It plays an important role in Irish cultural life, also undertaking occasional tours of Ireland.
To provide music, it hired staff musicians, who often played together on the radio and in concert as a chamber orchestra.
The original group was gradually expanded during the 1930s and 1940s, when it was known as the Radio Éireann Orchestra, and by 1946 had reached 40 musicians.
Often called the "Station Orchestra", many (albeit not regular) public concerts were given and broadcast live from venues such as the Mansion House, Metropolitan Hall and Capitol Theatre.
In 1948, the broadcasting authority, now called Radio Éireann, expanded the orchestra to a symphonic size by opening its membership to musicians from all over Europe.
Ireland, as a neutral country during World War II, had been spared damage, so musicians from the wrecked economies of a ruined Europe were easy to attract.
Following three subsequent return guest-conducting appearances, in January 2018, the RTÉ NSO announced the appointment of Martín as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of three years.