Documentary On One - Rté Documentaries

The Isle of Lewis lies off the West coast of Scotland. It's said Scottish islands share a kindred Gaelic spirit with the Irish. In 1976 Kieran Sheedy went to investigate and unearthed a community that worked by day and danced by night - well, not quite... (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This documentary looks back on some of the highs of fifty glorious years of the Eurovision song festival in the company of Paul G. Sheridan. Paul describes himself not as a fan but an aficionado, who loves the music and the competition. (First Broadcast 2005)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until 1928, no one had flown from East to West over the Atlantic. In 1927, ten unsuccessful flights were attempted and seven lives were lost. Finally, in April 1928 a 3 man crew succeeded, one of whom was Irish man Captain James C. Fitzmaurice. This documentary looks at the history of the event. (First Broadcast 1992)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone in Ringsend, Co. Dublin has a nickname. Even Ringsend has a nickname - "Raytown". Find out why in this documentary about the social history of this very unique Dublin neighbourhood by the sea. (First Broadcast 1981)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In July 1985, in the village of Ballinspittle, Co. Cork, a grotto statue of the Virgin Mary came alive and moved. As news of the phenomenon spread, thousands of pilgrims and spectators arrived. Seven years on, we return to see life in the village and reflect on how this mystery affected the people there. (First Broadcast 1992)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Michael O’Flanagan was born in 1876 in Roscommon. Known as 'The Republican Priest', he was president of Sinn Féin from 1933-35 but was expelled from the party for participating in a Radio Éireann (2RN) broadcast in 1936. This documentary looks at the political and personal history of the renowned Catholic priest. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This doc tells the story of Steo, from the northside of Dublin, and Simo, a young homeless man from the slums of Nairobi, who find a common language though music and hip hop. Together they produced a song called 'Fire'. (First Broadcast 2010)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For everyone of us, the day will come when we hang up our working boots - no matter how important the work - and enter the world of the retired. This documentary tells a story of retirement, examining the ups and downs of a slower pace of life. (First Broadcast 1992)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy O'Mahony takes a look back at the work the Music Association of Ireland, on what was the occasion of its 25th anniversary, and asks if the association was successful in achieving its aims of furthering musical education across Ireland. (First Broadcast 1973)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westmeath’s John Ennis, is an award winning poet and one of Ireland’s finest talents. In this documentary he talks about the influence of his rural background and his family on his work. (First Broadcast 1981)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sister Brid Smith, from Blackrock, Co Dublin, is a 65 year old nun with a difference. Despite health problems and losing her sight six years ago, she has not lost her love for the outdoor life. She set out on an adventure to climb the 3,127ft high Mount Brandon in Co Kerry. (First Broadcast 2008)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this documentary, Kieran Sheedy tells the story of the rambler from Clare, Johnny Patterson. Johnny was an Irish comedian, singer and songwriter. His career was so successful that he became a household name in both Ireland and America. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Burns known in Scotland as simply 'The Bard' was an 18th century Scottish poet, artist and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. This documentary is a biography of his life and works. (First Broadcast 1992)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabia Al Najairr grew up in a typical Irish Catholic family, but converted to the Islamic religion when she was still a teenager, giving up alcohol and changing what she wears. In this documentary she explains why she was motivated to do it and how it has affected her social and family life. (First Broadcast 1989)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A family from Donegal travel all the way to the headquarters of the EU in Brussels in search of some help, and to get some answers about the death of their daughter, who was tragically killed in a car accident in Co. Donegal in 2001. (First Broadcast 2009)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This programme looks at families struggling with unemployment and poverty in the mid 1980’s in Dublin. Padraic Dolan goes to the working class areas of Coolock, Artane and Darndale and speaks to the people at the heart of the community about their lives. (First Broadcast 1984)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malahide Castle, parts of which date to the 12th century, lies close to the village of Malahide in the north of Dublin. This documentary tells the history of the castle and the family who owned it and the auction that took place in 1976 where the remaining contents of the castle were auctioned off. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Croker (1843-1922) was a politician in America born in the village of Blackrock, Cork. At the helm of Democratic Party politics, he became extremely wealthy receiving bribe money from brothels, saloons and gambling dens (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Girls who want to learn to play the piano. Girls who do not want to learn to play the piano. Some of these girls are heard in this piece. It is the voice of the Maiden reaching back through time, traversing space, telling of the Music of her childhood. Presented and produced by Kaye Mortley (First Broadcast 2007)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This documentary is based on an unpublished memoir and tells the story of the life and work of a lime burner- seen through the eyes of Matty McCaulife from Kerry and ‘the limeburner of Churchhill’ - an imaginary village between Macroom and Charleville in Cork. (First Broadcast 1981)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.