Newstalk Documentaries

Radio documentary ‘The Power of The People’ examines the significant impact of the ‘Dunnes Strikers’ on Ireland’s relations with South Africa and their contribution to the abolition of apartheidOn 19 July 1984 Mary Manning, a shop worker in Dunnes Stores on Henry Street in Dublin, refused to handle two grapefruit which had been imported from South Africa following an instruction from her union as a protest for the apartheid policies in place in the country. Mary was suspended and thus started what would become one of the longest running strikes in trade union history.A new radio documentary produced by Kelly Crichton revisits the story, highlighting the tinder box atmosphere in Dunnes which helped lead to the strike, the evolution of the strikers' motivation and understanding as well as the dramatic and dangerous events that took place over the period of the strike.The documentary follows the journey of the strikers, from the lack of support they received from politicians, the government, the church and other

In the mid-1980s, young people began leaving an economically devastated Ireland for other countries. By 1986, an estimated 150,000 undocumented Irish men and women were living in the United States. Without proper paperwork they could not access healthcare, report crime or keep bank accounts - and they faced arrest and deportation by INS agents.A group of young Irish immigrants, many of them in their 20s and undocumented, set out with the lofty goal to reform U.S. immigration law in order to create an amnesty for Irish illegal aliens (and immigrants from other nations who were in the same boat).But how could these young activists convince politicians in Washington of the merits of their campaign? And how were they going to do it in the two years before Congress ended?This is the story of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement.This Land is Your Land is produced and edited by Pavel Barter, narrated by Michael Mellamphy, and funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee.

Take a festive journey through A History of Irish Panto, a light-hearted and informative unveiling of the story of pantomime in Ireland.This two-part documentary series focuses on the seasonal theatrical extravaganzas, from their origins on the streets of Venice in the 1500s, to their first mention in an Irish newspaper in the 1731. From the productions that spread across the country in the 1800s, to the star-studded pantos that we know and love today. From the geamaireacht, the first Irish language pantos at the Abbey Theatre, to 150 years of the tradition at the Gaiety Theatre.In the local parish halls of today, just as in the grand Victorian theatres of the past, the Irish panto has had people rolling in the aisles for centuries. With contributions from theatre historians, advocates and panto fans and performers, we recount the story of a much-loved artform: a story 500 years in the making.A History of Irish Panto is presented by Amy O’Dwyer and Donncha O’Dea, the team who brought you the IMRO-nominated do

Take a festive journey through A History of Irish Panto, a light-hearted and informative unveiling of the story of pantomime in Ireland.This two-part documentary series focuses on the seasonal theatrical extravaganzas, from their origins on the streets of Venice in the 1500s, to their first mention in an Irish newspaper in the 1731. From the productions that spread across the country in the 1800s, to the star-studded pantos that we know and love today. From the geamaireacht, the first Irish language pantos at the Abbey Theatre, to 150 years of the tradition at the Gaiety Theatre.In the local parish halls of today, just as in the grand Victorian theatres of the past, the Irish panto has had people rolling in the aisles for centuries. With contributions from theatre historians, advocates and panto fans and performers, we recount the story of a much-loved artform: a story 500 years in the making.A History of Irish Panto is presented by Amy O’Dwyer and Donncha O’Dea, the team who brought you the IMRO-nominated do

A warning that sensitive topics and upsetting content are discussed in this documentary, including eating disorders, suicide and suicidal ideation.It’s a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women. The fact is that an eating disorder can affect both men and women, boys and girls.“Dying to Get Ripped” is a two-episode series by radio producer Orla Riordan for Newstalk that explores this issue. One that is becoming more prevalent amongst Irish men. This is episode one.The documentary highlights the unique risk factors facing men, who may be suffering with an eating disorder such as over-exercising, over reliance on supplements and the use of steroids in the pursuit of the body beautiful. It will discuss the influence of social media in pushing products and a muscular ideal on young men as well as speaking to organisations who are working to reduce the stigma facing men with eating disorders.The IRFU, Horseracing Ireland, and the Health Products Regulatory Authority all participate in the discu

