Newstalk Documentaries

Trigger for Change is new radio documentary, created by artist Sinead McCann in collaboration with The Bridge Project. Produced by Sinead McCann and Alan Meaney in collaboration with The Bridge Project. Music by Eamonn Bailey. The documentary explores the challenges people with a criminal record face in securing employment on release from prison. It focuses on the difficult life stories of these people, but finds hope in their recovery and how they have built new lives through education, community engagement and employment. This project is funded by the Arts Council Artist in the Community Scheme, managed by Create. The research and development was funded by Dublin City Council Culture Company  Trigger For Change is included in First Fortnight Festival 2022. www.firstfortnight.ie

Documentary on Newstalk, producer Lisa Gernon tells the story of the voices behind the phenomenal success of ‘Irish Women in Harmony’.  In 2020 ‘Irish Women in Harmony’ a collective of over 40 Irish female artistes came together – while apart - to record a cover of The Cranberries’ hit ‘Dreams’ which was one of the most successful musical collaborations of 2020 and raised over 250K for domestic abuse charity Safe Ireland. ‘Irish Women in Harmony - Behind the Voices’ was produced by Lisa Gernon and was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound and Vision Scheme. In ‘Irish Women in Harmony - Behind the Voices’ RuthAnne, Una Healy, Lyra, Karen Cowley from Wyvern Lingo and Erica Cody tell the story of how this amazingly talented group of women came together to make this happen and thus creating this inclusive, supportive, empowering musical community for Irish female artists.

In ‘The Wicklow Round’, radio producer Ciarán Ryan meets with and follows a number of runners who have taken on The Wicklow Round, a grueling 110km+ self-navigated challenge to 26 summits in the Wicklow Mountains. The documentary charts the origins of the ‘round’ back to the early part of this century, meeting some of the pioneers involved in setting the route and those who took it on first. The Wicklow Round gives a taste of what awaits in the Irish mountain running community, with plenty of mud, sweat and tears (to borrow from the title of contributor Moire O’Sullivan’s book on the round) along the way. The documentary was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, through the television licence fee.

Documentary on Newstalk presents “Captain Jack Crawford: The Poet Scout”. Producer Jim Doherty puts on his cowboy hat to tell the story of the Donegal man who became a Wild West hero, poet, and entertainer in “Captain Jack Crawford: The Poet Scout”. “Most people will have heard of such icons of the American West as Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok, General Custer, Sitting Bull, and Calamity Jane; men and women imbued with a sense of adventure, who lived in dangerous and exciting times. But how many know the amazing story of their friend and contemporary, Captain Jack Crawford? Or that he was born and reared in Carndonagh, Co Donegal, and that he shaped much of what we know of today as the ‘Wild West’? Captain Jack (known as "The Poet Scout"), was a master storyteller about the Wild West and was one of the most popular performers of the late nineteenth century. Our documentary tells the amazing story of a penniless and illiterate teenager who fled famine and poverty in Ireland to achieve fame, fortune and advent

This week on Documentary On Newstalk - "The Troublesome Nun" a new radio documentary on the life and times of Margaret Mac Curtain, a Dominican Sister whose lifelong determination to write women into mainstream Irish history changed the narrative of Irish history forever. Margaret was a historian, a feminist, a teacher, a human rights activist, and a nun. ‘This documentary is an important way to capture the impact that Margaret had which was quite a wide impact.’ said Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland. ‘It was as an historian, as a feminist, long before people were calling themselves a feminist, as an educator, as a Dominican nun, and as a women with such warmth and kindness and humour, that she made everyone, male and female, love her for herself and what she gave of herself. The Troublesome Nun is part of a forthcoming series of three documentaries, each one charting the life and work of one extraordinary woman who broke the ground for the next generation of women. These older women did not j

Director Órfhlaith Foyle and producer Alan Meaney bring you the story of May Mullen. In 1900s Ireland, a fiercely independent woman rallies against traditional expectations in ‘May’s End’. CREDITS: ‘May’s End’ was written and directed by Órfhlaith Foyle. Produced, recorded and edited by Alan Meaney. The cast are Tara Finn, John Burke, Gerry Howard, Joan Gildea, Eimir Creedon, Austin Prior and Gerry Ferguson. Original artwork by Órfhlaith Foyle. Original artwork by Órfhlaith Foyle.

This weekend on Documentary On Newstalk we remember the events of September the 11th 2001. And hear the story of its first official victim, proud Irish-American and chaplain to the New York Fire Department, Father Mychal Judge. This is "Last Hour - the story of 911's First Victim" Credits: Last Hour - the story of 911's First Victim was produced by Sorcha Heron and narrated by Mary McEvoy. And was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme.

Simon Tierney presents a special programme to mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks in the US, as he investigates how the tragedy impacted Irish families.

 ‘Two Thieves’, a darkly-comic audio drama written by Hugh Hick and produced by Heather MacLeod. In an alternate dystopian society, two criminals are up for the public vote on a Government-sponsored radio programme – and only one can be saved. With echoes of Beckett, a biblical story becomes a contemporary exploration of populist rehabilitation and political manipulation, and whether in a world run on the fingertips of snap judgements and mob rule, can anyone really be saved? Bleak and comic in equal measures, Two Thieves holds a lens up to the things we think we know about the people we’ve never met. The drama features Mary Murray, Matthew Malone, Michael James Ford and Margaret McCauliffe with original music composed by Justin McCann. Two Thieves was written and directed by Hugh Hick, and produced by Heather MacLeod.  The programme was made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee. 

