During the 1970s RTÉ would launch two new radio stations Raidió na Gaeltachta and Radio 2 and a second television channel RTÉ 2. Technological developments saw the introduction of FM and stereo services in radio and the advent of colour television.
As violence increased in Northern Ireland and the political situation became more complex Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act was invoked.
Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 1970 with Dana singing 'All Kinds of Everything'. While RTÉ radio and television gave comprehensive coverage of the Papal visit in 1979.
Dana returns home having won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland for the first time.
Production Year
1970
Contributor
Barry Linnane (Reporter)
RTÉ 1970S
Advent of Colour Television
The introduction to the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest hosted by Ireland for the first time. The production was also one of the first home produced colour television programmes.
Production Year
1971
Contributor
Bernadette Ní Ghallchóir (Presenter)
RTÉ 1970S
Newsbeat Ends After 7 Years
The final moments as the series 'Newsbeat' ends after seven years. Frank Hall tries to wrap up the final 'Newsbeat' as the set is removed from around him.
Production Year
1971
Contributor
Frank Hall (Presenter)
George Devlin (Presenter)
RTÉ 1970S
Exact Dead Centre of Ireland
Where exactly is the centre of Ireland? An amusing report looks at the claims of a number of locations.
Production Year
1971
Contributor
Frank Hall (Reporter)
George Devlin (Reporter)
RTÉ 1970S
Political Censorship Section 31
A directive directive under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 prohibits RTÉ from broadcasting anything that could be interpreted as supporting the aims or activities of organisations which "engage in, promote, encourage or advocate the attaining of any political objective by violent means".
Production Year
1971
Contributor
John O'Donoghue (Presenter)
RTÉ 1970S
Raidió na Gaeltachta Begins Broadcasting
Bunaíodh RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta le seirbhís iomlán raidió a chur ar fáil do phobal na Gaeltachta agus do lucht labhartha na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre. Tháinig an stáisiún ar an aer don chéad uair ag 3 pm, Domhnach Cásca, 2 Aibreán 1972.
Production Year
1972
Contributor
Breandán Ó hEithir (Reporter)
RTÉ 1970S
Gay Byrne Hour Begins
The 'Gay Byrne Hour' began on radio on 2 February 1973. Here Gay Byrne introduces a programme from 1977.
Production Year
1977
Contributor
Gay Byrne (Presenter)
RTÉ 1970S
First Female TV Newsreader
Geraldine McInerney who became the first woman to read the news on RTÉ television in October 1975.
Production Year
1974
Contributor
Mary Lee (Photographer)
RTÉ 1970S
'Going Strong' Begins
Paddy Dempsey living in Dunboyne, Meath, tells Ann O'Dwyer about being knocked over by a bull and how he never married.
Production Year
1978
Contributor
Ann O'Dwyer (Presenter)
RTÉ 1970S
Welcome to Channel 2
The opening moments of the second RTÉ television station RTÉ 2.
Production Year
1978
Contributor
Bernadette Ni Gallchoir (Presenter)
Raymond Maxwell (Presenter)
Roisin Harkin (Presenter)
RTÉ 1970S
RTÉ Radio 2 Launched
RTÉ launches Radio 2 with the phrase "It is all coming at you now" at an event it the radio centre, Donnybrook.
Production Year
1979
RTÉ 1970S
Pope John Paul II Visits Ireland
Pope John Paul ll visited Ireland from 29 September to 1 October 1979. RTÉ Radio and Television provided comprehensive coverage of the visit
Production Year
1979
Contributor
Brian Farrell (Commentator)
RTÉ 1970S
'Women Today' First Broadcast 31 May 1979
'Women Today', presented by Marian Finucane and produced by Clare Duignan, was first broadcast on 31 May 1979. In an extract from 'Women Today' Marian Finucane introduces an item on the subject of sex education in Ireland.
Production Year
1979
Contributor
Marian Finucane (Presenter)
Doireann Ní Bhriain (Reporter)
