History of Irish Public Service Broadcasting - Timeline

• 16 January 1922: J.J. Walsh appointed Postmaster-General (Ministry of the Post Office) of the Provisional Government.
• 12 December 1922: The Irish Free State comes into being.
• 1923: Wireless Advisory Committee established.
• 2 June 1924: J.J. Walsh appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1924: Irish Free State Government decide to establish radio service.
• November 1925: Seamus Hughes appointed full-time Station Announcer of 2RN, first radio station of the Irish Free State.
• November 1925: Seamus Clandillon appointed first Director of Broadcasting for 2RN.
• 1 January 1926: Dr Douglas Hyde, President of the Gaelic League, opens 2RN.
• 24 May 1926: First advertised news bulletin on 2RN.
• 29 August 1926: First broadcast of sports commentary on 2RN.
• 24 December 1926: Wireless Telegraphy Act enacted, providing comprehensive definition of wireless telegraphy and allowing for collection of licence fees for wireless radio sets.
• 1927: Mairéad Ní Ghráda appointed 2RN Woman Organiser, producing women's and children's programmes.
• 26 February 1927: First daily news report broadcast on 2RN.
• 26 April 1927: First broadcast from 6CK transmitter station and official opening of Cork Studio based at the disused Cork City Gaol.
• 12 October 1927: Ernest Blythe appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• October 1928: 2RN transfers to new studios in the General Post Office (GPO), O'Connell Street, Dublin.
• 1929: Kathleen Roddy appointed 2RN Woman Organiser.
• 9 March 1932: Joseph Connolly appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• June 1932: Broadcast of Eucharistic Congress on Athlone transmitter, temporarily opened for the event. First relay broadcast of the Pope from the Vatican to the Irish people.
• July 1932: Broadcasting Advisory Committe propose establishment of short wave station.
• 6 February 1933: President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, Eamon de Valera officially opens Athlone Radio Transmitter. The new national radio service becomes known as Radio Athlone.
• 8 February 1933: Gerald Boland appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1934: T.J. Kiernan, former diplomat, appointed Director of Broadcasting.
• 1936: 'O'Donnell Abú' selected as Radio Athlone call sign.
• November 1936: Disk recording equipment installed in Dublin studios marking the beginning of recording in Irish broadcasting.
• 11 November 1936: Oscar Traynor appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1937: Inter-departmental committee set up to study viability of short wave service.
• 1937: Schools Broadcasting scheme begins on Radio Athlone.
• 2-4 June 1937: Dáil debates references to press and broadcasting in draft Constitution of Ireland.
• 29 December 1937: Constitution of Ireland comes into operation (Article 40.6.i on press and broadcasting).
• 29 December 1937: Radio Éireann replaces Radio Athlone as name of national radio service.
• 14 August 1938: First broadcast of sports commentary by Michael O'Hehir (aged eighteen) on Radio Éireann.
• February 1939: Installation of short wave transmission equipment completed at Athlone.
• 15 June 1939: First broadcast of 'Original Verse Competition' ('New Verse Competition') on Radio Éireann, adjudicated by Austin Clarke.
• August 1939: Roibeard Ó Faracháin, former editor of Capuchin Annual and co-founder of the Lyric Theatre, appointed Talks Officer of Radio Éireann, responsible for arts, features and discussion programmes (title changes to Features Officer in 1945).
• 3 September 1939: Wartime censorship of Radio Éireann news bulletins under Emergency Powers Act (World War II).
• 8 September 1939: Tomás Ó Deirg appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 27 September 1939: P.J. Little appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1940: Séamus Ó Braonáin appointed Director of Broadcasting.
• 17 March 1940: First experimental short wave broadcast.
• 1 January 1941: Michael Bowles appointed Director of Music at Radio Éireann.
• 20 February 1941: Taoiseach de Valera sets up Emergency Scientific Research Bureau who, with John O'Keeffe (later Chief Engineer of Radio Éireann) from Department of Posts and Telegraphs, are commissioned to find ways to improve short wave transmission.
• October 1941-47: Public Symphony Concert Series of Radio Éireann Orchestra begins at The Mansion House, Dublin.
• 1943: Jazz and 'crooning' music cease to be broadcast on Radio Éireann following pressure in An Dáil.
• 1945: Committee submit report on the viability of an Irish language radio station. Survey on listenership in Gaeltacht areas, carried out through the district Postmasters, shows simiar trends to the general listenership in the country.
• 1944-53 : Broadcasting Advisory Committee, which had lapsed during World War II, is re-established and continues to meet until 1953.
• September 1944: Experiments in improving short wave broadcasting abandoned, due to war-time shortages.
• 11 May 1945: Censorship under Emergency Powers Act lifted.
