Newstalk Documentaries

Producer Alan Meaney explores the disparity between male and female and female identifying musicians in Ireland in ‘Equalization’. The programme features music and interviews with Karan Casey, Pauline Scanlon, Ellll, LOLZ, Renn, Ódú and Aoife from Alien She. It is narrated by the singer and actor Tracy Bruen. The contributors are Karan Casey and Pauline Scanlon (Fair Plé), Karen Miano (DIAXDEM Collective), Sally Ó Dúnlaing and Aoife Nic Dhonnacha (Girls Rock Dublin), Ellen King and Laura O’Connell (Gash Collective). The programme was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme

Producer Jonathan Farrelly talks to some famous sporting sisters about what it's like to play on the same teams in football and camogie. In episode two, we meet with Mary and Mena Sheridan, who lined out for both club and country in Ladies Football in Meath. We look at the family connections in ladies football and how they’ve played an important part in growing the sport.

Producer Jonathan Farrelly talks to some famous sporting sisters about what it's like to play on the same teams in football and camogie. In episode one we meet camogie greats, past and present; Kate, Niamh and Joanne O’Gorman in Clare and the infamous Downey Twins, Ann and Angela in Kilkenny.

As part of Documentary on Newstalk producer J.J. O`Shea looks at the ways in which the Irish in America were able to assist the flood of Jewish immigrants escaping the pogroms of Eastern Europe and Russia in the nineteenth century and were in a position to help them overcome problems of prejudice, poverty and outsider status in “The Shamrock and the Star.” The Shamrock and the Star features excerpts from an interview with the late Mick Moloney. Doctor Moloney was a leading authority on the role of the Irish in nineteenth century American Music and Song and we are very grateful for his contribution here.

Reporter Laura Donnelly travels to Kenya to document how the communities and aid workers are responding to the worst drought in 40 years. "When Rain Fails" is presented by Laura Donnelly and edited by Lochlainn Harte. The programme was made with thanks to Concern.

This weekend, Documentary on Newstalk airs the premiere of TRINITY, in which IMRO-nominated producer Brian Gallagher looks at the lives of the many people who live, work study, and play in Trinity College. Using a lively mix of interviews, location recordings, sound effects and music, TRINITY  explores the stories behind Ireland’s oldest university.

Documentary On Newstalk presents "Extraordinary Éire" a fast paced dash through the history books. A two-part documentary series focusing on the discoveries, inventions and successes attributed to Irish people throughout history, many of which are largely forgotten by today’s society. Episode Two, Up In The Éire, looks to the skies, and tells the stories of Irish aviation and the heroes of Irish flight, those who have emigrated and Irish products which have been sent to the four corners of the earth, chemists who furthered our understanding of gases, revolutionary astronomers and the first witch trials in Western Europe. Written and narrated by Donncha O’Dea. Produced and edited by Amy O’Dwyer. Various voices by Aisling Breen, Anthony Kinahan, Margaret McAuliffe, Ste Murray, Ciaran O’Grady, David O’Meara and Deborah Wiseman. The programme is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, with the Television Licence Fee.

Documentary On Newstalk presents "Extraordinary Éire" a fast paced dash through the history books. A two-part documentary series focusing on the discoveries, inventions and successes attributed to Irish people throughout history, many of which are largely forgotten by today’s society. From perforated stamps to CGI animation, from Milk of Magnesia to Cream Crackers, an Irish person has had a hand in inventing and discovering some of the most commonly used things in everyday life. And as for amazing accomplishments and fascinating feats, Irish people throughout history have created societal changes which helped shape the world in which we live. The first episode, Our Land, deals with the Irish affinity with the Irish sod, and tells stories of seismologists and farming revolutionaries, navigators who have discovered new lands, Irish sport and dance stars, and Irish men and women who have made a name for themselves in new lands. Episode Two, Up In The Éire, looks to the skies, and tells the stories of Irish av

‘Kila: Suas Síos - In and Out of Lockdown’ tells the story of how trad/indie band Kila traversed almost two full years of COVID-19 restrictions within the live music sector. The life blood of Kila is playing live; and while in the middle of a European tour during March 2020, COVID-19 hit. CREDITS - Producer was Noel Sweeney. The programme was presented by Ellie O’Byrne. Editor was Noel Sweeney. Assistant Producer was Ellie O’Byrne. All interviews were recorded by Noel Sweeney while all Live performances were recorded by Tom Skerritt.    This documentary was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Sound and Vision Scheme through the television license fee.  

