Telefís Éireann Opening Night 1961

Opening night of Telefís Éireann on New Year's Eve 1961.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Robert Briscoe (right) is pictured with Lillian (Lily) Melanie Briscoe (née Isaacs) and Mayor John Griffin.

Thanks to all who contacted us to help us identify the people in this photograph.

This shot was probably taken in Dublin's Gresham Hotel.
Photographer: Lensmen & Associates
Date of photograph: 31 December, 1961
© RTÉ Stills Library 2492/030

Telefís Éireann (later called RTÉ Television) began broadcasting that evening at 7.00pm. Celebrations took place in the ballroom of the Gresham Hotel from where an outside broadcast unit relayed pictures.