• 16 May 1945: Taoiseach Eamon de Valera responds on Radio Éireann to V.E. Day speech of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast on BBC.
• April 1946: Minister P.J. Little announces 60% increase in investment for broadcasting.
• 1947: Robert Brennan, former Irish ambassador to Washington, appointed Director of Broadcasting.
• 20 February 1947: Minister P.J. Little on Radio Éireann defines the objectives of Irish broadcasting as "the everyday story of the new Ireland, spoken with its own voice".
• August 1947: Radio Éireann broadcast a live relay of the G.A.A. All-Ireland Football Final from The Polo Grounds, New York. Commentary was by Micheal O'Hehir.
• October 1947: Mobile Recording Unit introduced at Radio Éireann, as part of post-war expansion of Irish broadcasting. This begins Radio Éireann's recording of Irish traditional music and folklore.
• 1948: Mobile Recording Unit expands further with two recording unit vans.
• January 1948: First broadcast of jazz on Radio Éireann since World War II with series of programmes produced by Dr Brian Boydell.
• 18 February 1948: James Everett appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• April 1948: León Ó Broin, writer, historian and civil servant, appointed Secretary of Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
• May 1948: Short wave project deferred by new Government.
• August 1948: C.E. Kelly, editor of Dublin Opinion, appointed Director of Broadcasting.
• November 1948: First broadcast of weekly transmissions of High Mass for the sick and the elderly.
• May 1949: Restriction on radio advertising relaxed. (During World War II newspapers had succesfully requested restriction on radio advertising for commercial reasons.)
• December 1949: Tape recording first introduced in Radio Éireann. Tapes would eventually replace disk recording.
• 1948-51: Proposals for the revival of Schools Broadcasting, which had lapsed in 1941 due to shortage of funding, rejected by Department of Education.
• July 1950: Broadcast Advisory Committee recommends that broadcasting be removed from direct government control.
• 15 August 1950: First broadcast of the Angelus on Radio Éireann (daily broadcast at 6 p.m.).
• September 1950: Mobile Recording Unit travel to Rome to broadcast Holy Year celebrations.
• May 1951: Public display of television at Royal Dublin Society (RDS) exhibition hall in Dublin.
• 13 June 1951: Erskine Childers appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• Summer 1951: First broadcast of unscripted political discussions on Radio Éireann.
• July 1951: First broadcast of weekly commentary on parliamentary proceedings of An tOireachtas.
• March 1952: Relaxation in regulations on advertising permits Irish companies who import goods to advertise on Radio Éireann on condition that such goods do not compete with Irish goods.
• July 1952: First broadcast of morning news on Radio Éireann during newspaper strike. The morning news service is retained when the strike ends.
• 5 November 1952: Minister Erskine Childers gives speech in Dáil recommending fundamental changes to Radio Éireann.
• 5 November 1952: Maurice Gorham, former Head of BBC Television, appointed Director of Broadcasting.
• 1 January 1953 : Comhairle (council) to supervise broadcasting appointed. The Department of Posts and Telegraphs retains financial control.
• March and September 1953: Audience Research Surveys introduced.
• September 1953: Posts and Telegraphs committee to plan for television service present its report to the Government.
• 27 September 1953: First broadcast of the 'Thomas Davis Lectures' series on Radio Éireann.
• 6 September 1953: Sports reports and a selection of programmes from Radio Éireann first re-broadcast by Radio Brazzaville to Irish missionaries in Africa.
• 1954: First party political broadcasts precede general election.
• 2 June 1954: Michael Keyes appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1955: First television broadcast from Republic of Ireland organised by BBC was relayed via Belfast and Scotland to several European countries. The subject of the broadcast was a boxing match between Ireland and England at the National Stadium in Dublin - Ireland won.
• 1956: Posts and Telegraphs committee planning for a television service submitted a second report to government, which recommended a publicly funded rather than a commercial service.
• 20 March 1957: Neil Blaney appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 4 December 1957: Sean Ormonde appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1958: Seán MacEntee, Minister for Finance, establishes commission to investigate the provision of a television service. The terms of reference include the conditions that the service be run by a public authority and that no capital or current account investment come from government.
• 1958-9: Pye Ltd., Thomson, Gael Linn and other firms propose schemes for a national television service to the Television Commission.
• 08 May 1959: Final report of the Television Commission submitted to Government.
• 23 June 1959: Michael Hilliard appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• July 1959: Cabinet, under newly appointed Taoiseach Seán Lemass, rejects recommendations in report of the Television Commission, and recommends instead that the television service be provided, with radio, under a single public statutory authority.
• 24 August 1959: Maurice Gorham resigns as Director of Broadcasting.
