Kippure

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Kippure

Kippure, southern slope
Elevation 757 m (2484 ft)
Location Dublin & Wicklow, Flag of Republic of Ireland Ireland
Range Wicklow Mountains
Coordinates x° N x° W
Topo map OSi Discovery 56
OSI/OSNI grid reference O112154
Listing Marilyn, Hewitt


Kippure is a granite mountain in Ireland, that straddles the County Dublin and County Wicklow borders. Due to its proximity to Dublin, fine views over Dublin Bay and the Howth peninsula, convenient access, and easy terrain, Kippure is a popular place for hill walking and outdoor leisure activities, especially on the weekends.

Contents

[edit] Radio and television transmissions

The summit of Kippure is the site of a television and radio transmitter mast, and as such is the oldest television transmitter site in the Republic of Ireland. It was first identified as a transmitter site as part of a Radio Éireann survey into potential FM radio transmitter sites in the mid 1950s. The Irish government Board of Works built an access road to the site in 1959, and by the summer of 1961 the mast was erected and television trade test transmissions, consisting of slide views of Ireland, a testcard and the music of Count John McCormack were played out.

At first, Kippure broadcast using the British 405-line TV standard on channel 7.

Telefís Éireann started transmissions from Kippure on 31 December 1961, to be followed by a 625-line service on channel H in the summer of 1962.

FM Radio transmissions of RTÉ Radio (the former Radio Éireann) commenced in 1966, with stereo transmissions commencing in 1969.

405-line transmissions from Kippure ceased in 1978 with the arrival of RTÉ 2, however Kippure did not transmit RTÉ 2 until much later. Initially on Channel J with low power later moving to Channel H with RTE1 moving to Channel E.

Its importance in radio and television transmission has diminished since the late 1970s with the opening of new sites at Three Rock Mountain in County Dublin, Clermont Carn in County Louth, and Cairn Hill in County Longford which provide better reception in most areas previously served only by Kippure. Today Kippure transmits the four Irish television channels, the national radio stations, and some commercial radio stations.

[edit] Signals transmitted from Kippure

[edit] Television

  • RTÉ One, VHF channel E 160 kW
  • RTÉ Two, VHF channel H 160 kW
  • TV3, UHF channel 62 500 kW
  • TG4, UHF channel 59 500 kW

[edit] Radio

[edit] External link