Documentary On Newstalk presents 'Rebel Prisoner', the story of Seamus Cavanagh, a British army soldier turned Irish Volunteer who was interned in multiple prisons and camps between 1916-24 including Wormwood Scrubs, Frongoch internment camp and the prison ship Argenta. Contributors: Colm Toland, Dr Adrian Grant, Michael Gallagher. Sound Recordist: Gerry Tracey, Mix and additional editing: Rory Donaghy at Blast Furnace. Voice actor was Aoife Schlindwein with traditional singing by Grace Toland. Rebel Prisoner is a Raw Nerve production, produced and presented by Otto Schlindwein and funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee.   Image courtesy of Colm Toland - Seamus Cavanagh and Sara with children circa 1916

As part of Documentary on Newstalk a new programme by producer JJ O'Shea, telling the story of the development of 19th century mansion, Muckross House in “A Gift to The Nation”. “A Gift to The Nation”, tells the story of the development of Muckross House after it was gifted to the people of Ireland in 1932. Today the house is a museum and one of the most visited attractions in Ireland and in retrospect it may seem this is an obvious destination for its use, but several other possibilities were explored before that decision was reached. A Gift to The Nation is produced and presented by J.J. O`Shea and funded by The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.  

Documentary on Newstalk, Producer Patricia Baker celebrates the medium of the wireless in: To Radio With Love. Every day in Ireland over three million people listen to the radio. As we go about our day, more often than not, it is the radio that informs, entertains and stimulates us. Originally broadcast in 2014, To Radio With Love is a radio documentary which consists of a series of letters, a love letter if you will, written and then read out over the air by a diverse group of individuals ranging from radio presenters, development workers, and slum radio practitioners, to civil rights activists, artists and poets. These audio letters tell the story of how radio helps build communities, gives a voice to local people, and shapes modern culture. A soundtrack of iconic radio broadcasts from around the globe accompanies the letters. The contributors on To Radio With Love are: Joe Duffy, June Rodgers, Keith Somerville, Rosemary Day, Pat Herbert, Tole Nyatta, Simon Maher, Theo Dorgan, Míchéal O’Muircheartaigh, Marg

This is not a story just about whiskey but one about identity, emigration, politics and life told through the water of life itself! The fact that the word whiskey comes from the Irish word uisce speaks volumes about the history our nation has with this world-famous beverage. However, it’s not as straightforward as the method of production being invented and the brand growing, the story of whiskey is one entangled in politics and history with twists and turns at every corner.  It’s a story that goes as far back as Irish monks in 1000 AD, about a drink that ruled the world from its dominant distilleries in Dublin before it all came crashing down. As Irish whiskey died off Scotch took the reins, Japanese whiskey followed and it looked likely that Irish Whiskey would be lost forever to the history books.  Out of the ashes a few key players began a rebuild and decades later Irish whiskey has made a dramatic comeback. This documentary tells the story of how it all started, how it almost ended and poses the question

Exploring the harmful effect of man-made noise pollution on the whales and dolphins inhabiting Irish waters in a new radio documentary by producer John Higgins: A Sea of Sound Over 90% of Ireland’s territory is under the sea and this vast underwater environment is home to 25 different species of whale, dolphin and porpoise, from deep diving beaked whales hunting squid in the spectacular mountains and valleys of the ocean floor off our west coast, and humpback whales feeding and foraging here on their long migratory routes from Africa to Iceland, to resident species such as the bottlenose dolphins living all year round in the Shannon estuary. With each passing decade however, man-made noise in the ocean from sources such as fishing and shipping has effectively doubled, creating a dense acoustic smog which our marine mammals are forced to navigate through, impacting massively on these highly intelligent animals and their ability to feed, reproduce, migrate and communicate. What happens when the ocean becomes so

Through a mix of conversation with Dr Sabina Brennan and self-recordings, migraineurs Aaron, Siobhan and Fiona share their experience of life with migraine in "Imaginers"  Dr Edward O'Sullivan, Director of the Migraine Clinic at Cork University Hospital takes us inside the migraine brain offering a medical and scientific perspective Credits: Producer/Presenter Sabina Brennan. Editor Emily Burke. Assistant Producer Angela Mezzetti.  

