RT unveils The Signal' a specially commissioned 60-second film to celebrate RT100

RT 100

RT unveils The Signal' a specially commissioned 60-second film

to celebrate 100 Years of Public Broadcasting in Ireland

WATCH The Signal'

RT 100 Additional Details Announced

Wednesday 15th April 2026: RT is today launching a new 60-second film, The Signal' as part of its campaign to mark 100 years of public service media in Ireland in 2026.

In 1926, a radio signal left the 2RN transmitter for the very first time. 2RN was the precursor to RT . This transmitter carried voices into homes across the country, shrinking distances and shaping a shared national story. Over the decades that followed, that signal has travelled through time and technology, adapting as the ways we listen and watch have changed. But through it all, it has reflected who we are and brought the nation together.

Developed by RT 's in house Creative Services and Marketing/Brand teams and produced by Dublin's Piranha Bar following a public tender process, The Signal' brings to life the journey of that first signal, from the first crackle of radio through a century of change, connection and shared belonging. The film is a distinctive blend of live action and animation, and features the voice of Irish actress, Ruth Codd with sound design by Folding Waves.

The Signal' will be rolled out across RT 's video and digital services throughout the remainder of 2026 and will inspire a range of new RT 100 idents for RT One. The short film will sit alongside a range of special broadcasts, content, performances and events which are part of the RT 100 programme. It follows the introduction of RT 100 graphical and audio signage across RT 's video and audio services in January.

The launch of The Signal' comes as RT reveals some additional details about programmes, commissions and events to mark 100 years of public service broadcasting in Ireland.

RT 100 UPDATES

>>> RT Concert Orchestra Special Events

The RT Concert Orchestra will present a series of special performances around the country in front of live audiences and live on RT Radio 1 and RT lyric fm.

Sunday 19th April: Special commission for New Music Dublin at the National Concert Hall

(Fanfare: From 2RN to RT Celebrating 100 years)

The RT Concert Orchestra opens its 2026 New Music Dublin concert with Jane O'Leary's Fanfare: From 2RN to RT - Celebrating 100 Years, a special commission composed in celebration of RT 100, marking a century since the newly formed state's first public radio transmission. This is followed by the world premiere of Kevin O'Connell's Paradiso.

RT lyric fm will broadcast this live on the station on Sunday with a specially scheduled RT lyric Live, as part of our New Music Dublin coverage, with Paul Herriott from 7.00pm.

This event is presented by New Music Dublin with support from the Arts Council and in partnership with RT and the National Concert Hall.

Thursday 23rd April: Performance with Aoife N Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy in The Helix, DCU

The RT Concert Orchestra will perform a special commission, Aistear (100 bliain cheoil RT ) with two of Ireland's most distinctive musicians, Aoife N Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy, as part of a compelling programme, informed by a shared musical heritage and transformed through a contemporary lens.

This piece will be recorded in studio on 18th - 19th May.

>>> On RT Radio 1/ RT Podcasts

On Air: A Century of RT Radio

On Air: A Century of RT Radio is a ten-part half-hour radio and podcast series. From episodes on sounds and voices to music, drama, Gaeilge, milestones, commemorations and celebrations, the arts, emigration and new communities, belief and spirituality, sports and more, On Air is a story of what and how we uniquely expressed ourselves on RT radio across a century.

The accompanying full colour extensively illustrated hardback book, On Air: A Story of a Century of RT Radio by Cl odhna N Anluain will be published with New Island in October, with photographs and documents from the RT Archives and elsewhere, many published for the first time.

RT Radio 1's Spoken Stories

RT Radio 1's Spoken Stories commissions new story collections on different themes from writers across the Island, or living in the country, all celebrated for their contribution to the short story form. The latest theme, Sound, has been specially chosen to chime with RT 100. Contributing writers include Lucy Caldwell, Aingeala Flannery and David Park.

On Friday 24th April the first RT 100 public audience event of Spoken Stories: Sound takes place in the Triskel, Cork as part of the official programme of Cork World Book Festival 2026 and will include writers, Cathy Sweeney and Danielle McLaughlin in conversation with RT 's Cl odhna N Anluain.

Rolling Wave Outside Broadcasts and Mobile Exhibition

The Rolling Wave and the Irish Traditional Music Archive will be working together on two projects marking RT Radio 100. The first is an audio exhibition which will be staged in a number of different venues around the country from July 2026. This will involve showcasing RT Radio Archive material as well as recording new material from contemporary artists on site.

In addition, ITMA's annual Drawing from the Well Concert Tour will partner with The Rolling Wave/ RT 100 to celebrate the solo voice in Irish music. Leading traditional artists Se n McKeon (uilleann pipes), Jesse Smith (fiddle) and Libby McCrohan (bouzouki) and local guests will perform music inspired by material sourced from the RT and ITMA Archives. The concert will feature a panel dialogue to discuss the solo player in Irish music, chaired by RT broadcaster Aoife Nic Cormaic and ITMA Director of Creative Development Se n Potts. The discussion will include excerpts from the Archive, chosen by the performing artists. This t

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