'The First Dáil' was a bilingual documentary for schools.In this extract the programme is introduced by Donncha Ó Dulaing. School teacher Gerry Moynihan and pupils of  Saleen National School, Cork, speaking in Irish and English give an account of the first meeting of the Dáíl.

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.

The first meeting of Dáil Éireann took place in the Round Room of the Mansion House on 21 January 1919. To honour the 50th anniversary of the this event the first sitting of the Dáíl for 1969 took place in the Round Room of the Mansion House.

RTÉ marked the occasion with programmes on radio and television. Part of this output was 'The First Dáil' a bilingual documentary for schools.

The RTÉ Guide listing for the programme was,

"A bilingual documentary for schools presented by Donncha Ó Dulaing. Among those taking part are the pupils of Saleen National School, Cloyne, Co. Cork; Díarmuid O Mionacháin, N.T. ; Seosamh O Dochartaigh, member of the the First Dáil, Dan Breen and a Shoillse Eamona de Valera, Uachtaran na hEireann."

(RTÉ Guide January 17, 1969 vol. 6 No 4. p14)

Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Libraries and Archives.

If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us.

RTÉ Libraries and Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us.