A warning that sensitive topics and upsetting content are discussed in this documentary, including eating disorders, suicide and suicidal ideation.It’s a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women. The fact is that an eating disorder can affect both men and women, boys and girls.“Dying to Get Ripped” is a two-episode series by radio producer Orla Riordan for Newstalk that explores this issue. One that is becoming more prevalent amongst Irish men. This is episode one.The documentary highlights the unique risk factors facing men, who may be suffering with an eating disorder such as over-exercising, over reliance on supplements and the use of steroids in the pursuit of the body beautiful. It will discuss the influence of social media in pushing products and a muscular ideal on young men as well as speaking to organisations who are working to reduce the stigma facing men with eating disorders.The IRFU, Horseracing Ireland, and the Health Products Regulatory Authority all participate in the discu

On Documentary and Drama on Newstalk, reporter Josh Crosbie brings us ‘The Fragility of Peace: Tigray’s Forgotten War.’ This year’s IMRO-award-winning reporter travelled to the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia with Trócaire to examine the impact of conflict.The Tigray war lasted from November 2020 to November 2022. It’s estimated that one million people have died since the war started and a further million people have been displaced from their homes. Many experts have described the war as the deadliest conflict of the 21st century.Josh travelled to the area in November/December 2025 to bring us the latest update on how this war has affected communities and the economy, and met humanitarian workers who are trying to rebuild the lives of those impacted by the conflict and programme participants who are trying to survive in the aftermath of war.We are brought inside IDP camps for displaced people, safe spaces for survivors of gender-based violence, trauma-informed schools, educational and employment facil

A warning that sensitive topics and upsetting content are discussed in this documentary, including eating disorders, suicide and suicidal ideation.It’s a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women. The fact is that an eating disorder can affect both men and women, boys and girls.“Dying to Get Ripped” is a two-episode series by radio producer Orla Riordan for Newstalk that explores this issue. One that is becoming more prevalent amongst Irish men. This is episode one.The documentary highlights the unique risk factors facing men, who may be suffering with an eating disorder such as over-exercising, over reliance on supplements and the use of steroids in the pursuit of the body beautiful. It will discuss the influence of social media in pushing products and a muscular ideal on young men as well as speaking to organisations who are working to reduce the stigma facing men with eating disorders.The IRFU, Horseracing Ireland, and the Health Products Regulatory Authority all participate in the discu

On Documentary & Drama on Newstalk, producer Mary Lavery Carrig brings you into the life of Mistura Oyebanj, a Muslim woman in her mid-20s. In June 2024, Mistura stood as a candidate in the Local Elections for the Tralee municipal district area, in Co Kerry.From her arrival as a refugee child, to losing her mother in a tragic car accident, to putting her name on the ballot paper as a candidate in 2024, this is a heartfelt story.You will listen to the Mayor of Kerry and the Mayor of Derry & Strabane District, to her family and friends, and you will get to know Mistura herself, the central character.Cian McGrath and Zahid Khan Ahmadzai are Senior Editor and Assistant Editor, music by Matt Griffin, and the producer, researcher and narrator is Mary Lavery Carrig.This documentary was funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television License Fee.

First on Scene, Last to Heal: Emergency Workers and Fatal Collisions goes behind the scenes with the men and women of An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service and the fire service as they share stories about fatal collisions on Ireland’s roads, and how that impacts their way of thinking. Produced and presented by Alex Rowley, a young journalism student from Wicklow and IMRO-nominated broadcaster, it’s inspired by the contrasting ways different members of the emergency services deal with their trauma. Some choose to open up to friends, while for others, it’s as if nothing bothers them.Due to a spike in road deaths in recent years, the topic has been high up in the news agenda, and rightly so, but every bank holiday we hear appeals from high-ranking Gardaí, Government Ministers and the RSA. Rarely, do we hear from those who actually deal with these collisions and see the devastation firsthand.In the documentary, Paramedics Clodagh Murphy and Paul Malone, based in Waterford, tell us about the trend

