The 1960s saw the arrival of an Irish television service Telefís Éireann to accompany Radio Éireann. Television began broadcasting on New Year's Eve 1961. In 1966 the corporate name would place both services under the name RTÉ (Radio Telefís Éireann).
Shown here are examples of some of the factual and entertainment programmes that began broadcsting during the 1960s. The cover of the first RTV Guide (which would later become The RTÉ Guide) and the listing for the first evenings viewing on Telefís Éireann can also be seen.
The front cover of the first edition of the radio and televsion listings magazine 'The RTV Guide'.
Production Year
1961
Publisher Broadcaster
RTÉ
RTÉ 1960S
Move to Montrose 10 December 1961
An aerial view of the RTÉ complex photographed in 1969. RTÉ staff began to move from Henry Street to the new purpose built television studios in 1961.
Production Year
1961
RTÉ 1960S
President First On New Television Service
President of Ireland Eamon de Valera launches new television service and warns that, "...never before was there in the hands of men an instrument so powerful to influence the thoughts and actions of the multitude." The address is in both Irish and English.
Production Year
1961
Contributor
Eamon de Valera
RTÉ 1960S
RTV Guide Opening Night
A page from the 'RTV Guide' showing what was on television on the opening night of Telefís Éireann (RTÉ).
Production Year
1961
Publisher Broadcaster
RTÉ
RTÉ 1960S
TV Announcers Meet Viewers
The first three television continuity announcers tour Ireland before the opening night of Irish television.
Production Year
1961
Contributor
Ciarán Mac Mathúna (Presenter)
RTÉ 1960S
Visit of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace
Thousands turn out to see former Hollywood star Grace Kelly now Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco in June 1961.
Production Year
1961
RTÉ 1960S
Patrician Year Blessing at Ringsend
As part of the Patrician Year celebrations, the papal legate Cardinal Agagianian blessed the foundation stone to a memorial of Our Lady at Ringsend.
Production Year
1961
Contributor
John Ross (Reporter)
RTÉ 1960S
Charles Mitchel First TV Newsreader
Award for Charles Mitchel RTE Television's first newsreader.
Production Year
1962
Contributor
Harry Thuillier (Compere)
RTÉ 1960S
The School Around the Corner
An article about a special edition of the popular programme 'The School Around the Corner.'
Production Year
1962
Contributor
Matt Farrell (Reporter)
Roy Bedell (Photographer)
Publisher Broadcaster
RTÉ
RTÉ 1960S
Religious TV Series Radharc
An extract from 'Radharc' a series produced for RTÉ by Catholic priests. Reporter Father Peter Lemass visits Glenties the tidiest town in Ireland.
Production Year
1961
Contributor
Peter Lemass (Reporter)
RTÉ 1960S
Television Covers the First Irish Sweeps Derby
The closing stages of the first Irish Sweeps Derby which was broadcast by RTÉ on 30 June 1962.
Production Year
1976
Contributor
Micheal O'Hehir (Reporter)
RTÉ 1960S
Late Late Show Begins
An extract from a 1965 edition of 'The Late Late Show' Ireland's long running chat show.
Production Year
1965
Contributor
Gay Byrne (Presenter)
RTÉ 1960S
Modern Mathematics for Juniors
An extract from 'Modern Mathematics for Juniors'. Frank Anderson explains equations on the junior modern mathematics curriculum.
Production Year
1966
Contributor
Frank Anderson (Presenter)
RTÉ 1960S
The Riordans Ireland's First Rural Soap
An extract from an episode of 'The Riordans'. 'The Riordans' was Ireland's first soap set in a rural background and was first broadcast on 4 January 1965.
Production Year
1972
Contributor
Tom Riordan (John Cowley)
Mary Riordan (Moira Deady)
Benjy Riordan (Tom Hickey)
Eamon Maher (Joseph Pilkington)
Minnie Brennan (Anne D'Alton)
RTÉ 1960S
Television Helps Educate Farmers
An extract from the series 'Telefís Feirme' (Farm Television) an agricultural series providing information and instruction for Irish farmers.
Production Year
1965
Contributor
Justin Keating (Presenter)
Seamus Smith (Producer)
RTÉ 1960S
50th Anniversary of the Easter Rising
As part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, President Eamon de Valera takes a salute from units of the Defence Forces at the General Post Office in O'Connell Street.
Production Year
1966
RTÉ 1960S
Seven Days Begins 26 September 1966
The opening title sequence from the current affairs series '7 Days' which began broadcasting 26 September 1966
Production Year
1969
Contributor
John O'Donoghue (Presenter)
RTÉ 1960S
The Most Unusual Wagon You Ever Saw
The much loved and fondly remembered children's drama 'Wanderly Wagon' was first broadcast on 30 September 1967.
Here is an extract from the 1971 Christmas edition Godmother is having trouble with the mice.
A bomb blast causes damage to RTÉ Television studios
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Tom McCaughren (Reporter)
RTÉ 1960S
Sit Down and Be Counted
An extract from a debate on 'The Late Late Show' on the issues raised in the book 'Sit Down and Be Counted' written by the former RTÉ producers Lelia Doolin, Jack Dowling and Bob Quinn.
