1980 in Irish television

Events

• 6 January – The rural drama serial Bracken is aired. Cast members included Gabriel Byrne and Dana Wynter.
• 19 April – Ireland wins the 25th Eurovision Song Contest with What's Another Year? performed by Johnny Logan.
• 16 March – RTÉ broadcasts the historical drama series Strumpet City, based on the novel by James Plunkett is aired.
• 27 May – RTÉ Television broadcast an interview with a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, an organisation not covered by Section 31.
• 9 July – RTÉ News reporter Charlie Bird makes his on camera debut.
• 4 October – Anything Goes, a show for young people, makes its debut. The programme is part of RTÉ's development of young people's programming.

Debuts

RTÉ 1

• 6 January – Bracken
• 16 January – Strumpet City
• 12 April – Matt and Jenny
• 21 September – ''The Cheryl Ladd Special: Souvenirs''

Ongoing television programmes

1960s

• RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock
• RTÉ News: Six One
• The Late Late Show
• Quicksilver
• ''Wanderly Wagon''

1970s

• Sports Stadium
• Trom agus Éadrom
• The Late Late Toy Show
• RTÉ News on Two
• The Live Mike
• Bosco
• ''The Sunday Game''

Ending this year

• 19 March – ''Hall's Pictorial Weekly''

Births

• 9 April – Jennifer Maguire, television presenter and reality show contestant
• Undated – Victor Burke, actor