• September 1959: Advisory Committee to prepare for new television service set up with Eamonn Andrews as Chairman.
• 6 April 1960: Broadcasting Authority Act enacted. The act establishes the new television service.
• 6 May 1960: Radio Éireann Authority established. Members are appointed by government; Eamonn Andrews appointed Chairman.
• 2 June 1960: First meeting of the Radio Éireann Authority.
• June 1960: Michael Scott, architect, commissioned to design new television studios at Montrose, Donnybrook.
• 27 July 1960: John Ross goes on first assignment to Congo to report on Irish Army's contingent with United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
• August 1960: The Telefís Éireann symbol, based on St Brigid's cross, is published and adopted. The symbol was designed by Richard Butterworth of the Telefís Éireann design department.
• August 1960: First combined television and sound licence fee costs £4; single radio licence increased to £1.
• November 1960: Edward J. Roth appointed first Director-General of RTÉ.
• September 1961: Michael Barry appointed first Programme Controller of Telefís Éireann, on secondment from the BBC.
• September 1961: Radio Éireann Players win Italia Prize for Radio Drama, for their production of 'The Weaver's Grave' (short story by Seamus O'Kelly, adapted and produced for radio by Mícheál Ó hAodha).
• 5 September 1961: First official Telefís Éireann transmissions of test pictures and music broadcast from Kippure are inaugurated by Minister Hilliard.
• December 1961: First issue of 'RTV Guide', RTÉ's original programme journal.
• 31 December 1961: Opening night of Telefís Éireann.
• 31 December 1961: Charles Mitchel reads his first news bulletin on Telefís Éireann.
• January 1962: First broadcast of 'Broadsheet' on Telefís Éireann, topical weekday magazine programme series.
• 12 January 1962: First broadcast of 'Radharc' on Telefís Éireann, religious and social documentary programme series produced by 'Radharc' independent production company, which was set up by Father Joe Dunn with clerical staff. 'Radharc' became RTÉ's longest running independent production.
• February 1962: Commentary relayed through courtesy of BBC on the triple orbiting of the earth and landing by the American astronaut, Colonel John Glenn.
• April 1962: Telefís Éireann staff move to Montrose following completion of two new studios, having been in temporary accommodation in Dublin's city centre.
• May 1962: First party political broadcasts on Telefís Éireann following the Budget.
• 6 July 1962: First broadcast of 'The Late Late Show' on Telefís Éireann, one of the longest-running talk shows in the world.
• Autumn 1962: Director-General Edward J. Roth resigns.
• December 1962: Kevin C. McCourt appointed Director-General of RTÉ.
• December 1962: First Irish Television Awards sponsored by Jacobs Ltd.. The event becomes known as the Jacobs' Awards and run until the late 1970s.
• 1 June 1963: Gunnar Rugheimer appointed Controller of Programmes of Telefís Éireann.
• 26-29 June 1963: RTÉ provide extensive coverage of the visit of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
• 18 October 1963: First broadcast of 'Amuigh Faoin Spéir' on Telefís Éireann, wildlife programme devised by Éamon de Buitléar and Gerrit Van Gelderen.
• November 1963: Father Romuald Dodd appointed Adviser, Catholic Religious Programmes.
• 3 January 1964: First broadcast of 'Tolka Row', urban Telefís Éireann drama serial by Maura Laverty.
• January 1964: Reverend Fergus Day, Church of Ireland, appointed Coordinator, Protestant programmes.
• 4 February 1964: First broadcast of Telefís Scoile on Telefís Éireann, one of earliest teaching programmes for schools on television in Europe.
• March 1964: Patrick Jennings appointed RTÉ Agricultural Advisor.
• 14 September 1964: First broadcast of 'Newsbeat' on Telefís Éireann, topical and often humorous programme featuring reporters Frank Tuomey and Frank Hall with caption stories by cartoonist Terry Williers.
• January 1965: RTÉ and BBC co-operate in an historic television broadcast of the meeting in Belfast between Taoiseach Seán Lemass with Terence O'Neill Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.
• 4 January 1965 : First broadcast of 'The Riordans' rural drama serial on Telefís Éireann.
• 20 March 1965: First entry for Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'I'm Walking the Streets in the Rain' performed by Butch Moore and composed by Teresa Conlon, George Prendergast and Joe Harrison. The show was hosted in Naples.
• 7 April 1965: First coverage of General Election results on Telefís Éireann with reports from around the country. Presented by John O'Donoghue and produced by Gerry Murray.
• 21 April 1965: Joseph Brennan appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 2 May 1965: First broadcast of Telefís Feirme on Telefís Éireann. Following on from success of Telefís Scoile, the programmes were innovative and designed for group viewing and discussions in rural communities.
