The first stamp of An Post's 2026 Stamp Programme, marking 100 Years of Broadcasting, was unveiled at the GPO by Patrick O'Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport at the GPO today.
This stamp celebrates a historic milestone in Irish cultural life and the triumphant evolution of broadcasting over the last century in Ireland. The first radio broadcasting station in the Irish Free State, 2RN, went on air on New Year's Day 1926. Television followed on New Year's Eve 1961 when Teilif s ireann (later called RT Television) began broadcasting.
The stamp features a striking antenna' surrounded by transmission signals radiating across the nation, by Dublin design agency Red&Grey. A limited-edition first day cover envelope is also available from anpost.com/shop with free delivery and at selected post offices from 15th January.
From its inception to its current role as the national public service media, RT has remained at the heart of the story of broadcasting in Ireland. Today, RT 's video, audio, and digital services, alongside the RT Concert Orchestra, inform, engage and entertain a diverse global Irish community. This centenary milestone is the story of the evolution of a nation as much as it is the story of public broadcasting on our island.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, said: When 2rn began broadcasting, this nation was only in its infancy in the first years of independence, and with limited resources, the State prioritised finding and sharing a new voice for the nation. This established, here in Ireland, a medium which to this day remains one of the most accessible and engaging forms of communication and self-expression - which is as popular today as ever with the majority of people here in Ireland still listening to radio on a daily basis. Through this medium, 2rn and RT - as well as the many commercial, local and community radio services have played an intrinsic role in the formation and sustaining of modern Irish identity, culture and even our character.
The 100 years of Broadcasting' postage stamp marks the centenary of one of the most important steps in the building of a new, independent and confident nation that actively wanted to share a voice that was original and uniquely our own.
Commenting, RT Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst said: The recognition by An Post of 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland and the special role public media continues to play in Ireland is so important, particularly at a time when we face much uncertainty and many challenges in the world. Our organisations have a significant shared history with the first public radio broadcast by the fledgling new Irish state's on New Year's Day 1926 being overseen by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, so the launch of a commemorative stamp by An Post is a great companion to our special RT radio broadcasts from the GPO tomorrow and our programme of broadcasts and events throughout this milestone year.
RT 's Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan said: It is great to see 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland being celebrated though a commemorative stamp by An Post as we officially launch this centenary year with a range of special broadcasts across RT Radio 1, 2FM, lyric fm and Raidi na Gaeltachta live from the GPO tomorrow. While our programme of broadcasts and events this year is celebratory, it is equally considered, prompting reflection and discussion on why public service media matters and why it is worth fighting for.
David McRedmond, CEO of An Post remarked: An Post and RTE have a shared provenance in the foundation of the State, and a home in the GPO. We congratulate our sister company on 100 years of great public service.
On Thursday 15th January, RT will broadcast live from the General Post Office to mark this important anniversary. Originally located in Little Denmark Street, 2RN moved into the GPO in 1928 and operated from there until 1976. The broadcast will feature RT 2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz & Aisling, Radio 1's Today with David McCullagh, lyric fm's The Full Score, Raidi na Gaeltachta's T s ite and Radio 1's Arena.
More from RTE
15/04/2026
Two Cities Television and Keeper Pictures to produce six-part series in association with Screen Ireland for RT and ITV Studios
RT has commissioned Two Citie...
15/04/2026
RT 100
RT unveils The Signal' a specially commissioned 60-second film
...
13/04/2026
The search for Ireland's newest country music star is live on Friday 17 Apri...
13/04/2026
RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1...
13/04/2026
The Late Late Show Opening Act, the search for Ireland's newest country musi...
13/04/2026
RT has today announced the appointment of Annemarie Britz to the position of Chief Financial Officer, RT following a public competition.
Annemarie Britz is c...
09/04/2026
RT Sport has announced Brian Fenton will join its Sunday Game GAA punditry panel for the 2026 Championship, featuring across video, audio, online including the...
09/04/2026
Doireann N Ghlac in returns as presenter, with the first episode airing this Friday at 8.30pm on RT One and RT Player
The beloved walking series Tracks & T...
08/04/2026
Young Forever: The Death of Ageing? airs Monday 13 April and 20 April on RT One and RT Player
Around the world, the race to beat ageing is on. From cutting ...
07/04/2026
THE GAA CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BACK WITH A BANG
LIVE AND FREE TO AIR ACROSS ALL RT PLATFORMS
The Sunday Game and The Sunday Game Live return on Sunday 12 April
L...
02/04/2026
2FM Breakfast to extend on weekday mornings from 6am to 10am
Doireann Garrihy m...
02/04/2026
RT News & Current Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of RT Radio 1 reporter, Barry Lenihan, as Political Correspondent.
Barry has reported across...
01/04/2026
Rugby fans won't miss a moment of the action this spring, with full Women...
01/04/2026
T Bluey ag teacht go RT ! Beginning on Monday 6 April 2026, Bluey will be available as Gaeilge on RT KIDSjr and RT Player. Children will be able to connect w...
