RTÉ Documentaries

On June 12th 2015, the iconic O'Connell Street department store, Clerys, closed its doors for the last time. Overnight, 460 staff lost their jobs. Clerys looks back at the history of the store and follows the lives of former employees Maurice Bracken and Gerry Markey over a six month period as they try to come to terms with Clerys closure. With over 70 years service between them and now suddenly unemployed, Maurice and Gerry have many questions about the closure and liquidation. With no notice of closure given to staff and only a half hour to vacate building after it was closed, Maurice and Gerry are faced with the harsh reality that when big business comes to town, a lifetime of dedicated service often counts for very little.

In this one off documentary Dr.Eva Orsmond investigates Ireland's consumption of sugar and explores the latest research on serious health problems and their link to excessive sugar use. Dr. Eva finds out how we can cut back on our excessive use of sugar as she charts the progress of a Kilkenny family who are stunned to find out how much sugar is lurking in their 'normal' diet. "Added sugar is public enemy No.1 in the Western diet. We are all over consuming sugar in Ireland. In 50 years time we will look back in horror." Health experts deliver chilling comments on the Ireland's love of sugar in a new documentary that lays bare the grim consequences of our national sweet tooth. "Sugar is a dangerous molecule. We have hard and fast data for four diseases that sugar is causative for. We keep alcohol out of the hands of children but we don't think twice about giving them a glass of soda." Ireland is the fourth highest consumer of sugar in the world but very few of us know how much sugar we are eating, which is, on average, 24 teaspoons a day. The World Health Organisation is worried about sugar. It recommends we cut our consumption to less than 6 teaspoons a day for health benefits. This documentary reveals the shocking cost of our sugar habit in hospital admissions, long term illness and premature death. As the children of today face a shorter life expectancy than their parents this programme tells the story that we all need to understand if we want to change that stark prediction.

Three homeless families film their experiences over a 12 week period, revealing the emotional and psychological effects of living in emergency accommodation.

Catriona Crowe explores what was happening in the lives of Irish people in the years leading up to the Easter Rising, from the growing Catholic middle-classes to tenement dwellers.

The comedian looks at what really matters in the General Election-including the parties, the people and the issues-while Blindboy Boatclub of the Rubberbandits also has his say.

Documentary charting the efforts of families trying to get justice for their loved ones, who were murdered in Melbourne within the space of a year and all by men who had previously been convicted of serious crimes. The programme looks at the killings of jeweller Dermot O'Toole, hostel manager David Greene and radio station worker Jill Meagher.

The refugee crisis in Europe is one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in the history of the world. Refugees fleeing war and poverty in Syria are crossing the sea in tiny boats, looking for the safety of Europe, many losing their lives on the way. In this documentary, we follow Valerie Cox and her family as they travel to the Greek Island of Kos to help the refugees who arrive in their hundreds.

A profile of the racehorse trainer who died in 2010 following a career that spanned 52 years, told against the backdrop of relevant transformative events in Irish history. Mullins' first winner came in 1953, and his accomplishments included six Cheltenham Festival successes, four Irish National victories and 10 Irish jump trainers' titles.

Documentary in which Professor Declan Kiberd examines the role that artists and writers had in reinventing Ireland in the late 19th Century, and asks whether the Celtic Revival really was the spark that ignited the revolutionary flame.

Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, Aidan Power and Des Cahill presenting the St Patrick's Day Festival parade as it rolls through Dublin. Those taking part will provide spectacular pageantry and colourful performances on the theme of Imagine If, inspired by the imagination of Ireland's youth as they look to the future, while music is provided by 14 bands from across the country.

Everyone has heard of the seven men who signed the Proclamation of the Irish Republic in Easter 1916. But we never hear about the women who were caught up in the extraordinary events of Easter week. Over two hundred women fought or served with the rebel forces. Most of them have been forgotten, and some were literally airbrushed out of history. But many of these females left vivid and evocative accounts of the conflict. So too did several of the civilian women who were caught in the crossfire. Produced by leading Irish TV history producer Tile Films, this documentary reveals the incredible stories of Seven Women of 1916. The documentary is presented by acclaimed Irish actress Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter, The Butcher Boy), and features a stunning ensemble cast including Emma Lowe (Brooklyn, Fair City) as Constance Markievicz, Mary Ryan (Corp agus Anam, Breakfast on Pluto) as Mary McLaughlin and Nichola MacEvilly (The Bill) as Margaret Skinnider.