• May 1965: Second RTÉ Authority appointed.
• 8 March 1966: Broadcast Authority (Amendment) Act enacted. The act changes the corporate name of Radio Éireann to Radio Telefís Éireann.
• 10 April 1966: First broadcast of 'Seven Days', Public Affairs RTÉ Television programme.
• 10-17 April 1966: 'Insurrection' drama and 'Cuimhneacháin 1916' broadcast on RTÉ Television to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
• May 1966: Todd Andrews appointed Chairman of RTÉ Authority, following resignation of Eamonn Andrews.
• 10 November 1966: Erskine Childers appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• January 1968: Controversial decision by Director-General Kevin McCourt to recall '7 Days' RTÉ Television crew en route to Biafra to report on the war.
• April 1967: Following Government intervention, RTÉ Television's proposed coverage of war in North Vietnam is abandoned.
• 16 July 1967: First broadcast of 'Féach' current affairs programme in the Irish language on RTÉ Television.
• 30 September 1967: First broadcast of 'Wanderly Wagon' popular, long-running children's programme on RTÉ Television.
• 12 February 1968: RTÉ Director-General Kevin McCourt announces transfer of responsibility for '7 Days' public affairs television programme to RTÉ News Division. Industrial unrest follows and members of production team are suspended for 'blacking' of the programme on air. Management and unions resolve the dispute in March 1968.
• 16 March 1968: Thomas P. Hardiman appointed Director-General of RTÉ (first internal appointment).
• 5 October 1968: Cameraman Gay O'Brien with Soundman Eamon Hayes film Derry civil rights march for RTÉ Television, during which RUC policemen baton charge crowd and use water cannon.
• February 1969: RTÉ office in Belfast opens, and in the years that follow, RTÉ provides extensive coverage of events in Northern Ireland to broadcasting organizations and agencies in Europe and the United States.
• 02 July 1969: Patrick Lalor appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 11 November 1969: Following a '7 Days' report on illegal money-lending, the government sets up a judicial tribunal to investigate the content of the programme including complaints by Gárda Síochána that they were mis-represented. The tribunal reports that the programme had not presented sufficient legal support to the allegations that the Gárdaí not done enough to stop money-lending (tribunal, January-April 1970) (report, August 1970).
• December 1969: Publication of 'Sit Down and Be Counted: The Cultural Evolution of a Television Station', by Jack Dowling, Lelia Doolan and Bob Quinn, former RTÉ Television Producers. The authors had resigned in controversy earlier in the year.
• 1969: Live relays from An tOireachtas in the Mansion House to mark fiftieth anniversary of first Dáil (which also took place in the Mansion House).
• 1 March 1970: Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time with 'All Kinds of Everything' by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith, sung by Dana, at Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• 1970: Coverage of events in Northern Ireland greatly increases with frequent extended news bulletins and additional news programming.
• 1970: Limit on number of households connected to high-specification television aerial raised to 500.
• 28 March 1970: First broadcast of Saor Raidió Chonamara, pirate Irish-language radio station (later closed by Gárda Síochána).
• May 1970: 'Ireland Tonight', four hours of RTÉ programmes is broadcast on Finnish Television; the broadcast includes 'King of the Road', a film of the life of a Tipperary roadworker; 'Wanderly Wagon'; 'Guests of the Nation', a dramatisation of Frank O'Connor's short story; 'Ballad Sheet'; 'July the Mad Month', a film on the political and religious situation in Northern Ireland; and 'Sports Magazine'.
• 1970: Questions in An Dáil with regard to Irish language broadcasting.
• 1970: RTÉ propose establishment of gaeltacht radio station under remit of RTÉ Authority.
• 6 May 1970: RTÉ broadcasts seven hours of news coverage on dismissal of cabinet members by An Taoiseach.
• 9 May 1970: Gerry Collins appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• October 1970: First broadcast of 'Dáil Report', a 30 minute RTÉ Radio programme.
• 1971: Eurovision News Exchange enables RTÉ to link with other European and U.S. broadcasting networks.
• 1971: RTÉ Relays, special unit set up to provide commercial service for wired television.
• 1971: First broadcast of politicians on 'The Late Late Show' on RTÉ Television - six TDs are interviewed by Gay Byrne and John Whale of 'The Irish Times'.
• 31 March 1971: Cigarette advertising on RTÉ Television ceases.
• 17 March 1971: First broadcast of home-originated programme in colour, the Railway Cup Finals from Croke Park, Dublin.
• 3 April 1971: Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, presented by Bernadette Ní Ghallchóir, at Dublin's The Gaiety Theatre. The live broadcast is in colour. RTÉ are the host broadcasters.
