A continuity announcer introduces a lecture by Kevin B Nowlan, 'Dáil Éireann 1919' as part of the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of the Dáil.

The first meeting of Dáil Éireann occurred on 21 January 1919 in the Round Room of the Mansion House: the residence of the Lord Mayor in Dublin. Being the first and highly symbolic meeting, the proceedings of the Dáil were conducted for the only time entirely in the Irish language, except for previously drafted declarations that were repeated in other languages as well.

The Dáil elected Cathal Brugha as its Ceann Comhairle (chairman or speaker). The first, temporary president was Cathal Brugha. He was succeeded, in April, by Éamon de Valera.

The First Dáil (An Chéad Dáil) was Dáil Éireann as it convened from 1919–1921. In 1919 candidates who had been elected in the Westminster elections of 1918 refused to recognise the Parliament of the United Kingdom and instead assembled as a unicameral, revolutionary parliament called "Dáil Éireann".

The establishment of the First Dáil occurred on the same day as the outbreak of the Irish War of Independence. After elections in 1921 the First Dáil was succeeded by the Second Dáil of 1921–1922.

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