Documentary on One - RTÉ Documentaries

The history of cursing stones in counties Mayo and Sligo. There are many superstitions relating to the stones going back to pagan times. It is said that no matter how many people count the stones, they will come up with different amounts and the stones were used to curse enemies. The stones have had opposition in religious circles and their mystery continues.

100yrs after the Battle of the Somme in WW1, Gerry Kelly sets out to discover the story behind his favourite song, The Green Fields of France. Also known as Willie McBride or No Man’s Land, Gerry tracks down Willie McBride’s family, and finally solves the story of the song itself, when he meets its author, Eric Bogle (A BBC Radio Ulster Production)

Mountjoy Prison in Dublin is the oldest prison establishment in Ireland. In this documentary an ex-convict gives a blow by blow account of the everyday routine for the men incarcerated in the prison. He gives the history of his crimes and how he was remanded on charges from armed robbery to assault. He discusses the problems with boredom, loneliness and missing the joys of everyday life. (First Broadcast 1983)

The world of pigeon racing has been transformed by big money deals and the €310,000 sale of a champion named Bolt. But where does the sport in Ireland figure in this world? We follow fast talking Dubliner John O’Brien and a host of characters as they compete in a 200km from Cork to Dublin (2016)

In Mikhail Gorbachev’s Russia of 1988, perestroika was a political movement which reformed the Communist Party and the country as a whole. The development had significant impact on culture, religion and society in Moscow and Leningrad at the time. Censorship was lifted on the playing of rock music and the Bolshoi and Kirov theatres expanded their programmes. Links with Ireland were established with the Abbey Theatre performing for the first time in the country. (First Broadcast 1988)

Peadar Mercier, the first ever professional bodhrán and bones player, captured the pulse of Irish traditional music. 25 yrs after his death, his son Mel traces his father’s unique life story – from his protestant heritage, to world tours with the Chieftains and a 10 yr adventure with composer John Cage into the world of experimental music. (2016)

The story of the author Anna Maria Hall; born in Dublin in 1800. She moved to the U.K in 1815 and married Samuel Carter-Hall, often publishing under the name of Mrs. S. C. Hall. Her literature was well known at the time and she was a suffragette and great supporter of the temperance movement. Anna joined Samuel in travelling through Ireland in the 1820s and 30s, and her writing often included social commentary on her native land. (First Broadcast 1981)

In 1972, a group of women fled Belfast, with their children, to take refuge in Glenstal Abbey. They came from trauma and violence to an exclusive boys’ boarding-school run by Benedictine monks in rural East Limerick. The children were described as “rude and bold”. It was a clash of cultures that the monks managed with one simple rule… (2016)

A look at Mariculture in Ireland in 1980. Tracing the history of the culture in Ireland from salmon farms and mussel markets to the development of fish farms. Different factors involved in Mariculture are discussed such as the role of technology, pollution, markets and the fear of an influx of big business. (First Broadcast 1980)

People think they know Clare senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald because of what they see during the game of sport, but what about before and after? This documentary had unique access to follow Clare's 2016 hurling year and experience it through Davy's eyes (2016)

In the early 90s, Donal MacGuirk from Dublin, Mary Sweeney from Limerick and Mike Glynn from Tipperary volunteered to work in India, Africa and Bangladesh respectively. They had to deal with poverty, disease and death, but also suffered from culture shock when they returned home. They discuss why they went to the Third World, their experiences and how they coped with their homecoming. (First Broadcast 1992)

The highest risk group in Irish road deaths: young rural drivers. We visit Co.Donegal and meet drivers who refuse to wear seatbelts, drivers who drink, officials who work with ‘anti-social’ drivers. Teenagers who show off by doing laps of the town in old tractors. A car culture that’s a backdrop to 5 road deaths in one week. (2016)

In 1984, the first TV reports from the famine in Ethiopia in Africa aired. They had a profound effect on many people, especially the nuns of The Little Sisters of the Assumption. As trained nurses, they decided to go and help. Although surrounded by great death, war and sorrow, the sisters felt a bond with the people and learned so much from their way of life. (First Broadcast 1990)

Richard Fariña was well known in music and literary circles in New York in the 1960’s, counting Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Thomas Pynchon among his friends. He was a regular visitor to his Irish relations in Ardboe, Co. Tyrone in the 1950’s. He was on the cusp of greatness 50 years ago when his life was cut short. Tracing Fariña’s footsteps from his old haunts in New York to his family by the banks of Lough Neagh. (2016)

The Award Winning Seán O’Casey was one of Irish literature’s greats. Born in Dublin in 1880, this documentary takes a tour of the Northside of the city, tracing his life. With contributions from family, friends and neighbours, this is an exploration of his work, his love of the Irish language, his move to London and memories of a visit to his home in Totnes in the U.K. in 1949. (First Broadcast 1980)