• June 1971: Taoiseach Jack Lynch states that it is unsuitable for publicly funded broadcasting to broadcast representatives of illegal organizations. RTÉ responds that such a change will require the implementation of Section 31. No written directive is issued.
• 11 June 1971: Final broadcast of 'Newsbeat' on RTÉ Television.
• 1 October 1971: An Taoiseach issues the first directive based on Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act which requires RTÉ "to refrain from broadcasting any matter of the following class, i.e., any matter that could be calculated to promote the aims or activities of any organization which engages in, promotes, encourages or advocates the attaining of any particular objective by violent means".
• 28 September 1971: 'Seven Days' broadcast interviews with both branches of the IRA on RTÉ Television.
• 29 September 1971: First broadcast of 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator', satirical comedy series presented by Frank Hall, on RTÉ Television.
• 1 October 1971: Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Gerry Collins issues a directive to prevent broadcasting of all material that might promote aims of organisations that use violent means to further their aims. This directive is renewed every year until June 1994. No Dáil or Seanad member ever tables a motion to challenge directive until 1994.
• June 1971: Broadcasting Review Commission established.
• December 1972: Radio Melinda, Dublin pirate radio station, prosecuted.
• 2 April 1972: First broadcast of Raidió na Gaeltachta, from purpose-built studios at Casla, Conamara.
• 23 June 1972: Government meets with RTÉ Authority to complain of use of mute film of members of IRA on RTÉ Television.
• 19 November 1972: RTÉ Radio broadcasts report by Kevin O'Kelly based on a transcript of an interview with a senior member of the IRA.
• 24 November 1972: RTÉ Authority dismissed by government. New authority appointed.
• 26 November 1972: RTÉ Reporter Kevin O'Kelly convicted of contempt of court when he refuses, during the trial of Seán MacStiofáin, to identify the defendant as the subject of his reported interview.
• 20 January 1973: First interlinked broadcasts from regional studios of Raidió na Gaeltachta.
• February 1973: Broadcasting Review Committee publish interim report recommending the establishment of a second RTÉ Television channel which would broadcast a mix of domestic and foreign programming.
• 5 February 1973: First broadcast of 'The Gay Byrne Hour' on RTÉ Radio.
• 14 March 1973: Dr Conor Cruise O'Brien appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1973: RTÉ Annual Report publishes statistics reporting that 77% (542,000) of households in the Republic have a television set; 530,000 have a television licence and 27,000 have colour televisions.
• 1974: Limit on number of households that can be connected to high-specification aerial abolished. It is agreed the aerial contractors will pay RTÉ a percentage of gross rental income to compensate for estimated loss of advertising income due to competition with other television stations.
• 1974: RTÉ establishes cable company, RTÉ Relays Ltd. (later called Cablelink).
• May 1974: Broadcasting Review Committee publishes report which recommends second television channel.
• 1975: Oliver Maloney appointed Director-General of RTÉ.
• 1975: Radio Liberties, an experiment in community radio, first broadcast by RTÉ.
• 6 January 1975: First broadcast of 'News for the Deaf' on RTÉ Television. This is the first daily broadcast of news for the deaf.
• 23 September 1975: First broadcast of 'Going Strong' on RTÉ Television, a series for the elderly presented by Bunny Carr and Ann O'Dwyer.
• October 1975: First broadcast of woman newsreader, Geraldine McInerney, on RTÉ Television.
• 18 October 1976: Minister Conor Cruise O'Brien issues a directive to RTÉ which supplies clarifications on directive of 1971. The Minister specifies the particular organisations whose members are banned from broadcast.
• 21 December 1976: Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act enacted, which includes an amendment to Section 31 and establishes the Broadcasting Complaints Commission.
• 05 July 1977: Pádraig Faulkner appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1977: RTÉ Television begins new policy in programming schedule to focus on prime time slot (8-10 p.m.).
• March 1978: George T. Waters appointed Director-General of RTÉ .
• 2 November 1978: First broadcast of RTÉ 2 television service.
• January 1979: RTÉ sets up internal working party to investigate representation of women in news reporting. Report of working party is published in April 1981.
• 31 May 1979: First broadcast of RTÉ Radio 2 radio service with emphasis on pop music. Twenty-five pirate radio stations operating in Ireland in the same year.
• 31 May 1979: First broadcast of 'Women Today', presented by Marian Finucane and produced by Clare Duignan.
• 4 June 1979: First broadcast of 'Bosco', children's programme on RTÉ Television which ran until 1996 (first broadcast was of eight-part pilot series).
• 29 September - 1 October 1979: RTÉ provides extensive television and radio coverage of the visit if Pope John Paul II to Ireland.
• 2 October 1979: First broadcast of Mary McAleese as reporter on 'Frontline', RTÉ Television current affairs programme.
