Audio

Douglas Hyde Opens 2RN 1 January 1926

Douglas Hyde, founder of the Gaelic League and later first President of the Irish Free State, officially opens 2RN.

Listen here to an extract from Douglas Hyde's address at the opening of 2RN on 1 January 1926. Speaking in Irish, Hyde talks of his hope for radio as a unifying force for Irish listeners.

2RN began broadcasting from a studio and office at 36 Little Denmark Street, Dublin. The transmitter was a 1.5 KW Marconi Q type, broadcasting on 390 meters from a hut in McKee Barracks beside the Phoenix Park.

The station call-sign was originated by the British Post Office, the authority responsible at that time, and the name 2RN was thought to be inspired by the last three syllables of the song title "Come Back To Erin".

The photograph accompanying this clip shows Séamus Hughes the first full time 2RN announcer.

The photographer was Joseph Cashman

© RTÉ Stills Library 0508/035

Douglas Hyde, Broadcast Media, Séamus Hughes, 2RN, RTÉ, Broadcasting, Radio, Media

Ireland

Factual

The Media

2RN

1926

Ireland

BB12739

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part/extract

Mono

Irish (gle)