Maghera transmission site


The Maghera transmission site is situated on a 400 metre hill located at Killanena in the east of County Clare, Ireland. It is home to one of 2RN's network of radio and television transmitters.

History

The Maghera television transmitter first went on air in February 1963 on low power before becoming fully operational on 10 September 1963. It was one of Telefís Éireann's original five main transmitters, the others being Mullaghanish, Kippure, Truskmore and Mount Leinster. The transmitter originally carried the 625 line television service on VHF Channel B, changing to Channel E in 1999, with UHF channels being added in 1996 and 1999. When it was operating on Channel B certain atmospheric conditions during the summer months could cause interference from a transmitter on similar frequencies in Spain, this resulted in viewers in the south west of Ireland occasionally seeing bullfights on their television. In 1966 the new RTÉ Radio FM service started broadcasting from the site with more FM radio stations added over the years.
The original 147.5 metre mast that was erected in 1962 was replaced in 2011 with a 160 metres tall cable-stayed steel lattice mast that would enhance its service area for the start of digital terrestrial television broadcasting. All analogue television transmissions from the site ended on 24 October 2012, and since then the Irish digital television service Saorview, has been broadcast from the site in addition to six national FM radio networks and a number of local radio services. Maghera's service area is the West of Ireland, covering counties Clare and Galway, as well as parts of counties Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Mayo.

Current Transmissions

Digital television

FM radio

FrequencyERPServiceNotes
88.8 MHz160 kwRTÉ Radio 1Since 1985. Shared RnaG frequency 1972-85
91.0 MHz160 kwRTÉ 2fm94.1 MHz Before 1985
98.4 MHz160 kwRTÉ lyric fmSince 1999
93.2 MHz160 kwRTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta97.0 MHz Before 1985
96.4 MHz5 kwClare FMSince 1989
100.6 MHz160 kwToday FMSince 1997
102.7 MHz20 kwSpin South WestSince 2007
104.6 MHz50 kwClassic Hits RadioSince 2009
107.6 MHz20 kwNewstalkSince 2006

Maghera Relay transmitters">Broadcast relay station">Relay transmitters