• 12 December 1979: Albert Reynolds appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 6 January 1980: First broadcast of 'Bracken' rural television drama serial. Cast included Gabriel Byrne and Dana Wynter.
• 19 April 1980: Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest with 'What's Another Year?' by Shay Healy, performed by Johnny Logan, at The Hague, The Netherlands.
• 16 March 1980: First broadcast of 'Strumpet City', drama series on RTÉ Television based on novel by James Plunkett.
• 27 May 1980: RTÉ Television broadcast interview with member of IRSP (the organization is not proscribed under Section 31).
• 9 July 1980: First broadcast to camera on RTÉ Television of news reporter Charlie Bird.
• 4 October 1980: First broadcast of 'Anything Goes' young people's show on RTÉ Television as part of development of young people's programming.
• April 1981: Working Party on Women in Broadcasting presents its report to the RTÉ Authority.
• 4 April 1981: Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest presented by Doireann Ní Bhriain at The RDS, Dublin.
• 17 June 1981: RTÉ broadcast seventeen continuous hours of coverage of the General Election results.
• 30 June 1981: Patrick Cooney appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 1981: RTÉ gets special permission from government to broadcast two television programmes of RTÉ/BBC co-produced series, 'The Troubles'. Both programmes include interviews with proscribed organizations.
• 11 November 1981: First broadcast of 'Anois 's Arís' Irish language educational series for adults on RTÉ Television.
• 1982: MRBI poll shows that of respondents who express interest in current affairs, 53% depend on television, 20% on radio and 17% on newspapers for their primary source of information.
• February 1982: Government issues directive to RTÉ to prohibit party political broadcasts by Sinn Féin (general election is held on 18 February 1982).
• 9 March 1982: John P. Wilson appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 16 June 1982: Broadcast of an unedited and uninterrupted reading of James Joyce's 'Ulysses' on RTÉ Radio: at just over 30 hours, the reading of the novel is RTÉ Radio's longest uninterrupted broadcast.
• 13 July 1982: First broadcast of 'Women Talking' women's RTÉ Radio programme.
• 31 October 1982: First broadcast of 'The Ballroom of Romance' drama on RTÉ Television (co-produced by RTÉ and BBC) based on the novel by William Trevor.
• 18 November 1982: First broadcast of 'The Year of the French' drama series on RTÉ Television based on the novel by Thomas Flanagan (co-produced by RTÉ, Channel 4 and FR3).
• 12 December 1982: Emmy award won by 'Is there one who understands me?' RTÉ Television documentary to commemorate the centenary of the birth of James Joyce, produced by Seán Ó Mordha.
• 14 December 1982: Jim Mitchell appointed Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
• 11 September 1983: First broadcast of 'Glenroe' rural drama serial on RTÉ Television.
• 2 October 1983: First broadcast of 'Murphy's Micro-Quiz-M' quiz show on RTÉ Television. The show featured the use of computers.
• 27 October 1983: 'Salute to Irish Television', an evening of RTÉ Television programmes, presented in the Lincoln Centre, New York by The International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences of the U.S.A..
• 29 October 1983: 'The Late Late Show' is broadcast live from New York.
• 24 November 1983: First broadcast of 'Access Community Television' series of programmes on RTÉ Television made by several groups in Irish society such as seminarians, young travellers and Garda trainees.
• 2 January 1984: Jim Mitchell appointed Minister for Communications with responsibility for broadcasting.
• February 1984: First broadcast on RTÉ Television of news reports transmitted by satellite when Charlie Bird reports from the Philippines on the imprisonment, trial and subsequent release of Fr. Niall O'Brien.
• 1-4 June 1984: Live coverage of the visit of U.S. President Reagan includes 'Today Tonight' television interview with President Reagan recorded in Washington. A special 'Newstime' is broadcast on U.S. network television. During the visit, twice-daily RTÉ newsfeeds are sent to Eurovision for world distribution.
• 3 November 1984: First broadcast of 'Morning Ireland' and 'Today at Five' RTÉ Radio news programmes.
• March 1985: Vincent Finn appointed Director-General of RTÉ.
• 24 December 1985: Final broadcast of 'The Riordans' on RTÉ radio (originally a television series, the show switched to radio in 1979).
• 29 September 1986: First broadcast of Dempsey's Den on RTÉ Television, presented by Ian Dempsey with puppets, Zig and Zag. 'Dempsey's Den' presented children's afternoon programmes.
• 9 November 1986: First broadcast of 'Questions and Answers' current affairs programme on RTÉ Television, presented by Olivia O'Leary.
• 10-31 March 1987: John P. Wilson appointed Minister for Communications with responsibility for broadcasting.
