Radio Éireann and the GPO

Sir, – I greatly enjoyed reading Brendan Balfe’s evocative memories of the old Radio Éireann studio in the GPO (An Irishman’s Diary, October 29th).

According to my father, my grandfather played the uilleann pipes on air from the GPO on two occasions in 1937, the year in which 2RN became Radio Éireann, as stated by Mr Balfe. The details of the performances are scant: on each occasion my grandfather was requested to remove his shoes so that the microphone would not pick up his foot-tapping, and he was paid 10 shillings and sixpence. Unfortunately, no recordings could be found when I went to look for them a few years ago.

After reading An Irishman’s Diary, however, a picture suddenly began to emerge of my grandfather: unlacing his brogues, strapping on the bellows, filling the bag, marvelling at all the new-fangled technology, the family huddled excitedly around the kitchen radio listening to the Mason’s Apron and the Belfast Hornpipe (his virtuoso party pieces) – and afterwards: his shoes back on him, his footsteps echoing along the long corridor of white tiles and frosted glass, descending the three flights of stairs, and finally clicking his heels and stepping out the side door of the GPO beneath the sign that reads “Radio Éireann” into the top of Henry Street – pipes under his arm, cheque in his back pocket, smile on his face.

Thank you, Brendan Balfe. – Yours, etc,