1962 – RTE Television Center, Donnybrook, Dublin

On 3 October 1960 the new Radio Éireann Authority signed a £500,000 contract for the construction of the television centre and offices at the proposed location in Donnybrook. In September 1959 a 25-acre area of land on the Stillorgan road in Donnybrook became the favoured site for the new television production centre. RE had previously operated from the GPO in O’Connell Street.

The building when completed in 1962 contained the first purpose-built television studios in Ireland, with the main building 30 feet high with the tops of the studios rising a further 15 feet above the roof line. The ground floor is arcaded with office accommodation above. Largely designed by Ronald Tallon, the building is in his Miesian style with inverted corners and floor to ceiling glazing. Winner of the RIAI Gold Medal 1959-1961.

“The TV building at Donnybrook will provide, in addition to studios, accommodation for programme, technical and administrative staffs. It will be of two storey reinforced concrete construction with precast concrete columns and in situ concrete floors. Flat slab construction will allow uninterrupted services throughout. A colonnade around the perimeter of the ground floor ensures proper access to all sections should the building be expanded, as is expected.

The first floor is to be clad with aluminium curtain walling. Natural materials have been used as far as possible to eliminate maintenance. All internal partitions, ceilings, floor units, lighting and heating have been designed in units of 5 ft. x 5 ft. to allow complete flexibility in internal arrangements.

Total ground floor area of the building including the colonnade is about 45,000 sq. ft. The plan is developed around two main studios, one of 4,000 sq. ft. and one of 1,700 sq. ft. Both will extend beyond the full height of the building above the first-floor ceiling. The ground floor is to be used for functions connected with the studio floors. Actors’ dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms are grouped between the main entrance and the studios. The scenedock and workshops are grouped to the rear. Studio control rooms are on the first floor with direct viewing to studios and connections with the technical area.”
The Builder, November 18 1960

There were only three studios in the original building completed in 1962, however, since then a number of new studios and sound stages have been added to the existing complex. In all there are eight television studios in the building, four main production studios; 1,2,4,and 5, a news studio; 3, and three presentation studios; 6,7, and 8, as well as a small studio for radio news bulletins.