The following is a list of events relating to television in Ireland from 1980.

• 6 January – The rural drama serial Bracken is aired. Cast members included Gabriel Byrne and Dana Wynter.^[1]
• 19 April – Ireland wins the 25th Eurovision Song Contest with What's Another Year? performed by Johnny Logan.^[1]
• 16 March – RTÉ broadcasts the historical drama series Strumpet City, based on the novel by James Plunkett is aired.^[1]
• 27 May – RTÉ Television broadcast an interview with a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP), an organisation not covered by Section 31.^[1]
• 9 July – RTÉ News reporter Charlie Bird makes his on camera debut.^[1]
• 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.^[1]

• 6 January – Bracken (1980–1982)
• 16 January – Strumpet City (1980)
• 12 April – Matt and Jenny (1979–1980)
• 21 September – The Cheryl Ladd Special: Souvenirs (1980)

• RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock (1961–present)
• RTÉ News: Six One (1962–present)
• The Late Late Show (1962–present)
• Quicksilver (1965–1981)
• Wanderly Wagon (1967–1982)

• Sports Stadium (1973–1997)
• Trom agus Éadrom (1975–1985)
• The Late Late Toy Show (1975–present)
• RTÉ News on Two (1978–2014)
• The Live Mike (1979–1982)
• Bosco (1979–1996)
• The Sunday Game (1979–present)

• 19 March – Hall's Pictorial Weekly (1971–1980)

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

• 1980 in Ireland