Memories from the opening night of the first Irish public radio service.
On the 1 January 1926 Ireland's first national radio service began to broadcast with the call sign of 2RN. The opening evening began at 7.45 p.m. with the inauguration address delivered by Douglas Hyde. This was followed by a programme of music and song.
Here you can listen to a recorded extract from Douglas Hyde's speech and the memories of two female artists who preformed on the opening night.
In the studio, a warehouse bulding in Little Denmark Street, Dublin Station Director Seamus Clandillon, Musical Director Vincent O'Brien, Announcer Seamus Hughes, Douglas Hyde and the singers and musicians for the broadcast were gathered.
The 2RN station announcer Séamus Hughes was the first voice heard at 7.45 p.m.
Sé seo Radio Bhaile Átha Cliath ag Glaodhach. This is 2RN the Dublin Broadcasting Station calling.
He was followed by Douglas Hyde who spoke in English and Irish. The musical entertainment for the evening began with the No. 1 Army Band playing at Beggars Bush barracks under the leadership of Colonel Fritz Brase.
The first female voice on the new radio service was that of contralto Joan Burke. Speaking almost 50 years later with Pádraic Ó Raghallaigh she recalled her experience of the night.
Running up the stairs in Denmark Street to the studio...there was only just the one room and there were already several people in it. Mr Clandillon came forward to me and welcomed me.
Joan Burke remembers the other artists who also performed on the night and how the whole experience of not being able to see the audience was so new to them all. She was so nervous and preoccupied by her own debut on radio that she has no recollection of Douglas Hyde's speech.
Joan Burke received an appearance fee of three guineas for the engagement.
Another performer on the night was pianist Dina Copeman who also was a little nervous and recalls being ushered into a dark room where she was to play. Adding to her tension was the presence of the music critic Harold White who wrote for 'The Irish Independent'.
My impression of the whole thing was horror when I saw Harold White there because I didn't really know the piece I was asked to play by an Irish composer.
Extract from Douglas Hyde's address on the first broadcast of 2RN on the 01 January 1926.
Joan Burke in conversation with Pádraic Ó Raghallaigh recorded on 01 January 1975.
Dina Copeman spoke to Any O'Mahony for 'Orpheus Ascending' broadcast 11 January 1986
