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.

Roibeárd Ó Faracháin (1909 - 1984) (born Robert Farren), Irish poet and Controller of Radio Programmes at RTÉ (1953-1974) date of photograph 1st January 1963.

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