As Team Ireland compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Documentary On Newstalk presents another chance to hear 2016's 'Personal Best – The Story Behind Irish Women in Paralympic Sport’ by Susan Dennehy.  In 'Personal Best', radio producer Susan Dennehy profiles, and follows over the course of several months, the progress of two female athletes who went on to represent Ireland at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016. Through incredible personal stories, the massive impact sport can have on women’s lives is gently revealed. At just 21, swimmer Ellen Keane was about to compete in her third Paralympic Games. Ellen, who was born without her left forearm, went on to win a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016 and has recently won god at Tokyo 2020. For Deirdre Mongan who was 38, the 2016 Paralympics was her first time to compete at the Paralympics. Galway woman, Deirdre, was paralysed in a farming accident at the age of 14. She has never let her disability compromise her life, as well as being a w

"Full of Heart" examines the extraordinary events of October 9th 2016, when mother of one Michelle Herbert from Newcastle West, suddenly lost consciousness while playing in the Limerick Junior camogie county final. ‘About five minutes into the second half, I just felt dizzy and I put my hurley out to steady myself and I collapsed," Michelle recalls of the incident. Suffering a cardiac arrest, Michelle lay unconscious as her family including her husband Jer and son Conor watched on as she clung to life. In that moment the game ceased to be, the roar of the crowd faded as the seriousness of the situation became evident. Both sets of players who had fought against each other over the previous 40 minutes now fought together – for Michelle's life. Tournafulla’s Sarah Jane Joy had been marking Michelle when she collapsed. As fate would have it Sarah Jane is a nurse and her training took over immediately. Acting on instinct she began compressions. As players, mentors and supporters from both parishes watched on, Sar

Documentary on Newstalk presents a new two part series 'THE FARMERS WHO WENT WILD'. Mary Brophy retraces the story of the supposedly unlikely friendship between two farmers and an ecologist.  And how their shared love of wildlife saw them attempt to reverse the devastating impacts of decades of intensive farming on biodiversity, in one Cork river valley. ‘The Farmers who went Wild’ is presented by Mary Brophy, written and produced by Neal Boyle, and was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, with the television license fee.

Documentary on Newstalk presents a new two part series 'THE FARMERS WHO WENT WILD'. Mary Brophy retraces the story of the supposedly unlikely friendship between two farmers and an ecologist.  And how their shared love of wildlife saw them attempt to reverse the devastating impacts of decades of intensive farming on biodiversity, in one Cork river valley. ‘The Farmers who went Wild’ is presented by Mary Brophy, written and produced by Neal Boyle, and was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, with the television license fee.

This weekend on Documentary on Newstalk, producer Regan Hutchins tells the story of how thousands of books by Irish and International authors were banned in Ireland in the 20th Century.  This documentary assesses the impact of a strict regime of censorship on writers and readers over a 40 year period, leading up to the 1970s and it hears how censorship and self-censorship is not a thing of the past. Evil Literature and Censorship is presented and produced by award winning producer Regan Hutchins who is joined by Declan Kiberd, Aoife Bhreatnach, Jana Fischerova, Julia Carlson, Andrea Nagle, Noelle Dowling, James Kelly and Pól Ó Duibhir Evil Literature and Censorship is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland under the Sound & Vision Scheme.  

On Documentary on Newstalk, producer Jonathan Farrelly takes a trip back to Kilkenny in the 1980’s, when one of the greatest ‘dynasty’ teams in history began their famous streak of winning... in part two of a new radio documentary series: ‘Dynasty; The Greatest Ladies Teams Of All Time’. The Greatest Ladies Teams Of All Time’ was Produced by Jonathan Farrelly and was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme.

The first in a two part radio documentary series: ‘Dynasty; The Greatest Ladies Teams Of All Time’. In 1948, the Dublin Camogie team went on a streak of winning All Ireland titles that may never be surpassed. ‘DYNASTY: The Greatest Ladies Teams Of All Time’ was Produced by Jonathan Farrelly and was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme.

‘From Rebel Leader to Peace Activist: The making of George Lennon’ charts the life of the man who, inspired by tales of Patrick Sarsfield growing up, would go on to lead the West Waterford Flying Column during the Irish War of Independence. ‘From Rebel Leader to Peace Activist: The making of George Lennon’ is written and narrated by Simon Maguire, produced by Simon Maguire and Susan Cahill with original compositions and audio mastering by Scott Tobin.

  Signing In: The ‘New Irish’ Writers, is produced by Bairbre Flood and funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland under the Sound & Vision Scheme. Poets and editors from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, India and South Africa give us an in-depth look at diversity in Irish writing and publishing. Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Christie Kandiwa, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Khanyo Dlamini and Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi read their poetry of love, migration, family - and share their own unique experiences of ‘home’. They reflect on the power of language to shape identity, and the connection between writing and social change.

Producers Jonathan Farrelly and Dave Thorpe look at the story of the Baltinglass GAA team that won the 1990 football club All Ireland.    

Produced by Simon Ó Gallchobhair ‘Town of Kings’ uncovers the hidden history of Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. The town of Dún Laoghaire, on the coast of Co. Dublin, is a place of hidden histories and contested identity. Founded on the ruins of fifth century fort, the building of a harbour in 1817 led to the creation of Dún Laoghaire.  The town was renamed Kingstown following the drunken visit of George IV in 1821, before reverting to it’s original name in 1920. Town of Kings documents the rapid growth of this seaside Victorian town up to the present day. The program weaves together the perspective of historians and long time residents who have witnessed the town's contrasting fortunes. The historian Tom Conlon reveals the squalid slums of Kingstown hidden behind opulent retailers. The rise of nationalist Ireland is explored with an IRA assassination attempt in the town. Local residents who share their family history include pawn-broking in the 1920; selling newspapers on George's Street in the 1960s; old world p