Documentary on One - RTÉ Documentaries

An honest, open, and brave story about mental illness. Much is said depression and its sufferers, but how does depression affect families? This is Conor McGinnity's story of how his father's depression affected his entire family. (First Broadcast 2011)

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)

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) 

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)

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) 

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)

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)

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)

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)

A family from Donegal travels 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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)