Producer James Wilson looks at the darkest chapter in European history - the murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany. But what impact did this genocide have on Ireland?In the Swastika’s Shadow: Ireland and the Holocaust explores how the Irish State dealt with Hitler, the Jewish community’s fight for survival and the heroism of the Irish people who resisted the Nazis. Containing interviews with three Holocaust survivors, film director Lenny Abrahamson and former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, In the Swastika’s Shadow casts new light on this harrowing chapter in Irish history.Music provided by celloist Patrick Dexter and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta orchestra. This documentary contains conversations that some listeners may find upsetting. 

‘Roving Out’ is a radio documentary that celebrates the burgeoning musical culture of Ireland, by focusing on musical artists Mohammad Syfkhan, Varo, Qbanaa and Wise Wolf, who have all made Ireland their home. Named after the traditional song, ‘As I Roved Out’, it explores how these musicians decided to leave their own countries, some due to war and persecution, others for adventure to seek a new life on this island.All of the artists have managed to find a foothold in the Irish musical community, where they have met like-minded people and managed to combine their own culture with Irish musical forms. The artists all represent different countries including Syria, Italy, France, Cuba and Palestine and the scope of their music takes in many genres from traditional and folk to R n’ B, pop and hip hop.Mohammad Syfkhan - a Kurdish/Syrian Singer and Bouzouki player has released his debut album ‘I am Kurdish’ on the Leitrim based record label Nyahh records. He has played many gigs around Ireland including a sold-out

It's two years to the week since fighting broke out in Sudan, instigating what is now the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Reporter Sarah Madden visits Northern Bahr el Ghazal to see the fallout for herself, in 'Can You Hear Me? Dispatches From The World's Forgotten War'.

Telegram Tales from the Central Telegraph's Office, co-produced by Amandine Devine and Ellen McEvoy tells the story of the 24-hour thriving office that kept Ireland's communication on track during the 60s and 70s.Nowadays we are all familiar with instant communication - e-mail, text, and social media, but there was a time when you had to send a telegram if you wanted to contact a person that didn’t have a telephone. The contributors Ann Duncan, Cormac O'Brien, Michael Confrey and Seán Creedon, document the history of the office, peppered with memories of their interactions with customers and colleagues. The backdrop is a growing Dublin City Centre and a period of huge change in Irish history from strikes to bombs, to marriages and christenings.Telegram Tales is a nostalgic look at what was the communication of the 60s and 70s, such a necessity that many people had a full career in telegrams, which is a communication which has virtually been wiped out today.

Journalist Aisling Moloney brings us along on her move to Australia and tries to find out why thousands of young people from across Ireland are making the move Down Under.The 28-year-old from Dungarvan in Co Waterford emigrated to Sydney in 2024, after several years of living and working in Dublin as a journalist with RTÉ and as Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail.At the beginning of her journey, she meets a busker at Byron Bay, born to Irish parents who left for Australia's sunny shores in the 1960s. Fintan, the musician grew up on a hippie commune. Aisling then speaks to young people on the Rainbow Walkway on Coogee Beach in Sydney about the draw of Australia and their experience of life in Sydney.After hearing about how living so far away from home can be hard for many, she speaks to Central Coast GAA Club and visits 'The Doss House' and 'Frank Macs' where Irish gather in search of that feeling of home.She then makes the trip to Perth to visit her sister Eimear, who has lived there for 1

