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. (First Broadcast 1977)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mountjoy Prison in Dublin is the oldest prison in Ireland. In this documentary an ex-convict gives an account of the everyday routine for the incarcerated men. He gives the history of his crimes and how he was remanded on charges from armed robbery to assault. He discusses loneliness and missing the joys of everyday life. (First Broadcast 1983)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two women, born almost 50 years apart, recall meeting their husband, falling in love and marrying. We hear the contrast in experiences as they prepare for the big day and as time passes after the wedding day itself, we hear our brides reflect on the inevitable adjustments that happen as they settle into the rhythm of married life. (1989)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Gorbachev’s Russia of 1988, perestroika was a political movement which reformed the Communist Party and the country as a whole. The development had impacts 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. (First Broadcast 1988)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John S Doyle describes life in Mexico as he travels through Mexico City and Oaxaca encountering different people and hearing their stories. John also speaks to UCD's Declan Kiberd on his unusual meeting with former Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari. (1997)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peadar Mercier, the first ever professional bodhrán and bones player, captured the pulse of Irish traditional music. 25 years after his death, his son Mel traces his father's unique life story - from his protestant heritage, to world tours with The Chieftains & a 10 year adventure with composer John Cage into the world of experimental music. (2016)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. 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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed Mulhall looks at the football career of Belfast born George Best, who went on to become Ireland's best known footballer. Recalled as the fifth 'Beatle', George Best enjoyed a celebrity lifestyle which made him front page news among tabloids but not for his football, which made him famous from the age of 15. (1984)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Fariña was well known in music and literary circles in New York in the 1960’s. 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 NY to his family by the banks of Lough Neagh. (2016)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathriona Devereux has inherited a small hotel in Clogheen, Co. Tipperary. ‘Vee house’ has huge emotional value to her, and it has been in her family for years. But the hotel has been closed since her childhood. Kathriona is trying to decide what to do with it – should she keep it, live in it, run it or get rid of it? (First Broadcast 2016)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To mark the beginning of the Olympics in Rio, a documentary on a group of people who listen to the events more than watch them: TV Sport sound designers. They use their skills to enhance the pictures but sometimes add little touches of their own - to some people’s annoyance. (A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4.) Broadcast 2016See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Flynn and his wife Mary from Westmeath wrote ‘The Broken Hearted Farmer’ in the late 1960s - a song that told the story of farming protests at that time. They were hoping for a No. 1 hit, but it never happened. They have always believed RTÉ banned the song due to government pressure. 50 years later we find out what really happened… (2016)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On November 5th 1946, the ESB erected the first pole of rural electrification. This was the beginning of a promise to bring electricity to every home in Ireland. 70yrs after this momentous change in modern Ireland, we piece together the story of rural electrification, including tales of fear and hope and love and loss as the nation illuminated. (2016)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Battle of Mount Street Bridge was the most successful rebel engagement in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising. A detailed investigation leads to a modern re-imagining of the infamous battle that took place in a quiet Dublin suburb during the Easter rebellion. This documentary challenges long held views of the event. (First Broadcast 2016)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1940's the Irish state secretly recruited its own native executioner. Counted as one of Ireland's great historical mysteries, the true identity of this Irish hangman has never been revealed. We’ve spent over 2 years searching for this man, from Dublin to Manchester to Swaziland – and finally to Cork. He believed he’d never be found… (2016)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.