Documentary on Newstalk

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...

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...

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. A...

"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...

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...

 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 d...

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 fo...

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  document...

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 p...

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 ab...

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 W...

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; me...

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 c...

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 Gerr...

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...

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 ru...

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 Paralympi...

"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, Mich...

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...

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...

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 pas...

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...

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 Sch...

‘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 or...