RTÉ Radio 1 dates back to January 1st 1926, when the Dublin radio station 2RN began broadcasting on a regular basis.

A relay of 2RN in Cork, known as 6CK, opened in 1927. A high power transmitter at Athlone in County Westmeath, opened in 1932. From then onwards the three stations became known as Radio Athlone, later being renamed Radio Éireann in 1937.

Like most European national stations at that time, Radio Éireann tried to be all things to all listeners on its single channel. It broadcast a mix of heavy and light entertainment, Irish language programming and talks. Sponsored programming, which also featured in the schedule, tended to be lighter and more popular than the programming made directly by Radio Éireann itself.

Radio Éireann began FM transmission in 1966, and was renamed RTÉ Radio later that year. RTÉ Radio became known as RTÉ Radio 1 in 1979 upon the establishment of the rock and pop station RTÉ Radio 2 (now 2FM).

RTÉ Radio 1 broadcasts a mixture of news, current affairs, features, arts coverage, drama, sport, music (from popular music favourites through country and traditional to world music and jazz), and general entertainment.

Today RTÉ Radio 1 is available in Ireland on FM, 567 kHz MW and 252 kHz LW. It is also available on the web and from the Astra 2 and Hotbird satellites in Europe. Listeners outside Europe can hear a selection of RTÉ Radio 1 programmes on the WRN service.

External link

• Official site