Raidió Teilifís Éireann is the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. RTÉ's radio service began on 1 January 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on 31 December 1961, making it one of the oldest continuously operating public service broadcasters in the world.

This radio documentary was made to mark the maiden broadcast of Ireland's first ever television service.

But what was involved in setting up television in Ireland for the first time?

From ads in the newspapers for new roles, to the building of the site of the RTÉ transmitting mast on Kippure, this documentary takes a look at the vast amount of hard work, and people power it took to get Ireland's first ever television service up and running.

Produced by Norris Davidson

First broadcast 31st December 1961

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries.