Irish Public Service Broadcasting - 1930s

Broadcasting of the Eucharistic Congress: June 1932

2RN covered the World Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932 using the new high-powered 60kw transmitter (later increased to 100 kw) installed at Athlone.

Irish listeners heard the voice of John McCormack singing at High Mass. The event was also relayed by the BBC and several national stations in continental Europe. This was the largest event broadcast in the early years of Irish radio. By this time over 30,000 licences had been issued in the Irish Free State.

Athlone radio transmitter officially opened: 6 February 1933

On 6 February 1933, Taoiseach Eamon de Valera officially opened the new high-powered radio station located at Athlone in the centre of the country.

In his speech, de Valera described the installation in symbolic terms:

"Droichead nua Átha Luain is ea é, droichead idir na Gaeil in Éirinn agus Gaeil in imirce" (Translation: "It is the new bridge of Athlone, a bridge between the Irish in Ireland and the emigrant Irish.").

Sponsored programmes: Early 1930s

Sponsored programmes were the popular medium for advertising in the early days of radio broadcasting. Advertising revenue became increasingly important to cover the cost of the Athlone transmitter.

The first sponsored programme, featuring Euthymol toothpaste, was broadcast on 31 December 1927.

Through the 1930s, Independent Newspapers sponsored "Slumber Hour", PJ Carroll, makers of Sweet Afton cigarettes, sponsored "Sweet Afton Varieties", The Savoy Cocoa Company sponsored the "Savoy Minstrels", and The Blackrock Hosiery Company, "Rock Revellers".

"The Irish Hospitals' Sweepstakes" programme, sponsored by the Irish Hospitals' Trust to promote the sale of tickets for the Irish Sweepstake, and "The Walton's Programme", sponsored by the Dublin music shop of that name, became among the best-known and longest-running sponsored programmes.

Listen here to the closing sequence of "The Irish Hospitals' Sweepstakes" programme.

Dr T.J. Kiernan , Director of Radio: 1935-40

Dr T.J. Kiernan succeeded Seán Clandillon as Director of Broadcasting. He was transferred from the Department of External Affairs when an interview board failed to agree an appointment. Kiernan set up local programme committees nationwide and developed talks and drama. W.B. Yeats was recorded on radio at this time.

"O'Donnell Abú" Becomes the Station Identification Signal: 1936

Over several days in February 1936, twenty tunes were played for listeners to Radio Athlone. The purpose was to let the listeners select a suitable identification tune signal for the Irish national station. By a large majority, the tune selected was "O'Donnell Abú".

In all, 968 letters were received. There were 260 votes for "O'Donnell Abú". This was by far the highest number of votes. The second favourite tune was "Fáinne Geal an Lae" with 151 votes. "The Blackbird" received 88 votes, "My Lagan Love", 58, and "Brian Boru's March", 52.

Dr Kiernan, Director of Broadcasting, placed an order with a German firm to have the electrical device for recording the signal installed. Wavebands were crowded and electrical interference was a common problem, which meant that these "tuning signals" were very useful for finding a station at a time when Radio Athlone was on air for only part of the day.

"O'Donnell Abú" remains the station identification signal for RTÉ and can be heard each morning at 05.30 on RTÉ Radio 1, just before the daytime programmes begin.

Listen here to "O'Donnell Abú".

Disk Recording Equipment installed in Dublin Studios: 1936

The installation of recording equipment meant that artists did not have to broadcast live in the late evening. Until the introduction of this equipment, performers would have to wait around the studio with long intervals between performances.

Schools Broadcasting Begins: January 1937

Schools Broadcasting began in January 1937 when, under the general organisation of Kathleen Roddy, a formalised scheme for primary schools was established. A printed programme was circulated to schools. The programmes included speech and music with a special emphasis on spoken Irish and Irish music. Other subjects included folklore, Irish stories and proverbs, Irish history told through ballads, travel talks, nature study, choir singing, tin-whistle lessons and features about orchestral music.

The listenership dropped at the start of the war. Fuel shortages and shortages of batteries meant that many of the teachers who had formerly brought their own sets to school by car were no longer able to do so. By 1941, the scheme was becoming unsustainable and schools programmes ceased.

Full story...

First broadcast of Michael O'Hehir, sports presenter: 14 August 1938

Broadcaster and sports commentator, best-known for commentary of GAA games and horse-racing, Michael O'Hehir gave his first commentary when Galway defeated Monaghan in the All-Ireland Senior Football Semi-Final at Cusack Park in Mullingar.

Michael O'Hehir became known as RTÉ's "voice of Gaelic Games". O'Hehir's commentaries on the All-Ireland football and hurling finals were hugely important, not just to the listeners in Ireland, but to thousands of Irish emigrants living around the world.

Listen here to a clip from Michael O'Hehir's second radio commentary on the All-Ireland Football Semi-Final between Kerry and Laois played on 21 August 1938.

Also included here is a later clip where Michael O'Hehir characteristically sends greetings to listeners living abroad from family and friends in Ireland, in a broadcast before the 1957 All-Ireland Football Final.

Kathleen "Kitty" Roddy, Woman Organiser: October 1929-1954

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Kathleen Roddy became Woman Organiser in 1929, responsible for arranging women's and children's programming. She succeeded Mairéad Ní Ghráda who became Studio Announcer. A soprano singer, Kitty Roddy was the first person to record Irish songs for HMV. She was noteworthy in her role in Radio Éireann for her discovery of successful broadcasters, including Marion King who presented the popular programme, "Drawing and Painting for Children".

The regulation which banned married women from working in the public service was suspended to allow both women to take up this position, following pressure put on the government during Dáil debates.

Roibeard Ó Faracháin Appointed Talks Officer: August 1939

Roibeard Ó Faracháin became the first Talks Officer in 1939, dealing with arts, features and discussion programmes.

Ó Faracháin's contribution to radio was immense, fostering Irish writers such as Brendan Behan, Kate O'Brien, Edna O'Brien, James Plunkett and Francis MacManus. He was founder of Radio Éireann Players run by Micheál Ó hAodha. A published poet, he had founded the Dublin Verse-Speaking Society and the Lyric Theatre with Austin Clarke before joining Radio Éireann.

Ó Faracháin's title changed to General Features Officer in 1945.

Austin Clarke's First Broadcast: 1939

The poet and playwright, Austin Clarke began his long association with Radio Éireann with a weekly poetry broadcast. In one form or another, the programmes continued until well into the 1960s.

Clarke began his broadcasting career by running a competition for new verse in 1939. He had founded the Dublin Verse-Speaking Society with Roibeard Ó Faracháin and Clarke presented choral verse from this society, sometimes accompanied by the orchestra. Two of these choral sequences were written by Francis MacManus.

Earliest Surviving Recording of a Weather Forecast: 1939

This is the earliest surviving Radio Éireann recording of a weather forecast. Made in 1939, Bernadette Plunkett announces that the "...outlook for Saturday is similar."