27/03/2026
RT Supporting the Arts
RT is Supporting 20 Arts and Cultural Events all over Ireland this April
RT is proud to support an exciting month of arts and cul...
27/03/2026
Average of 1.37 million viewers watched Irish World Cup heartbreak on RT 2
Over one million streams on RT Player
Highest number of streams for any single eve...
26/03/2026
RT Commercial today announced Fiat as sponsor of The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1, Weekdays 3pm 4pm.
The Louise Duffy Show is the home of daytime music...
24/03/2026
Jock and Conor are back in Cork for series 5
A new series of hit-comedy The Young Offenders will drop on RT Player on Good Friday 3 April. The show, produced...
24/03/2026
RT 's new history podcast, What Were We Like, is out now. Hosted by historian Diarmaid Ferriter and archivist Catriona Crowe, the series focuses on modern I...
24/03/2026
All three presenters, Maura, D ith and Sinead, celebrate as afternoon chat show filmed in Cork hits milestone.
Ireland's longest running afternoon show, t...
23/03/2026
RT is sad today to learn of the death of legendary RT Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster, who died this morning aged 71 years.
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General...
23/03/2026
RT Documentary On One has scooped its first ever dedicated music award. At the 2026 Icelandic Music Awards, composer lfur Eldj rn won Release of the Year in t...
23/03/2026
Inside Sport, Liveline, Morning Ireland and 2FM DRIVE will all be in Prague to bring fans to the heart of the action
Every Moment, Every GenerationRT | FIFA W...
20/03/2026
Dingle, Co. Kerry - Animation Dingle is delighted to announce that Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children's and Young People's Content at RT , will receive the...
20/03/2026
It's time to play The Money List! Baz Ashmawy is back at the helm as the qui...
19/03/2026
Other Voices presents a legendary night of music as Foo Fighters bring their stadium anthems to St James' Church, An Daingean. The surprise performance teas...
19/03/2026
***Issued by RT on behalf of RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026...
16/03/2026
After a nail-biting Grand Finale, Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins has been announced as the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2026.
The four finalists each dance...
16/03/2026
Welcome to Moore Street will begin on RT One and RT Player on Thursday 19 Marc...
13/03/2026
RT has announced today that Rick O'Shea is the new presenter of Arena RT Radio 1's flagship weeknight arts and culture programme. Rick has been pres...
13/03/2026
Lights! Camera! Action! The 98th Oscars set to air live as RT backs the Irish n...
12/03/2026
The Late Late Show Show St Patrick's Day special
Dancing with the Stars f...
11/03/2026
TELL US YOUR (SHORT) STORIES
The 2026 RT Short Story Competition is now open for entries
Recognising and rewarding the best new Irish fiction writing for...
11/03/2026
RT 's The Traitors Ireland is among the nominees for the 2026 Celtic Media Festival Torc Awards for Excellence, announced today....
09/03/2026
A powerful new national initiative supporting people living with dementia launch...
06/03/2026
We are deeply saddened to hear the very sad news of the death of our friend and colleague, John McHugh. John was an exceptionally talented creative leader who s...
06/03/2026
First exclusive look at RT 's promo as Ireland prepare to take on Czechia
Every Moment, Every Generation
https://youtu.be/2ijo96EadLU
36 years after Geor...
05/03/2026
Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize
RT Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA
RT Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2...
03/03/2026
RT is proud to support a rich and diverse programme of arts and cultural events taking place across Ireland throughout March 2026. This month brings a remarkab...
03/03/2026
RT Media Sales has announced Spry Finance has renewed it's sponsorship of M...
27/02/2026
One of Ireland's favourite lifestyle shows Home of the Year, returns for its 12th series and will be proudly sponsored by SIRO. The brand-new series will ai...
27/02/2026
Our Farm: A GIY Story lands on RT One and RT Player from March 3
From walled garden to community farm, new six-part series captures the unfiltered realities...
27/02/2026
Note: English version included below the Irish language version.
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 ar RT
A Ghaeilge mo cheol th '
T feachtas athnuaite i n...
26/02/2026
There were two big wins for RT KIDS shows at the 17th Kidscreen Awards in San Diego this week with Maddie Triggs and BeddyByes both taking home gongs.
The K...
26/02/2026
RT has confirmed that it has today received payment from the GAA for its 50% share of GAAGO.
RT confirmed in February 2025 that it had agreed in principle wi...
26/02/2026
RT Statement regarding the broadcast of Republic of Ireland vs Israel Nations League fixture
If the match goes ahead and that is a decision for the FAI as ...
24/02/2026
Katharine Wolinska appointed to lead Partnerships
RT Commercial has announced ...
23/02/2026
Audience peak of over a million on RT 2 as Ireland beat England in the Six Natio...
20/02/2026
Other Voices returns to RT this Spring with performances from Dermot Kennedy, A...
The first stamp of An Post's 2026 Stamp Programme, marking 100 Years of Broadcasting, was unveiled at the GPO by Patrick O'Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport at the GPO today. 