Groundbreakers Series Two: Three documentaries that chart the life and work of older women who did not just live through a changing Ireland but who were the changemakers.Three groundbreaking women have made positive changes in academia, engineering, the environment, and social justice. These women are known and highly regarded and loved within their area of expertise, but they are not known by the general public. We listen to their story, to celebrate them, to thank them for making Ireland a better place for us all.Their lives tell the story of Ireland’s progression and change. One women’s story that brings us on an audio journey through the changes, over the last decades, to the issues she dedicated her life to. In Groundbreaker: Anita Hayes we explore the issues of seed sovereignty and biodiversity, in Groundbreaker: Mary Crilly we examine sexual violence and exploitation in Ireland and in Groundbreaker: Jane Grimson, we look at women in engineering and genderism in the workforce.Warning: some readers/liste

Groundbreakers Series Two: Three documentaries that chart the life and work of older women who did not just live through a changing Ireland but who were the changemakers.Three groundbreaking women have made positive changes in academia, engineering, the environment, and social justice. These women are known and highly regarded and loved within their area of expertise, but they are not known by the general public. We listen to their story, to celebrate them, to thank them for making Ireland a better place for us all.Jane was the first female graduate in engineering in Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Being the only woman in the class, she was never expected to last. This was the 1960s, at a time when female engineers were almost unheard of, not just in Ireland but worldwide. Even now Engineering and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) struggle with gender bias. But in the 1960s, as a young woman, Jane sat as the lone female in a class of engineering students. But it never deterred her.Jane went on t

Groundbreakers Series Two: Three documentaries that chart the life and work of older women who did not just live through a changing Ireland but who were the changemakers.Three groundbreaking women have made positive changes in academia, engineering, the environment, and social justice. These women are known and highly regarded and loved within their area of expertise, but they are not known by the general public. We listen to their story, to celebrate them, to thank them for making Ireland a better place for us all.Ground Breaker Anita Hayes centres on the life's work of Anita Hayes, who established Irish Seed Savers. She dedicated her life’s work to safeguard our future food crops by preserving the rich genetic diversity of the past, by creating a community of Seed Savers all over Ireland.Anita founded the Irish Seed Savers in 1991 on a small farm in Co. Carlow. In 1996 the project moved to its present site in Scarriff and in 1997 a FAS community employment scheme secured a site and employment for many staff

'Milk to North Kerry is like Oil to the Arabs’, produced and narrated by Mary Lavery Carrig, tells the story of the early days of Kerry Co-Op, a company established in North Kerry 50 years ago, laying roots for the multinational global giant we know today as Kerry PLC.Interviewees are Billy Keane, Eamon Barry, Hugh Friel, Denis Brosnan, Tom O’Connor, Pat Golden and Tom O’Sullivan. They all recall, first-hand, those exciting, formative and busy days, 50 years ago. This program offers fascinating insight into the dairy farming world of North Kerry 50 years ago and the series of events which occurred to bring about the formation of Kerry Co-Op, with seismic implications for the future. This is a story about community, perseverance, self-belief, empowerment, ambition and a drive to succeed, when dairy farmers and businessmen combined to realise a dream.Mary Lavery Carrig set out to find the human face of Kerry Co-Op 50 years ago and in this documentary, she brings that human face of Kerry Co-op to you, the listen

A father and his 14-year-old daughter set out on a journey across Japan to discover why Irish traditional and Celtic music have become fused into Japanese culture. In recent years, Nihonjin (Japanese people) have picked up fiddles, whistles, bazoukis and uilleann pipes, and begun playing Irish traditional music. Now Japanese musicians are bringing their take on trad back to us in Ireland. Pavel and his daughter Edie attend the annual Féile Tokyo, which draws musicians and dancers from across Japan. They meet performers in Kyoto and explore the historical, cultural and artistic connections between Ireland and Japan.Shōgun Seisiún is edited, presented and produced by Pavel Barter and Edie Carey-Barter. Funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee.Featuring musical performances by:Lisako FukudaO’Jizo (Kozo Toyota, Koji Nagao, Hirofumi Nakamura)Ryo KanekoSuzaki KazuhikoAnona (tribute to Anúna)Peter Cole Irish pub session night in TokyoThe Field pub session night in KyotoSharleen McCaffreyBrendan Do