Documentary on One - RTÉ Documentaries

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)

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) 

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)

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)

Colin Murphy interviews Henry Woolf for Sunday Tribune 22 February 2009

Mention the words "The Forty Foot" around Dublin, and almost anyone will know exactly what you are referring to immediately. This bathing area in South Dublin has become a sort of institute among bathers in the capital.  Immortalised in literature (Ulysses), the Forty Foot was once a male only bathing area. However in the 70s, a group of women equal-rights activists plunged into the waters in protest, and nowadays it is a place where all genders can swim.  This documentary is an insight into a unique part of Dublin life and what it takes to keep the Forty Foot a place that all people can enjoy.  (First Broadcast 1982)

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 to places such as France, Germany and Ireland, 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)

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) 

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)

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)

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) 

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)

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. It was the Parish priest Very Rev. Peter Devereux who first started this tradition in around 1751.  We hear of the history and traditions of the ritual and how it is being maintained.  (First Broadcast 1981)

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)

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)