Minister for Post and Telegraphs Mr Padraig Faulkner launched the new station. Brendan Balfe was the first voice heard on air. Many of the new presenters on Radio 2 including Vincent Hanley were introduced to the invited guests.

The station is to broadcast for nineteen and a half hours each day and hopes to appeal to, "women at home, motorists, workers of industry as well as many young people." 

RTÉ Radio 2 was launched on 31 May 1979. Brendan Balfe was the first voice on the new station when he introduced Radio 2's first presenter Larry Gogan. New presenters included Dave Fanning, Gerry Ryan, Marty Whelan and Ian Dempsey.

The new station quickly established an identity for itself with sponsorship of the Dublin City Marathon, the Radio 2 Roadcaster and a high profile commitment to supporting Irish contemporary music.

A second national station for meant that RTÉ Radio became RTÉ Radio 1 and the new station RTÉ Radio 2. In 1988 RTÉ Radio 2 became 2FM. Another name change in 2000 saw the station become RTÉ 2FM.

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