The veteran RTÉ broadcaster said it was an “evocative” vital cue for listeners, especially given the show’s challenging mid‑afternoon slot, and helped to draw listeners.
The signature tune, Over the Moor by Irish band Stockton’s Wing, had been the theme for the flagship programme on RTÉ Radio 1 for four decades until Kieran Cuddihy took over the slot last November.
“It’s so evocative. I’m surprised they got rid of it,” Duffy said. “It’s written by Stockton’s Wing, Mike Hanrahan and the boys. I used to meet Mike in the old radio centre when he was in, doing bits of work.”
“And he’d always say to me, at least once a year: ‘Thanks, we got the Lanzarote this year off it’. I just think it’s evocative. And the programme is in a very hard time, a quarter to two. So you need something, a call to listen,” he told The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk.
Duffy (70), who hung up his mic in June, also said he listens to Cuddihy, who joined RTÉ from Newstalk, adding that he “monitors” the radio stations.
Liveline’s Joe Duffy hung up his mic in June. Photo: Mark Condren
News in 90 seconds – Wednesday 28th January.
“I listen to everybody. As you know, Pat, I don’t listen to the radio. I monitor the radio.
“I’m like the member of the French Resistance up in the loft, monitoring radio stations, I listen to everything,” he said
He also wished good luck to Pat Kenny (77), who will present a new weekend show on Saturdays and Sundays in March, as part of a big shake-up of Newstalk’s daytime schedule.
Duffy and Pat Kenny worked together at the national broadcaster: “I remember producing you, that was my first job in RTÉ,” Duffy told him.
“You’d be brilliant at the weekends. And I worked with you; you were my first presenter when I started at RTÉ. You were great, great fun, and you’re a great, great gossip. And your knowledge is breathtaking.
“You’re not going away, which is great for your station.”
He also wished fellow former RTÉ broadcaster Claire Byrne the “best of luck” as she takes over from Pat Kenny on the mid-morning slot from next week.
Anton Savage meanwhile is set to move to Newstalk Breakfast, with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman moving to The Hard Shoulder.
“The morning slot is a challenging one, even time-wise, and he’s a singular presenter,” Duffy said of Anton Savage.
Duffy, who is also the author of Children of the Rising and Children of the Troubles, said he might be working on another book.
He also spoke of his passion for painting, and said he finds it “extraordinarily relaxing”.
“As I keep saying to everyone, anyone can paint, just try it. Buy a set of watercolours and buy a decent pad of paper, that’s the key, a decent, strong pad of paper and no more than two brushes, and just doodle.”
When Kenny described Liveline as a “campaigning programme”, Duffy said one of the most memorable “campaigns” was “getting rid of the head shops”: “I really went crazy on that.”
On the programme, he also spoke of the hearing checks offered by Specsavers: “It’s free, and they’re everywhere.”
“Just go in and book a hearing check. It’s very scientific. You don’t have to fill out a form. Don’t have to tick any boxes.
“You just go into this booth, and you’re asked to press a button when you hear particular sounds, as simple as that,” he said.