Documentary on One Podcast

John Richards is on a quest to solve a mystery. He's looking for a girl who he only learned about through a letter written to his father. And he last saw his father over 50 years ago. At the age of 75, and with lots of questions, John has finally decided it's time to go in search of answers. To help him, he enlists the help of genealogist as he tries to solve a mystery that has a cast a long shadow over his life. Will he find out anything about this girl? And if he does, what does it all mean? Credits: Narrated by Shauna McGreevy. Produced by Shauna together with Sarah Blake and Liam O'Brien. (2023) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when people stop having trust in the system? Two people who lost faith in the things they previously believed are Phil and Jean. Phil is a former conspiracy theorist. He spent over a year believing things like that 9/11 were a hoax. Jean used to get all her news from traditional sources. During Covid, Jean lost faith in this, and she turned to online alternative sources for information that resonated with her. We track the increase in people losing trust in media and governments from the time of the Blueshirts up to today, and look at the real world impacts this change is having. (2023) Produced by Fergal Gallagher and Nicoline Greer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1977, a giant ship named Skyhope paid a visit to the west Kerry village of Baile na nGall or Ballydavid. The ship was calling into the village on the promise of a few pints having helped out some local fishermen. Their overnight stay turned into a week-long stay which brought great crowds to the village and fantastic exotic fun. But ultimately, the visit took a turn for the worst, resulting in an incident no one could have imagined... Narrated by Sinéad Ní Uallacháin. Produced by Ronan Kelly. (2023) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish man Gerard Mooney vanished near his home in Sydney, Australia in 1996. Despite extensive searches, a major investigation by Police and television appeals, the only trace of him found was his racing bike. 27 years on, Gerard’s sister Rita believes an answer to this mystery can be found. She submits her DNA to be checked against unidentified remains found in Australia but believes the answer to her brother’s disappearance lies with those who lived in the Sydney neighbourhood of Marickville at the time. ( 2023) Produced by Tim Desmond Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why climb Mount Everest? " Because it's there". The words of explorer George Mallory in New York in 1922. But was he the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, 29 years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay? Unique diaries from Mallory’s mission, written by Irishman Richard Hingston, may just shed some new light on this question (2023) Narrated by Marc McMenamin. Produced by Marc McMenamin and Donal O'Herlihy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1972, Maura O'Reilly walked up the aisle wearing a wedding-dress her mother had made for her. It was white, lace crochet, with a high neck and bell sleeves. 50 years later, her niece walked up the aisle wearing the same dress – unaltered. In between, 8 other brides of the O’Reilly family have worn the same dress at their weddings in Cavan and Italy. This is the story of an incredible wedding dress and the 10 women who've worn it. (2023) Produced by Ronan Kelly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years ago, actor Conor Madden was stabbed in the eye, on stage in front of an audience of hundreds. He was playing the part of Hamlet when a fight scene went badly wrong. When he fell to the ground, the audience thought it was part of the show – but the accident changed Conor’s life completely. (2023) Narrated by Michael-David McKernan. Produced by Michael-David McKernan and Nicoline Greer. Photo credit to Anthony Woods. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish Civil War was shrouded in silence for decades. In one of the last atrocities of the war, we tell the story of Maggie Doherty and through her witness testimony explore the rarely discussed aspect of sexual violence in the Irish Civil War. (2023) Contributors incl Edel Doherty, Professor Linda Connolly, Frank Fagan and Tom Doherty. (2023) Produced by Orla Higgins and Sarah Blake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you bring a third person into your relationship?  Polyamorists do. They say having other romances actually strengthens their main relationship. But there are risks…and jealousies. And, practicalities: How to schedule your dates? Who minds the kids? (2023) Credits: Produced by Mary-Elaine Tynan and Ronan Kelly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1984 was a defining year in the history of the Irish Troubles. On the 12th October the IRA bombed the Brighton Hotel narrowly missing the British Prime Minister. Meanwhile a Manchester band called The Smiths were stunning the world with a unique sound. They played community centres around Ireland and a music band became part of a political storm. (2023) Credits: Narrated by David Coughlan. Produced by David Coughlan and Donal O'Herlihy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the ages of 12 to 17, two brothers, Mark and David Ryan, were both repeatedly sexually abused in Blackrock College in South County Dublin. Their abusers were from the Spiritan community at the school. Several court cases ensued as David and Mark fought for justice. Now grown men, David and Mark are ready to publicly tell their story for the first time. (2022) If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please visit www.rte.ie/support for helpline contact details. The Spiritans have asked that, should you wish to raise a concern to contact liam.lally@spiritanplt.ie head of their Safeguarding Office. Credits: Narrated and produced by Liam O’Brien. Executive producers were Seán Mac Giolla Phádraig and David Nally. