadcast. Clips from Capitol’s final broadcast are heard, featuring Alan Russell and Ed McDowell, and Don advises listeners to write to the newspapers and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to complain. He also refers to Radio Mi Amigo on 252 metres, and says that Radio Dublin is blocking reception of their signal locally. Later in the recording, Prince Terry (Roger Lloyd) reads out some letters from listeners including one in Irish which is translated by Dr Don. Skywave interference from Mi Amigo is heard towards the end of the broadcast.

We thank Ian Biggar for donating this recording, which was made originally by Kieran Murray.

12th May 202019th January 2025

Dublin hobby station Q107

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Q107 was one of many small weekend hobby pirates broadcasting in Dublin in the 1980s. In this undated recording it describes itself as a 24-hour weekend station but then refers to test transmissions on Saturday from midnight to midday. It seems the recording was made on a Thursday morning from 3am until the end of broadcasting. There are generic jingles but no links apart from the sign-off which is followed by the famous pirate theme tune ‘Man of Action’ by Les Reed. Q107 may have been based in Ballyfermot in west Dublin and we estimate this recording to be from 1984 as it is the other side of a tape of Radio Zodiac from that year.

The Anoraks Ireland catalogue includes a recording of Q107 from 1988 and the following account: ‘Ray Brennan, boss at Q107 was reported to be a nephew of the famous Doctor Don. We understand Don provided young Ray with the studio gear which was very basic with Realistic turntables and a Phonic 5 channel mixer. Pity young Ray didn’t make much use of the equipment and the transmitter again courtesy of Uncle Don. Q107 spent most of its 6 weeks off the air and when broadcasting programming it was terrible’. We do not know if this was the same Q107 or another station entirely. Thanks to Ian Biggar for research.

This recording is from the Skywave Tapes Collection. Skywave Radio International broadcast a shortwave station in the 1980s from Baldoyle in northeast Dublin.