Presented by former British Defence Secretary Michael Portillo, The Enemy Files tells the story of the Easter Rising from the point of view of those who suppressed it - British spies, soldiers, politicians and bureaucrats. This is the view from the other side. Featuring interviews with a wide array of contributors including renowned journalist Robert Fisk, former British Minister of State for Security and Counter-terrorism Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones and former British Chief of the General Staff, General Lord Dannat, The Enemy Files explores hidden motives, withheld data and questionable interpretations of the facts.

Documentary exploring identity in Ireland today. Traveller and actor John Connors embarks on a personal journey to tackle the truth about the way he is seen by others.

The written words of people involved in the Easter Rising are brought back to life 100 years after they were written. Presented by Ryan Tubridy and filmed in the GPO.

Broadcaster Joe Duffy tells the story of the 1916 Easter Rising as seen from the perspective of the 40 children who lost their lives during the conflict.

A documentary following Ireland’s most famous drag queen and self-styled “accidental activist” as she becomes a figurehead in the fight for LGBT rights in Ireland and a vital part of the successful campaign for marriage equality. Panti: The Queen of Ireland PANDORA ‘PANTI’ BLISS is many things: part glamorous aunt, part Jessica Rabbit, she’s a wittily incisive performer with charisma to burn who is regarded as one of the best drag queens in the world. Created by Rory O’Neill, Panti is also an accidental activist and in her own words ‘a court jester, whose role is to say the un- sayable’. Over the last few years Rory has become a figurehead for LGBT rights in Ireland and since the recent scandal around Pantigate, his fight for equality and against homophobia has become recognised across the world. THE QUEEN OF IRELAND is a documentary film that follows Rory’s journey from the small Mayo town of Ballinrobe to striding the world stage. The film takes us behind the scenes with his alter ego Panti in the year she became the symbol of Ireland’s march towards marriage equality. Directed by Conor Horgan (One Hundred Mornings, Deep End Dance) and produced by Blinder Films (Citadel, One Hundred Mornings) the film builds build up a multi-faceted picture of a complex and compelling character through behind the scenes footage and interviews with friends, peers and protégés, including Bunny, Tonie Walsh, Shirley Temple Bar, Una Mullally, David Norris, the O’Neill family, the other half of CANDI PANTI, Angelo Pitillo, long time collaborators Niall Sweeney and Philip McMahon. The Queen of Ireland was co-funded by RTÉ.

Special live television event that tells the story of modern Ireland through music, dance and song. Artists include Imelda May, Jack L, Gavin James, The High Kings, Colm Wilkinson, Danny O'Reilly, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Sharon Shannon, Dónal Lunny, John Sheahan, Celine Byrne, and Seo Linn.

Life in Ireland for people from a different ethnic background, including a Nigerian man who tells of the struggle between his Tallaght upbringing and his parents' expectation.

I am Irish is an engaging and visually arresting documentary that rips apart the meaning of Irish identity for young people living in Ireland in 2016.

Using still images and film footage taken over thirty years ago photographer Joe St Leger tells the story of photographing the last of the hooker boatmen of Connemara. For centuries Galway hookers sailed the waters of Galway Bay transporting people, goods and animals and connecting remote coastal communities with the Aran Islands, Galway city and market towns like Kinvara. Transport and fishing once provided work for hundreds of these boats and their crews but by the 1960s their working days were coming to an end and many old boats were abandoned. In the 1980s attempts were made to revive interest in the craft starting with the annual Crinniú na mBád or Gathering of the Boats in Kinvara and to preserve for for future generations the skills needed to build and to sail them. This film uses photographs taken during the revival to document what remained of the Galway hookers and of the people and places associated with them.

On the first anniversary of the Referendum, The Story of Yes revisits the hopes, fears and ultimately celebration of a day when Ireland said yes to marriage equality.

A celebration of the larger-than-life and somewhat rebellious performer from the unique perspective of the so-called Man in Black's greatest songs. The film combines original interviews with his family and friends, and for the first time, Cash’s children, John Carter Cash and Rosanne Cash, along with June Carter’s daughter Carlene Carter, will appear together in a film about Johnny Cash. I Am Johnny Cash is built around 12 essential Johnny Cash tracks spanning four decades that each deliver the passion, musicality and messages against war, injustice, racism and prejudice, as told through interviews, archival concert footage, photographs and personal artifacts from the Cash family.

