Telefís

Telefís is the Irish-language term for television, used to refer to both the medium of moving-image broadcasting and the television set. In standard Irish orthography the usual term is teilifís, but telefís appears as a loanword or variant in some texts and names. The word is widely used in Irish-language media and everyday speech.

Television began to be established in Ireland in the mid-20th century, with regular broadcasting starting in 1961 by the public service broadcaster. The service soon expanded from black-and-white to color, and distribution moved from terrestrial to satellite and cable networks to reach more households. Over the years, Irish-language programming developed alongside English-language content, contributing to cultural and linguistic preservation.

Technically, televisions receive signals from several sources: analogue and later digital terrestrial broadcasts, satellite and cable, and, more recently, internet streaming. Modern sets typically display high-definition images, with many capable of 4K resolution and smart-TV features that support on-demand services. Irish-language content is provided by RTÉ and TG4, among others, and is available online as well as on traditional broadcast channels.

Telefís remains a central mass medium for news, entertainment, and education in Ireland. Its evolution reflects broader changes in technology, policy, and consumption, including the shift toward digital, on-demand, and online platforms while maintaining a role in cultural and linguistic transmission.