Documentary On One - Rté Documentaries

A look into the darker side of Christmas - a season that can bring as much sadness as it does joy. Bereavement, homelessness, poverty, loneliness - this are all problems that can be magnified during the festive season. This documentary talks to single parents, Belfast families after internment and people in hospitals. (First Broadcast 1973)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A two-part programme made on the first CIE Express bus from Dublin to Glasgow. Sean Mac Reamoinn is joined by a host of people including their Scottish guide and philosopher, Hamish Anderson for this guided tour from Belfast to Glasgow. (First Broadcast 1971)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Catholic religion has thousands of saints. What is a saint? What characteristics does a person need to achieve this distinction? Are there too many saints already? This radio documentary, first broadcast in Easter Week 2003, looks at sainthood in the time of Pope John Paul II. (First Broadcast 2003)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Single women who became pregnant and women who were unwanted by their families for other reasons were sent to live and work in the Mary Magdelene Home Laundry in Galway. Some spent the remainder of their lives there. This documentary includes descriptions of the conditions in the laundry. (First Broadcast 1992)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robb Bradstock arrived in India just as it was announced that the Dalai Lama was to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. This documentary is a personal encounter with a people struggling to maintain a culture and religion in exile and was recorded in 1994, at a stage when the Tibetans had been almost 35 years in exile. (First Broadcast 1996)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A two-part programme made on the first CIE Express bus from Dublin to Glasgow. Sean Mac Reamoinn is joined by a host of people including their Scottish guide and philosopher, Hamish Anderson for this guided tour from Dublin to Glasgow. (First Broadcast 1971)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing number of immigrants from the Middle East have come to Ireland in the last 25 years. They are refugees, travellers and students. They come from a region of great political instability and conflict. Producer Lorelei Harris speaks to people from Syria, Iraq and Lebanon who have made a new life after immigration. (First Broadcast 1991)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of the "fallen women" who spent most of their lives in the old Magdalene home and laundry, the Convent of Our Lady of Refuge on Lower Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin. At the height of its productivity 150 women worked in this laundry. They were largely forgotten by the outside world. (First Broadcast 1990)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kilkenny man Colm Ó Lochlainn was a printer, collector of Irish ballads and a piper. He founded his own press, At the Sign of the Three Candles Press in 1926. He later became a professor of Irish Language and Literature. He was also associated with the founding of An Óige. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A documentary about the vibrant Irish community in Paris. We hear from those who have emigrated to the French capital and have made Paris their home including writer Jean O'Sullivan originally from Dublin and Gerry O'Sullivan from Cork who lectures in British Studies.(First Broadcast 1989)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For centuries 'Dancing Masters' travelled throughout Ireland from village to village, teaching Irish dance to all they met. They were flamboyant characters, wore bright clothes and carried staffs. Now long gone - their history lives on. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A radio documentary commemorating W.B. Yeats on the 50th anniversary of his death. Dublin’s William Butler Yeats (June 1865 to January 1939) was an Irish poet and dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. (First Broadcast 1989)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the greatest Irish composers of the 20th Century, Seán Ó Riada is best known for his work with Irish traditional music and the group Ceoltóirí Chualann. From those in the community to his family, this is a portrait of the man by those who knew him in Coolea, Co Cork. (First Broadcast 1981).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colette Kinsella speaks to four elderly Irish nuns who have been living in Egypt in Africa for several decades. She learns from the women about their religion and reasons for emigration, as well as growing mangoes, making wine and how to avoid a midnight eviction. (First Broadcast 2008)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The history of Ireland's most reluctant Taoiseach ever. Dublin man John A. Costello was Taoiseach from 1948–51 and 1954–57, Attorney General of Ireland from 1926–32, and legal advisor to the government after independence in 1922. Costello began life as a barrister and became involved in politics with Fine Gael. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look at the history of the American Presidency, beginning with George Washington who took office in 1789 and traversing almost two centuries. Along the way the programme looks at some iconic figures such as Thomas Jefferson, and Franklin D Roosevelt, incorporating dramatic readings and archive footage to tell the story. (First Broadcast 1972)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is estimated that close to 12% of the population in America has Irish roots. An insight into Irish-America at a time when Ireland was only beginning to realise the interest many Americans have in their Irish ancestry. This documentary looks at those searching their family history for links to Ireland. (First Broadcast 1981).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dominic McGrath left the town of Lanesborough, Co Longford, in 1827 and went to America. Now, many generations later, the McGraths have returned to their Midlands town to meet Irish cousins at a party on the banks of the River Shannon. (First Broadcast 2000)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Embracing all things Celtic, a look at the small town of Lannion in Brittany, home of the 1981 Celtic Congress. People from countries throughout Europe travel to promote and celebrate the language of the Celtic countries. (First Broadcast 1981)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seamus Hosey, accompanied By Marita Harve, visits the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto. Famed for its many Buddhist Temples, Zen Shrines, and rock gardens, there’s plenty of sightseeing on offer in Kyoto – and lots of karaoke bars to sing in. (First Broadcast 1994)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.