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All About Don
After the football match or other games one of Don's friends would ask him to tell them a story... sometimes a spooky one or a war saga. Don would immediately begin to tell a story making it up as he went along. Some stories even continued to the following day. This was a practice that continued into adulthood. On long car journeys his friends often asked him to regale them with a story. Encouraged by these friends Don began to write them down. Although he admits his first stab at writing was love poems to girls when he was in his early teens, he admits he never showed any of them to any of the local girls. "I was too embarrassed," he smiles. TRAINING TV Don then went on to meet Zig and Zag and worked with them on the Den. Zig and Zag stayed for years then made way for Dustin and Socky. Don admits he's been very lucky, working with such talented people as Ian, Ray and Damien, and aliens such as Zig and Zag. Don readily admits he's a big fan of Dustin and Socky. He thinks Dustin is Ireland's greatest comedian. See Don on the Den on Network 2 on Tuesdays and Fridays. Author |
Don
Conroy is one of Ireland's most popular television personalities,
appearing regularly on the hugely successful Den 2. Don was born
and educated in Dublin. Growing up in Donnybrook, Don spent most
of his time playing in Herbert Park and along by the Dodder River.
These became magical places for the young Conroy. Sometimes playing
football, Don was usually goalkeeper. The park was so many things
to this young boy with a fertile imagination... a jungle, a desert,
the Savannahs of Africa or the American West. Don always wanted
to play the Indian in their games of Cowboys and Indians, but his
blond hair ruled that out, so he had to be General Custer, which was no joke when 20 of his friends wanted to scalp him! 
In
1982 Don had his first exhibition, a one man show in Gallery 22
in Dublin. A researcher from the Late, Late Show came to the exhibition.
He liked the paintings and invited Don onto the Late, Late Show.
This was Don's first appearance on television. It led to an afternoon
appearance on another television show hosted by Thelma Mansfield.
On this show Don gave a demonstration of painting. The producer
was so taken with Don, and the response from the public after his
appearance, that she offered him his own show which was entitled
Paint for Fun, a live art show. Don was then invited to become a
regular contributor to a new series called Dempsey's Den. Don appeared
once a week.