Multi award winning documentaries from Ireland and beyond telling real life stories. With over 1,800 documentaries on offer, the Documentary On One Podcast has the largest archive of documentaries available in the world, dating as far back as 1954, right up to the present day. Winner of over 400 national and international awards. Producer of podcast series 'Where is Jón?', ‘The Real Carrie Jade’, 'Runaway Joe', 'Finding Samantha', 'Tiger Roll', 'GunPlot' and 'The Nobody Zone'. Immerse yourself in a world of sound, story and character.
This is the story of how a lost mother was found. Michael O’Keeffe was put into care at aged 2. He did not have any contact with his mother growing up, but 50 years later he decided to look for her and found her in London. (First Broadcast 1994) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A biography of fiddle player, Mickey Finn who was born in Co Kilkenny in 1951. His life was short and tragic for Mickey was addicted to alcohol and drank himself to death. This documentary explores symbiotic relationship between traditional music and alcohol and the consequent waste of this single life. (First Broadcast 2007) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The biography of one of Ireland's most celebrated talents in literature – James Joyce. Born in Dublin in 1882, and best known for Ulysses, this documentary takes a look at the literary legacy left behind from a man of such poetic brilliance. On the centenary of his birth, an array of contemporary writers speak of his life. (First Broadcast 1982) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The story of sound reproduction began in 1877 when Thomas Edison found a way of causing sound waves to vibrate and be recorded onto tin foil. Then in 1887 the first record was invented. This documentary celebrates 100 years of the gramophone. (First Broadcast 1977) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Part of Factory Lives; A six part series on factory closures in Ireland taking one example from each decade and examining the causes for the collapse against a backdrop of economic development in this country. Paddy O'Gorman tells the story of the closure, in 1953, of Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath. (First Broadcast 2004) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of Irish literature’s greats; George Bernard Shaw is celebrated in this documentary. Born in Dublin in 1856, Shaw initially struggled for success before plays such as Pygmalion brought him to the attention of the theater going public. His plays, criticism, politics and humour are remembered in this tribute. (First Broadcast 1991) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A biography of the fascinating life of James Joyce; a giant of literature in Ireland. We learn why he had such a strained relationship with Dublin and gain an insight into the creation to some of his iconic and award winning works. (First Broadcast 1982) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Storyteller Eddie Lenihan is a master of language. In 1999 Eddie began a campaign that lead to the NRA rerouting the Ennis Bypass around a lone bush at Latoon, near Newmarket-on-Fergus, co. Clare. The bush is the site where the fairies of Munster gather before they set out to do battle with those from Connaught. (First Broadcast 2009) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Maurice Manning traces the history of the Blueshirts in Ireland. The Blueshirts was the nickname for the National Guard which was an Irish extra-parliamentary security organisation active in the 1930s. Led by Eoin O’Duffy, they provided protection for political groups such as the Cumann na nGaedheal. (First Broadcast 1974) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Countess Constance Markievicz is known for her participation in the Easter rising in Dublin in 1916 and her time spent as part of the Irish Cabinet. Members of her family paint a picture of the woman behind the 'rebel', looking at her history in politics, her love of her family and her Ford Model-T. (First Broadcast 2009) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1904, Father John Creagh instigated an economic boycott against the small Jewish community in Limerick and forced a lot of them to leave the city. This documentary has the framework of a diary kept by a fictitious teenage boy during this time. (First Broadcast 1998) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The story of a homeless man who swapped the dangers of urban subsistence for the rural forest sanctuary of the Dublin Mountains. For three years he has made the woods his home; it is where he feels safe, but excursions to the city rekindle his old problems. (First Broadcast 2009) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Since it was founded in 1948 the RTÉ Symphony orchestra has seen over 60 of success at the forefront of symphonic music in Ireland. Ever wondered what it takes to be a member of a world renowned orchestra? The Musicians of the RTESO reveal the hard work required along with an account of the orchestra's fascinating history. (First Broadcast 1982) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Barry Lang travels to Dingle in Co Kerry, to meet Fungie the Dolphin. Fungie is a friendly bottlenose dolphin, who has lived in the harbor since 1983. Barry talks to the locals about his story and the games the adventurous dolphin likes to