Documentary on One - RTÉ Documentaries

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)

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)

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)

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)

No, it's not Pele. Have a listen and have a laugh. Someone suggested the caller was an RTE Radio producer, named Tony who went on to work in television in East Africa. Any suggestions to choice@rte.ie.

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)

Eddie Lenihan is a master of language. He has told his stories in schools and prisons and at gatherings of storytellers all over this country. 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)  

A look at the fascinating life of James Joyce. We learn why he had such a strained relationship with Dublin and gain an insight into the creation to some of his iconic works. (Broadcast 1982)

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)

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)

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) 

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)

Since it was founded in 1948 the RTÉ Symphony orchestra has seen over sixty years 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)

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)

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)