The general election of 1965 was the first to be covered by television. Studio One was converted into a special "Election Newsroom" with John O'Donoghue as presenter. Cameras were at the counts in Dublin's Bolton Street, and in Wexford, Cork and Monaghan. Four reporters read results as they came in via specially installed teleprinters which were linked directly to the GPO in Dublin. Political correspondents, John Healy of the Irish Times and John O'Sullivan of The Cork Examiner, were joined by Garret Fitzgerald and Basil Chubb to offer analysis of the unfolding results.
"The Only Time We Have Had Quiet Was During the Angelus"
With television reporting on an election for the first time, radio took a new approach to its coverage. From 3.00pm on the first day of the count, scheduled programmes were suspended.
The RTV Guide announced that "This re-scheduling of broadcasting is intended to provide listeners with a running story of the election count, with intervals for music when the flow slackens."
Production Year
1965
Contributor
Kevin O'Kelly (Presenter)
John Ross (Reporter)
1965 GENERAL ELECTION
First Election Covered By Television
The general election of 1965 was the first to be covered by television.
