7 April – Ireland's first televised General Election coverage, presented by John O'Donoghue and produced by Gerry Murray.20 March – Ireland enters the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time with I'm Walking the Streets in the Rain performed by Butch Moore.4 January – First airing of The Riordans, a rural drama serial, which became the inspiration for the UK soap Emmerdale Farm.January – RTÉ and BBC collaborate on an historic television broadcast as Taoiseach Seán Lemass and Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Terence O'Neill meet for the first time in Belfast.It features reporters Frank Tuomey and Frank Hall with caption stories by cartoonist Terry Williers.
14 September – Newsbeat, a topical and often humorous programme, first goes on air.March – Patrick Jennings appointed RTÉ's Agricultural Advisor.4 February – Telefís Scoile, one of the earliest teaching programmes for schools on television in Europe is first aired by Telefís Éireann.January – Reverend Fergus Day, of the Church of Ireland is appointed to advise on the broadcasting of Protestant religious programmes.
3 January – Tolka Row, an urban drama serial by Maura Laverty first goes on air.November – Father Romuald Dodd is appointed to advise on the broadcasting of Catholic Religious Programmes.18 October – The wildlife programme Amuigh Faoin Spéir airs for the first time.26–29 June – RTÉ provides extensive coverage of the visit of U.S.
12 January – First broadcast of the long-running religious and social documentary series Radharc.January – First broadcast of the weekday topical news magazine programme Broadsheet on Telefís Éireann.
Its opening night includes an address by President Éamon de Valera, and the first news bulletin read by Charles Mitchel.