"Whispers" is a drama telling the story of Jane, who through a series of misdiagnosis learns she has ovarian cancer. Set in her bathroom, having been sick during her daughter’s sixth birthday party, Jane reflects on the journey from diagnosis to the present day. Echoing the stages of grief, Jane battles through misdiagnosis and the feeling of not being listened to, to finding friendship and humour in the most unusual of places. She challenges the familiar mantra of ‘keeping positive’ and in turn finds herself challenged to tackle the issues of intimacy, mortality, life and love. "Whispers" was written and produced by Ruth Hayes. Directed by Eoin Ó hAnnracháin. Sound design by Ruth Hayes and sound engineer Warren Tivy. Cast Ruth Hayes, Claire J Loy and Shane Casey. "Whispers" was made with a grant from the broadcasting Authority of Ireland through the Sound and Vision Scheme Further resources. www.ovacare.ie www.cancer.ie www.emercaseyfoundation.com www.ovarian-cancer.ie

Episode Two  On the one hundredth anniversary of the publication of James Joyce's masterpiece Ulysses; a two part radio drama that tells the story of Bloomsday, June 16th 1904. 'Strolling Through Ulysses'. This programme contains adult themes. Episode two will be available on next Sunday, Feb 13th. CREDITS: ‘Strolling Through Ulysses’; written and narrated by Robert Gogan. Script editing, various voices and direction by Eimear Finan. Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. Music played by Danny Weir. Bloom Played by Paul Fred McCloskey The Reader played by Tracy Bruen Molly played by Zita Monahan-McGowan Stephen played by John Rogers Various voices by Bob Kelly, Francis Finan, Orla McGovern and Conor Geoghegan. The programme is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland,with the Television Licence Fee.

 On the one hundredth anniversary of the publication of James Joyce's masterpiece Ulysses; a two part radio drama that tells the story of Bloomsday, June 16th 1904. 'Strolling Through Ulysses'. This programme contains adult themes. Episode two will be available on next Sunday, Feb 13th. CREDITS: ‘Strolling Through Ulysses’; written and narrated by Robert Gogan. Script editing, various voices and direction by Eimear Finan. Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. Music played by Danny Weir. Bloom Played by Paul Fred McCloskey The Reader played by Tracy Bruen Molly played by Zita Monahan-McGowan Stephen played by John Rogers Various voices by Bob Kelly, Francis Finan, Orla McGovern and Conor Geoghegan. The programme is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland,with the Television Licence Fee.

Radio award nominated, "WHO KILLED BILLED?", written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Marc-Ivan O'Gorman, produced by Daryl Moorhouse of Tinpot Productions, tells the compelling story of the life and death of Irish-born Hollywood director William Desmond Taylor. A top director of his time, his murder in February 1922 became the biggest scandal of the day and ultimately changed Tinseltown forever as it led to the introduction of what would be known as The Hays Code. Taylor's story contains all the elements of a racy Hollywood plot; glamour, sex, drugs, betrayal, corruption, intrigue and, of course, murder. Funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee.  

Documentary On Newstalk presents - "Childless" a new documentary by producer Hilary Fennell. "It’s hard to imagine that there remains a subject so taboo that although shared by one in five women over 45, it is never discussed. That subject is being childless, but not by choice." -  Hilary Fennell, programme maker and journalist is one of a growing number of such women in Ireland. In this  documentary she explores what it means to be childless in a child-centred society and breaks the taboo of ‘social infertility’ by hearing the stories of six women. "The thing that infuriates me most are the ‘bingo’ comments: ‘Why don’t you just adopt? Why not buy sperm? Why not use a surrogate?’ As if it was that simple,’ comments psychotherapist Jody Day." Presenter Hilary delves into the emotional, physical and social impact of childlessness and why she feels it is such a huge taboo. "All the media wants is the happy-ending-miracle-twin IVF stories, or the women who are childless by choice. Nobody ever talks about the year