Maurice Gorham was became the first Director of Broadcasting appointed from outside the Civil Service. New studios were installed at the GPO.
Further developments in Radio Éireann programming saw a greater emphasis on variety and the station's first soap opera 'The Kennedys of Caslteross', the introduction of the Thomas Davis Lecture series and the first broadcast of the Angelus.
In 1958 preparations for television got underway with the establishment of the Television Commission.
Following a proposal by Archbishop McQuaid to mark Holy Year, the Angelus daily broadcast was inaugurated on 15 August 1950, the Feast of the Assumption.
Production Year
1969
1969
RTÉ 1950S
Children's Programmes 1950s
Marion King presenting 'Art Adventures' a popular children's series on painting with Sean Bunny and Marion King.
Production Year
1948
Contributor
Marion King (Presenter)
RTÉ 1950S
Mobile Recording Unit Travels to Rome
Reporter P.P. O'Reilly describes the scenes in St Peter's as the Pope welcomes the Irish pilgrims who have made the journey for Holy Year.
Production Year
1950
Contributor
P.P. O'Reilly (Reporter)
RTÉ 1950S
Maurice Gorham Becomes Director of Broadcasting
Maurice Gorham was appointed Director of Broadcasting in January 1953. He recalls being less than impressed by set up in radio when he took up the position.
Production Year
1976
Contributor
John Bowman (Presenter)
John Skehan (Producer)
RTÉ 1950S
The Art of the Short Story
The 'Thomas Davis Lectures' series was launched in September 1953 with the aim of introducing the listening public to the best in Irish scholarship. Frank O'Connor talks about the art of the short story in a lecture from 1964.
Production Year
1963
Contributor
Frank O'Connor (Presenter)
Francis MacManus (Producer)
RTÉ 1950S
Dancing On The Radio
The popular Irish dance programme 'Take the Floor' is introduced by Din Joe (Denis Fitzgibbon) from Achill with 'The Harvest Time Jig'.
Production Year
1960
Contributor
Din Joe (Presenter)
RTÉ 1950S
First Radio Comedy Series
A sketch from 'Living With Lynch' Radio Éireann's first comedy series which began in 1954 and starring Joe Lynch. Schoolboys Fursey and Ernie ponder the advantages of having measles.
Production Year
1954
Contributor
Joe Lynch
RTÉ 1950S
Where Are Our Funny Men?
Writing in the 'Radio Éireann Handbook 1955' Micheál Ó hAodha outlines his ideas for variety programming on Irish radio in the early 1950s.
Publisher Broadcaster
RTÉ
RTÉ 1950S
First Radio Soap The Kennedys of Castleross
An extract from the opening epsiode of Radio Éireann's first soap opera 'The Kennedys of Castleross' began which on 14 April 1955.
Production Year
1955
Contributor
Marie Kean (Actor)
Philip O'Flynn (Actor)
Pat Laffan (Actor)
Mark Grantham (Scriptwriter)
[Radio Éireann Players]
RTÉ 1950S
'Triple Fantasy' by Walter Beckett
'Triple Fantasy' by Walter Beckett was performed at the Gaiety Prom on the 7th November 1954 by the Orchestra, led by Renzo Marchionni and conducted by Milan Horvat.
Production Year
1954
Contributor
Walter Beckett (Composer)
Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra
Renzo Marchionni (Leader)
Milan Horvat (Conductor)
RTÉ 1950S
Minister Opens Continuity Studio
Jim Power, Michael Keyes, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Sile Ni Bhriain, announcer, at the formal opening of the continuity suite in Radio Éireann studios at the GPO in Dublin on 19 April 1956.
Production Year
1956
Contributor
Duncan, GA (Photographer)
RTÉ 1950S
Preparation For Television
The catalogue cover for the Irish Radio and Television Show held at the Manison House, Dublin in September 1958.
