The Centenary of Radio in Ireland 2026: Introduction to Special Issue of Irish Communications Review

This article introduces the special issue of Irish Communications Review, 2026, that celebrates the centenary of radio in Ireland. It discusses the aims and aspirations announced on the first night of broadcasting, 1st January 1926 and gives details of the vision shared by Douglas Hyde on that night. It briefly describes the content of each of the seven articles in the special issue. Each one is based on new research and each one investigates a different aspect of the development of Irish radio over the past one hundred years and considers the implications and impact of those developments.