• 31 March 1987: Ray Burke appointed Minister for Communications with reponsibility for broadcasting.
• 9 May 1987: Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Hold Me Now' composed and performed by Johnny Logan, at Brussels, Belgium.
• 22 June 1987: Introduction of 'Aertel' teletext service on RTÉ Television.
• 30 April 1988: Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest presented by Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca at The RDS, Dublin.
• 3 July 1988: Broadcasting and Wireless Telegraphy Act enacted concerning licensing for broadcasting.
• 18 September 1989: First broadcast of 'Fair City', urban drama serial on RTÉ Television
• 24 July 1990: Broadcasting Act enacted which includes amendments to legislation in relation to advertising and commerical promotion.
• 30 January 1991: First broadcast of Dáil proceedings on regular basis.
• 7 February 1991: Seamus Brennan appointed Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications with responsibility for broadcasting.
• 11 January 1992: Máire Geoghegan-Quinn appointed Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications with responsibility for broadcasting.
• 9 May 1992: Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Why Me?' by Johnny Logan, performed by Linda Martin, at Malmo, Sweden.
• 23 July 1992: Joe Barry appointed Director-General of RTÉ.
• 28 December 1992: First broadcast of 'Ros na Rún', Irish language drama serial on RTÉ Television (originally in fifteen-minute segments).
• 1993: Independent Production Unit established by RTÉ (IPU) as part of its response to the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act 1993.
• 12-22 January 1993: Charlie McCreevy appointed Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications with responsibility for broadcasting.
• 21 January 1993: Michael D. Higgins appointed Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for broadcasting.
• 15 May 1993: Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest presented by Fionnuala Sweeney at Millstreet, County Cork. Ireland wins with 'In Your Eyes' by Jimmy Walsh, performed by Niamh Kavanagh.
• 30 June 1993: Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act enacted concerning independent television programmes.
• 19 January 1994: Section 31 directive ended by Minister Michael D. Higgins.
• 30 April 1994: Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest presented by Gerry Ryan and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, at The Point Theatre. Ireland wins with 'Rock 'n' Roll Kids' by Brendan Graham, performed by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan. The interval act is 'Riverdance' by Bill Whelan.
• 31 August 1994: IRA ceasefire announced when RTÉ Newsroom receives a cassette and a written message from the IRA confirming the details of the ceasefire.
• 17 November 1994: Bertie Ahern appointed Tánaiste and Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for broadcasting.
• 15 December 1994: Michael D. Higgins re-appointed Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for broadcasting.
• 13 May 1995: Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, presented by Mary Kennedy, at The Point Theatre, Dublin.
• July 1995: RTÉ appoints Mark Little as first Washington Correspondent.
• 18 May 1996: Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest with 'The Voice' by Brendan Graham, performed by Eimear Quinn, at Oslo, Norway.
• 24 May 1996: Publication of www.rte.ie.
• 31 October 1996: First broadcast of Teilifís na Gaeilge.
• 8 January 1997: Bob Collins appointed Director-General of RTÉ.
• 21 April 1997: First broadcast of tribunal re-enactments on 'The Vincent Browne Show' on RTÉ Radio.
• 3 May 1997: Ireland hosts the Eurovision Song Contest presented by Carrie Crowley and Ronan Keating at The Point Theatre, Dublin. Televoting is introduced.
• 12 June 1997: Síle de Valera appointed Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (with responsibility for broadcasting).
• September 1997: The RTÉ Authority makes proposals seeking Government approval to find a partner to fund digital terrestrial television (DTT).
• 24 December 1998: Final broadcast of 'The Gay Byrne Show' on RTÉ Radio.
• 1 February 1999: First broadcast of RTÉ News Online.
• 1 May 1999: First broadcast of RTÉ Lyric FM, RTÉ's music and arts radio station with emphasis on classical music.
• 6 May 1999: CableLink, of which RTÉ owns 25% stake and which provides television and radio signals to 360,000 customers in three cities, is sold to NTL Commmunications for more than £535 million.
• 21 May 1999: Final broadcast of Gay Byrne as presenter of 'The Late Late Show' on RTÉ Television.
• 4 November 1999: Broadcasting Bill presented to An Dáil. The Bill addresses the emergence of digital media and establishes the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (formerly IRTC).
• 2000: RTÉ undergo re-structuring programme.
• 2000: Programme Development Fund established by RTÉ to invest £25 million in indigenous programming over five years.
• 2000: RTÉ have deficit of £11.23 million at the end of the year (In the previous 15 years public funding has been increased once only).
• 2000: 'Mooney Goes Wild on One', RTÉ Radio programme on wildlife and the environment, wins Prix Futura at Berlin Radio Awards.
