Roibeard Ó Faracháin became the first Talks Officer in 1939, dealing with arts, features and discussion programmes.

Ó Faracháin's contribution to radio was immense, fostering Irish writers such as Brendan Behan, Kate O'Brien, Edna O'Brien, James Plunkett and Francis MacManus. He was founder of Radio Éireann Players run by Micheál Ó hAodha. A published poet, he had founded the Dublin Verse-Speaking Society and the Lyric Theatre with Austin Clarke before joining Radio Éireann.

Ó Faracháin's title changed to General Features Officer in 1945.

Roibeárd Ó Faracháin (1909 - 1984) (born Robert Farren), Irish poet and Controller of Radio Programmes at RTÉ (1953-1974) date of photograph 1st January 1963.

Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Libraries and Archives.

If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us.

RTÉ Libraries and Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us.