Documentary On One - Rté Documentaries

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A family from Donegal travel 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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. (First Broadcast 1984)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This documentary is based on an unpublished memoir and tells the story of the life and work of a lime burner- seen through the eyes of Matty McCaulife from Kerry and ‘the limeburner of Churchhill’ - an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)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America attempted a nationwide ban on the sale of alcohol to try to transform a basic habit of millions of people. Prohibition was introduced from 1920 -1933. This documentary tells the story of speakeasies, moonshine and the crime families and gangsters that ran the underground sale of liquor in Chicago and other cities. (First Broadcast 1981)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A documentary about Muslim women wearing the hijab in Ireland. This programme hears the story of Shekinah Egan, a young girl from Gorey who found herself at the centre of a controversy around the wearing of the Muslim headscarf to her local school. (First Broadcast 2009)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An exploration of the literary history of Uibh Laoire - the lakeland between Macroom and Gougane Barra in West Cork. It's been written about by literary figures: O'Connor, Ó Faoiláin and Corkery.It is the country of "The Tailor and Ansty" and the cradle of the Irish language revival at the beginning of the last century. (First Broadcast 1972)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This story looks at events in 2005, when Gardaí from the Garda National Immigration Bureau drove from Dublin to Athlone, Co. Westmeath with orders to pick up six children and two adults for immediate deportation to Africa. (First Broadcast 2007)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the breakout of World War II, the Irish Merchant fleet became a vital part saving the nation from food shortages and Lemass said that we couldn’t have preserved our neutrality without it. The military men who served with the Merchant Navy Fleet talk about their time at sea. (First Broadcast 2001)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violent Export is a radio documentary by Kevin O'Connor that delves in to the thoughts of the people living in Britain during the times of the London bombings. Kevin speaks to both Irish and British people and asks their thoughts on the violence. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A radio documentary that tells the story of John B. Keane's "The Field", and how a dispute between two farmers over bog land in mountainous rural Kerry during the 1950s culminated in Richard Harris's nomination for an Oscar in 1991 .(First Broadcast 2003)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bilingual documentary on Poitín, the Irish alcohol traditionally and illegally distilled from malted barley or potatoes in rural Ireland for centuries. One of the strongest alcoholic beverages in the world. This documentary hears of the craft, traditions and uses for the potent drink. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pat Feeley tells the story of the pogrom against Jewish people in Limerick City. In 1904, a Catholic priest named Fr John Creagh instigated an economic boycott against the small Jewish community that had settled in the city, which eventually led to them all leaving. (First Broadcast 1979)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the brain. It's usually transmitted by a bite from an infected animal. For humans, it can be fatal unless an antidote is given. We examine the virus, its beginnings, its dangers and effects on people’s health. (First Broadcast 1976)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A documentary about musicians Thom Moore and Vincent Harrison and their relationship to Ireland and America. Singer/Songwriter Thom Moore was born in California. Fiddle Player Vincent Harrison is from Dromahair, Co. Leitrim.We learn of their relationships with their new homelands and how it influenced their music. (First Broadcast 1999)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many years Irish lighthouses have safely guided passing ships safely along our shores. This documentary tells the story of those whose job it was to look after the many lighthouses around the country. Living and working in this solitary environment often took a toll on the men’s mental health, emotions and family life. (First Broadcast 2000)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.