• 1 June 2000: New RTÉ Authority appointed.
• 2001: RTÉ celebrate 75 years of brodcasting with a series of programmes and events to mark the occasion.
• 1 February 2001: First broadcast of 'Beckett on Film', series of film adaptations of the complete collection of Samuel Beckett's dramatic works on RTÉ Television.
• 14 March 2001: Broadcasting Act enacted which includes new obligations of accountability for RTÉ.
• 6 May 2001: Final broadcast of 'Glenroe' on RTÉ Television.
• 03 July 2001: Minister Síle de Valera announces increase in licence fee to £84.50.
• October 2001: Sub-titling of RTÉ Television News introduced.
• November 2001: First round-the-clock broadcast of Raidió na Gaeltachta.
• 3 November 2001: RTÉ signs up to Sky Digital Platform (first broadcast 23 April 2002).
• 2002-2005: RTÉ Strategic Plan.
• 2002: Forum on Broadcasting held at Royal Hospital, Kilmainham in Dublin broadcast on RTÉ Television and RTÉ Radio.
• 14 January 2002: First broadcast of 'No Tears' drama series on RTÉ Television.
• 6 June 2002: Dermot Ahern appointed Minister for Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, with responsibility for broadcasting. Responsibility for broadcasting is transferred from Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
• 'Voicejazz' produced by Ronan Guilfoyle, Eithne Hand and Mark McGrath for RTÉ Radio 1 wins Prix Italia for Music Programmes Category.
• March 2002: 'Give Up Yer Aul Sins' animation produced by Brown Bag Films for RTÉ Television is nominated for Oscar for Animated Short Film.
• 29 August 2002: Report of the Forum on Broadcasting submitted to government.
• 27 October 2002: First broadcast of 'You're a Star' on RTÉ Television, text-voting talent show to select Ireland's Eurovision entry produced by ShinAwil Productions for RTÉ.
• December 2002: Increase in licence fee by €43, black-and-white licence fee abolished, mechanism to seek annual increase in fee, five year review of fee and commitment to introduce proposals for a commercial television licence fee.
• 2002-3: RTÉ news reporters based in Baghdad, northern Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Jerusalem, in addition to Washington and London correspondents, report during Ireland's membership of Security Council and during war in Iraq.
• 2003: Broadcasting fund established.
• 2003: Structural reform in RTÉ creates new Integrated Business Divisions (IBD): Television, Radio, News, Publishing, Network and Performing Groups.
• 2003: Atlantic 252 ceases broadcasting but RTÉ acquires all broadcasting assests and infrastructure to enable the use of the long wave frequency for Public Service Broadcasting.
• 2003: BSkyB gives access in U.K. to all four RTÉ Radio stations.
• January 2003 : 'Stories from The Twin Towers', documentary by RTÉ News by Caroline Bleahan and Jim Fahy wins the Gold World Medal for top 9-11 documentary at The New York Festival's 45th annual Television Programming Awards ceremony.
• 2003: Video self-editing by journalists becomes fully operational; videophone technology in use for foreign reports; satellite phone links used for live foreign RTÉ Radio reports; Using 'clipmail' RTÉ sends television news packages from Liberia to Dublin for broadcast on RTÉ Television.
• January 2003: First broadcast of 'News2Day', television news bulletin for children on 'The Den', Network 2 (now RTÉ TWO). The service is supported by The National Children's Office.
• 03 March 2003: Tara Television which broadcast RTÉ programmes to U.K. goes into liquidation.
• 7 May 2003: RTÉ publish first annual Statement of Commitments.
• June 2003: Broadcast of 'Voice of the Games' dedicated radio station operated by RTÉ, for the Special Olympics hosted in Ireland.
• 13 June 2003: 'Cabin Fever', RTÉ's "Reality TV" ship sinks.
• 3 July 2003: Cathal Goan appointed Director-General of RTÉ.
• 16 July 2003: RTÉ publish a Code of Fair Trading Practice.
• September 2003: First broadcasts of 'Newsbeat', current affairs programme for young people, on 2FM.
• 20 November 2003: RTÉ Audience Council announced.
• January 2004: Increase of €2 on licence fee.
• June 2004: Public Service Broadcasting Charter published by Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern.
• 29 September 2004: Noel Dempsey appointed Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
• November 2004: 'RTÉ's Guiding Principles - Implementing the Public Service Broadcasting Charter' published by RTÉ.
• 3 March 2005: Taoiseach Bertie Ahern officially opens RTÉ's new London office and studio at 4, Millbank, opposite the British Houses of Parliament.
• 29 May 2005: RTÉ Annual Report announces €6.8 million operating profit; it also reports that RTÉ ONE and RTÉ TWO can be received by 99.1% of the Irish population.