Outreach Posts
Make an announcement or enquiry, talk about your experiences, or make some comments here.
New Article - "To Inform, Educate and Entertain: The Early Radio Broadcasts of Seán Ó Riada"
- Font size: Larger Smaller
- Hits: 32
- Subscribe to this entry
- Report this post
https://www.ictmd.ie/s/Mac_Aodhgain_To_Inform_Educate_and_Entertain.pdf
“To Inform, Educate and Entertain”: The Early Radio Broadcasts of Seán Ó Riada
Pádraig Mac Aodhgáin
Published in: Ethnomusicology Ireland 11 (2026)
Pages: 32-49 | Published Online: 19 June 2026
https://doi.org/10.64208/RHSO5832
Abstract
Seán Ó Riada (1931–1971) was an influential figure in Irish cultural life during the mid-twentieth century. His regular presence on Irish radio station Radio Éireann (RÉ) was a catalyst in his rise to prominence. In this paper, Ó Riada’s first decade of broadcasts on RÉ are considered, both in his role as Assistant Music Director at RÉ, beginning in 1953, and those that he produced and presented after that as an independent contractor for RÉ. This research examines an approach to radio programming at RÉ that emerged gradually from 1955 onwards, culminating in Ó Riada’s influential radio series entitled Our Musical Heritage in 1962. Ó Riada’s activity was influential but also shaped by agendas of the station during the 1950s. Evidence is used from archives and the history of broadcasting to reference key moments and artistic developments in Ó Riada’s shows alongside RÉ’s progressing agenda.
Keywords: Seán Ó Riada, Radio Éireann, history of Irish radio
Author: Pádraig Mac Aodhgáin | ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7400-4923
Pádraig Mac Aodhgáin (Patrick Egan, PhD) is a Research Data Steward, Digital Humanist, ethnomusicologist and concertina player at University College Cork. His PhD research focused on an ethnographic account of the career of Seán Ó Riada and his rise to prominence in mid-twentieth century Ireland alongside the digital visualisation of metadata from archives.
This is a fascinating look at how Seán Ó Riada helped shape Irish musical identity through radio during a transformative period. The discussion of his evolving broadcasting style and its connection to Radio Éireann’s cultural goals adds valuable context. Much like how cultural artefacts such as Leather Bags reflect heritage and craftsmanship, Ó Riada’s programmes preserved and celebrated Ireland’s rich musical traditions. An insightful and engaging piece of research.