On December 31, 1961, Telefís Éireann, later known as RTÉ, began broadcasting in Ireland, marking the dawn of the television age in the country. The launch of RTÉ was a significant cultural event, bringing news, entertainment, and Irish-language programming into homes across the country. The new medium had a profound impact on Irish society, shaping public opinion and fostering a sense of national identity.

The launch of RTÉ is a subject of cultural commentary in Irish poetry, with writers exploring the impact of television on Irish society. The new medium is often contrasted with the older traditions of oral storytelling and print culture, creating a sense of generational change. The poetry of the period reflects the anxieties and opportunities of the television age, a theme that would persist in the literature of the late 20th century.