play. (1989) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1974, after severe drought, Ethiopia in Africa was devastated by the disaster of famine. Up to an estimated 1 million were left dead. Still under the rule of Emperor Haile Selassie, Ethiopia was an inhospitable destination both politically and geographically. (First Broadcast 1976) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A look at the fascinating life of Co. Mayo poet Paul Durcan. He talks us through his childhood and his award winning work and the experiences that have informed them, including mental health issues after being committed to a psychiatric hospital whilst a student at college. (First Broadcast 1982) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A journey into the realms of Catholic belief. The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is an Irish Catholic fraternal organisation. Members must be Catholic and either Irish born or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in America, but AOH was very active in Northern Ireland in the 1970’s. (First Broadcast 1976) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is an absolute must listen - a window into the Ireland that once was - and is perhaps gone forever? One of our real oldies but goldies - a documentary about how to kill a pig on a rural Co Galway farm in the late 1970's. (First Broadcast 1978) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A story which follows a number of people who have left their homelands to seek a new life in the so called 'New Europe'. After emigration from Africa, Turkey and Eastern Europe, they tell of finding a place to be, a sense of belonging and an identity as immigrants and refugees in their adopted countries. (First Broadcast 2007) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mention the words "The Forty Foot" around Dublin, and anyone will know exactly what you are referring to immediately. This bathing area in South Dublin has become an institute among bathers in the capital. Immortalised in literature (Ulysses), this documentary looks at the history of this former male only swimming spot. (First Broadcast 1982) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is it about Bargemen? Do they choose the lifestyle or does it choose them? The last working barge passed through the Grand Canal in Dublin in 1960. Yet the stories, memories and lifestyle still live on amongst these bargemen and their families. The men speak about their work, and lives. (First Broadcast 1976) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1979 there were a great number of dogs living in sanctuaries around the country. ‘A Dogs Life’ looks at the day to day running of a sanctuary in Carlow. We also meet the owners and examine the motivations, the work and the rewards of running a dog sanctuary. (First Broadcast 1979) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A profile of the Irish composer and conductor Charles Villiers Stanford who is seen as a key player in the British musical renaissance. Born in Dublin in 1852, he composed seven symphonies, but his best-remembered pieces are his choral music works for church performance. (First Broadcast 1974) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An insight into one of Ireland's most eccentric traditions - the Strawboys of Achill, Co. Mayo in the West of Ireland. Jim Fahy takes us on a journey through their musical, dancing and wedding traditions and of the family rivalry that can exist within. (First Broadcast 1981) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A radio documentary about Edel and Fergus, urban parents, who decide to move their family out of their cramped house in Dublin in the middle of the Celtic Tiger years to give their two children Sorcha and Cian, a better life in the country. (First Broadcast 2001) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The affluent Moore family moved from Antrim to Tipperary in 1850 and purchased the magnificent Mooresfort estate. This move played a huge role in the history of the family, one of the most important families to move to Tipperary. (First Broadcast 1979) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The story of a Galway traveller family, one of a dwindling number who still take to the road. Their traditional routes took in rural Connemara. Mary McDonagh (not her real name) paints a picture of lives ravaged by suicide and depression. And yet there is much joy too. (First Broadcast 2009) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Documentary about the tradition of singing ancient Christmas Carols in Kilmore Church, Co Wexford. Singers consist of the local community, and the group of singers has always included a member of the Deveroux family. We hear of the history and traditions of the ritual and how it is being maintained. (First Broadcast 1981) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cricket fanatic Conor O’Callaghan tells the story of cricket in Ireland and gives a poetic account of his own obsession with the sport. (First Broadcast 1996) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Martin Lavan came from Mayo, and it is claimed, but disputed, that he was one of Michael Collins' assassination squad. On the day after Civil War broke out, Martin killed two men. He then assumed a disguise and fled to America where he became a lawyer. (First Broadcast 2000) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
