School Around the Corner

The School Around the Corner was a radio programme aired in the Republic of Ireland beginning at Easter, 1954, when Michael O h-Aodha gave the "idea" his blessing, Seamus Kavanagh took over as producer of the first short series. The producers who succeeded Seamus were Joan Dalton and Padraig O'Neill. Paddy Crosbie who presented the show at this time was the originator and writer of 'School Around the Corner' and composer of the show's popular theme song of the same name.

School Around the Corner
GenreEntertainment
Created byPaddy Crosbie
Presented byPaddy Crosbie (1954-1973)(1962-1966)
Gerry Ryan (1990-1994)
Frank Mitchell (1995-2005)
Ray D'Arcy(2013)
Opening themeThe School Around the Corner
Country of originIreland
Original languageEnglish
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time25-60 minutes
Release
Original networkRadio Éireann (1954-1973)
Telefís Éireann (1962-1966)
RTÉ 1 (1990-1994)
UTV (1995-2005)
RTÉ ONE (2013)
Original release2 January 1962 (1962-01-02) –
23 December 2005 (2005-12-23)

Format

The host would ask a question to a child of primary school age who would usually respond in a "cute" or humorous way.

Radio

The show was first broadcast by Radio Éireann in 1954 until 1973. The series moved back to radio from television after the setting up of RTÉ in 1966, it ran for one more year. It was again revived on radio in 1973. An RTÉ Guide article outlining the programme's history was published on 1 June 1973.

Television

The series moved to television with the launch of Teilfís Éirean in 1961. The programme was first broadcast by Telefís Éireann/RTÉ in 1962 and ran until 1966. The show on television was also hosted by Paddy Crosbie. The programme continued until 1966 on RTÉ Television and made a short return to radio in 1966 and 1973.

Jim (James) Plunkett guided the School on to television, it was the 1st show to be pre-recorded for the new television station in 1961 and top of the TAM ratings up to when it was discontinued over five years later. The first episode was broadcast on 2 January 1962. On television the programme had many FIRSTS - first home feature in the top ten, first in first place and first to travel around the country.[9] [1][2]

Revivals

In the 1990s the series began to be produced by Tyrone Productions for RTÉ and was commissioned by RTÉ until 1994. The series was hosted by Gerry Ryan.

Tyrone Productions offered the series to UTV in Northern Ireland where it ran for a decade from 1995 to 2005. On UTV the series was hosted by Frank Mitchell.[3]

In 2013 RTÉ revived the series again with a Christmas special and then a full series the following year hosted by Ray D'Arcy.

From Christmas 2021 all RTÉ series of it will be on RTÉ Player to mark 60 Years Of Television.

References
  1. RTÉ Guide 1 January 1965
  2. RTÉ photographic archives
  3. "School Around the Corner". IFTN. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
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