President Éamon de Valera is the first person to speak on Ireland's first television station. Addressing the audience in Irish and English the President outlines his hopes and fears for television.
President of Ireland Éamon de Valera warns that,
...never before was there in the hands of men an instrument so powerful to influence the thoughts and actions of the multitude.
The 79 year old President speaking to the nation expresses his nervousness and his hopes for the new media.
De Valera had dominated Irish politics for 30 years now the ageing president with failing sight was the first person to appear on the new television channel when Ireland was beginning to undergo social and economic change.
The schedule for the opening night of Telefís Éireann (later RTÉ) featured not only political statements but also reflected the position of the Catholic Church as both benediction and an address by Cardinal D'Alton featured in the evening's programming.
Title: |
Opening Night President's Address |
Clip Duration: |
00:06:40 |
Material Type: |
Video |
Clip Title: |
President First On New Television Service |
Information: |
The 79 year old President speaking to the nation expresses his nervousness and his hopes for the new media. De Valera had dominated Irish politics for 30 years now the ageing president with failing sight was the first person to appear on the new television channel when Ireland was beginning to undergo social and economic change. The schedule for the opening night of Telefís Éireann (later RTÉ) featured not only politcal statements but also reflected the position of the Catholic Church as both benediction and an address by Cardinal D'Alton featured in the evening's programme. |
Local Keywords: |
Éamon de Valera, 1961, Television, Broadcasting, Media |
Coverage: |
Ireland |
Topic: |
The Media |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
First Broadcast Channel: |
Telefís Éireann |
Broadcast Date: |
31/12/1961 |
Production Year: |
1961 |
Country of Production: |
Ireland |
Original Identifier: |
P81/00062 |
IPR Restrictions: |
Rights Reserved - Free Access |
Rights, Terms and Conditions: |
Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Libraries and Archives. If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us. RTÉ Libraries and Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us. |
Item Type: |
whole |
Colour: |
Black and White |
Sound: |
Mono |
Aspect Ratio: |
4:3 |
Language: |
English (eng) |
Original Language: |
English (eng) |
