Irish radio to celebrate 100 years in 2026

Ireland will celebrate the centenary of its first public radio broadcast in 2026, marking 100 years of public service broadcasting. The inaugural broadcast, delivered by Douglas Hyde – who later became Ireland’s first president – aired on January 1, 1926, on station 2RN, a precursor to RTÉ.

The Birth of Irish Radio

Hyde addressed the nation in both Irish and English at 7:45 p.m., speaking of the need to establish a station that would serve as the voice of Ireland and take its place among European nations with existing radio services.

RTÉ will commemorate the milestone with a series of special programs and performances. Live broadcasts are planned from the General Post Office (GPO) across RTÉ Radio One, 2FM, Lyric FM, and Raidió na Gaeltachta on January 15.

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra will also present a series of performances nationwide with live audiences.

Record Listenership and Future Focus

A century after 2RN’s launch, radio continues to attract record audiences in Ireland. Currently, 33 commercial radio stations and 21 community stations broadcast across the country, reaching almost 3.5 million listeners each weekday.

RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst emphasized the enduring importance of public service media, stating, “While much has changed, the need for strong, independent and trusted public service media, available to everyone, has never been greater.” He added that the celebrations will look both back at the past 100 years and forward to how RTÉ will serve audiences in the future, focusing on combating disinformation, supporting creativity and innovation, and reflecting Irish culture and diversity.

RTÉ Archives has audio clips available from the original broadcast by Douglas Hyde, officially opening 2RN on January 1, 1926.