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly and Eleanor Bleahene with further production assistance from the wider RTÉ Documentary On One team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Folan, long emigrated to America, made a dying wish to be buried back home on her native island of Inis Meáin. But after Mary’s death, the unthinkable happened when an attempt was made to transfer her coffin from Shannon airport to the Aran island in a cargo sling attached underneath a helicopter. And that was only the start of things to come… (2022) Narrated and produced by Sarah Blake and Treasa Bhreathnach. Mix engineering by Peadar Carney. Readings by Karl Quinn and Roger Gregg.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A devastating fire at a halting site in South County Dublin on October 10th 2015 led to multiple members of three families losing their lives. We delve into the events of that night and travel to Bray, Co. Wicklow and to Carrickmines where, for the first time, all the families involved and some of those who tried to help speak about what happened. (2022) Narrated by Lisa-Marie Berry. Produced Lisa-Marie and Ronan Kelly. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, please visit www.rte.ie/support for helpline contact details.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In September 1985, a riot erupted on Spike Island Prison in Cork Harbour. The island fort had been turned into a prison for 'joyriders', but within months, they rebelled against the regime and set the prison on fire. During that chaotic night there were reports that prisoners who had escaped found they couldn’t get off the island and had to break back into the prison they had just escaped from. The Army was sent for and then sent away again. Civilian islanders were taken hostage by prisoners but then protected by them. So what really went on - and why? (2022) Narrated by Peter Mulryan. Produced by Peter Mulryan and Ronan Kelly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reg Byrne grew up in Monkstown Farm, Dublin in the 1970s and was born with spina bifida, affecting his legs. Which makes what Reg Byrne is doing now all the more remarkable. His early family life was difficult. By the age of 8, he was sniffing glue and by 9, he was in a drug rehabilitation programme. He left school early – but then encountered a local man who changed his path in life. Today, Reg is a first class boxing coach in demand. He travels the world, but never forgets his roots. Reg runs a boxing club including a class which specialises for children with autism and disability - a place where Reg aims to give back some of what he has learned in life. (2022) Narrator: Megan Byrne. Producer: Donal O’Herlihy. Mix engineer: Peadar Kearney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 11th of January 2021 the body of a homeless man was found on the grounds of University College Dublin’s Belfield campus. His passing was widely mourned because Michael Byrne, or ‘Old Man Belfield’ as he was known, had a huge impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people. He left behind him some abiding questions like, who was he? And where did he come from? Intriguingly, nobody seems to know… (2022) Narrated and produced by Donal O’Herlihy with sound supervision by Peadar Kearney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July 2021, a 27-year old woman, Noor Mukadam, was violently murdered. Noor grew up in South County Dublin as her father established the Pakistani Embassy in Ireland. Noor loved Ireland and could never have imagined that her murder would make global headlines, not only in Ireland but also in her native Pakistan where it became a huge news story. And the reason it became a huge news story is because those who loved Noor began a fight for justice. Noor was part of elite Pakistani society. And she was killed because she turned down a marriage proposal from a son of one of the wealthiest families in Pakistan. (2022) Narrated and Produced by Nicoleen Greer. Reporting by Hannah McCarthy and Hamza Azhar Salam. Additional recordings by Tim Desmond and Saxon Baird. Sound by Peadar Carney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan and Ray were sweethearts in the early 1950’s. They broke up and Susan made a life for herself in Dublin; having five children, a divorce in 1960’s Ireland and a career as a tour guide. Ray meanwhile married and had a family in the US. Then, almost 40 years later, a bequest from Ray’s brother brought Susan and Ray back together. Falling in love again, they married and are now determined to live out their lives at home in Dublin. (2022) Produced by Mary Elaine Tynan and Tim Desmond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The discovery of six bodies in a house at Malahide in County Dublin in 1926 led to a sensational trial and the execution of one man for the crime of murder. It remains the largest mass murder in the Irish state outside of political violence. In this true crime story the question remains; why did Henry McCabe commit Murder At La Mancha? (2022) Readings by Patrick Dunne. Narrated and produced by Tim Desmond. Contributors include Mary Francis (Grandchild of Henry McCabe), Jaqueline Gates-Baston (Forensic psychologist), Tom Hannigan (Forensic Science Ireland), Patrick Gageby (Barrister), Paul Connolly (Historian), Tim Carey (Historian) and Brian Scanlon (Ballygar). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three women describe the effects of the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on their work, and on their lives. An Afghan judge who fled to Ireland, an Irish aid worker who stayed in Afghanistan, and another who returned home to Ireland. Featuring on-the-ground reporting and interviews from Kabul by journalist Hannah McCarthy who travelled to Afghanistan during the making of this documentary/podcast. (2022) Narrated by Hannah McCarthy. Produced by Hannah McCarthy and the RTÉ Documentary On One team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.