Photographs from the night Ireland's first television service Telefís Éireann began broadcasting.
Telefís Éireann (later called RTÉ Television) began broadcasting on New Year's Eve in 1961.
The new television station was officially launched by President Eamon de Valera who made an address to the nation on screen for the first time.
Never before was there in the hands of men an instrument so powerful to influence the thoughts and actions of the multitude.
Celebrations took place in the ballroom of the Gresham Hotel from where an outside broadcast unit relayed pictures.
Kathleen Watkins on Telefís Éireann's opening night (1961).
The Army No 1 Band and Irish singer Patrick O'Hagan, perform to a crowd outside the Gresham Hotel on Dublin's O'Connell Street on Telefís Éireann's opening night, New Year's Eve 1961.
Producer/director Louis Lentin (first right) with cameraman Michael (Mike) Slevin (centre) and lighting director Randall Miles, on opening night at RTÉ Studios in Donnybrook.
Technicians at work in a technical operations area in the Television Centre building at RTÉ's Montrose campus in Donnybrook, Dublin, during Telefís Éireann's opening night on New Year's Eve 1961.
Canon McCarthy, Edward (EJ) Roth, the first Director-General of Telefís Éireann, President Eamon de Valera and broadcaster Eamonn Andrews, then Chairman of Radio Éireann.
The Army No 1 Band and Irish singer Patrick O'Hagan, perform to a crowd outside the Gresham Hotel on Dublin's O'Connell Street on Telefís Éireann's opening night, New Year's Eve 1961.
Dublin's Gresham Hotel, during Telefís Éireann's opening night on New Year's Eve 1961.
