Kippure

Infobox Mountain
Name = Kippure
"Cipiúr"
Photo = KippurePoor5179w.jpg
Caption = Kippure, southern slope
Elevation = Unit_m|757|0
Location = Dublin & Wicklow, IRL
Range = Wicklow Mountains
Prominence =
Coordinates =
Topographic
OSi "Discovery" 56
Type = granite
Age =
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK =
Grid_ref_Ireland = O112154
Listing = Marilyn, Hewitt
Translation =
Language = Irish
Pronunciation =

Kippure ( _ga. Cipiúr) 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 and is easily accessed by the Military Road which passes close to the summit (there is a spur from it to the RTE mast on the summit).

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.

ignals transmitted from Kippure

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

Radio

*RTÉ Radio 1, FM radio 89.1 MHz 40 kW
*RTÉ 2fm, FM radio 91.3 MHz 40 kW
*Raidió na Gaeltachta, FM radio 93.5 MHz 40 kW
*RTÉ Lyric FM, FM radio 98.7 MHz 40 kW
*Today FM, FM radio 100.9 MHz 40 kW

External links

* [http://www.irish-tv.com/kippure.asp Irish TV website]