Filmed over a year, Bypassed, a one hour documentary for RTÉ One tells the story of Ireland's first motorway - the M7 from Dublin to Limerick - and the towns and communities it has left in its wake.

An hour long documentary following the personnel of the 47th Infantry Group as they prepare for deployment overseas to serve with the United Nations’ peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

A charming, funny and poignant film, Older than Ireland tells the story of a hundred years of a life as seen through the eyes of thirty Irish centenarians.

An intimate portrait of the artist, the man and his music.

The Man on Bridge documentary tells the fascinating story of iconic Dublin street photographer Arthur Fields who took photographs on O’Connell Bridge from the 1930s to the 1980s.

An intimate and revealing portrait of Sir James Galway, regarded by many as the finest flautist of his generation.

This documentary tells the story of the evolution and development of landscape painting in Ireland.

Actor Adrian Dunbar, long an admirer of Behan’s work and who has played Brendan on stage in New York, sets out on a journey to recover the man from the myth.

A feature length documentary which looks at movie-going in Ireland throughout the decades. Exploiting a treasure chest of hitherto undocumented or privately documented stories and adventures that have been stored inside heads or scribbled in yellowing notebooks and diaries across the country, the film examines specific periods of Irish history as related, through the prism of cinema, by ordinary and less ordinary people who lived and are living through them. Their testimony guides us through the years, providing insight, historical knowledge, funny anecdotes, local colour, and other comic or perhaps even tragic stories. Out of this emerges a truly nationally-shared experience of cinema-going as important to our common heritage as any of the other components of our culture.

A landmark documentary which looks back at the poems that shaped us as a people and illustrates why poetry is so central to our culture. Using Michael Hartnett's quotation as a springboard, 'A Rebel Act' offers a whistle-stop tour through the last 1000 years of Ireland's history as captured by the words of its poets. From the bards to the newest young Irish voices we hear how Ireland's poets have, from the earliest times, captured the people's response to love, death, plantation, famine, rebellion, civil war, emigration, the Celtic Tiger and the crash. Each poem is an individual act of rebellion. This is not Rebel with a capital 'R' (though we will show that it can be and has been), but with a small, true, challenge-the-status-quo 'r'. Featuring contributions from poets, writers and historians, with performances by Irish people from all walks of life - from teachers and market-sellers to well-known actors and even former Presidents - this landmark documentary shows that poetry has teeth and can change the way we think, act and feel; it can entertain, sadden, gladden, provoke and disturb; that poetry is as important today as it always has been - if not more so. If there was an Olympics in poetry Ireland would be taking home the medals. 'A Rebel Act' illustrates why such a small nation sits at the top table in the poetry world.

Documentary film exploring the two decades that laid the stepping stones for the foundation of the Irish state and the claim to sovereignty.

A creative documentary on the ongoing collaboration between 3 of Ireland's most distinguished musicians - Peadar Ó Riada, Martin Hayes and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh

The Various Voices international LGBT choral festival was held in Dublin last year, hosted by the city's lesbian and gay choir Glória. The festival includes a Eurovision extravaganza, with performances by Niamh Kavanagh, Linda Martin and Johnny Logan.

New production of Il barbiere di Siviglia from Dublin’s innovative opera company Wide Open Opera recorded at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin on April 23rd 2016 conducted by Fergus Sheil.

With specially recorded performances and collaborations, an intimate portrait of one of Ireland’s most loved musicians, The Chieftain’s Paddy Moloney.

Documentary focusing on the work of a group of five virtuoso musicians as they perform creative and innovative interpretations of traditional music.

100 years on gives us the space to look back on the events of Easter 1916 with some perspective and this new 3-part series looks into those revolutionary days and the people who made history.

This drama documentary, set in Ireland, tells the true story of two remarkable women, Lady Mary Rosse and Mary Ward, who had a passion for science and technology, including photography, astronomy, microscopy, illustrations, architecture, all during a time (1850′s) when women were not admitted to universities. Through dramatizations and contributions from the Earl of Rosse, Brendan Parson and his wife Allison, together with several leading experts in science, literature, engineering, astronomy, photography and history, explore the fascinating achievements of these two pioneering women.

Keelin Shanley explores the risks of having everything connected, as cyber criminals target personal banking and healthcare to national power grids and transport systems.

In Ireland, “person” and “place” are inseparable. Sense of place has shaped the Irish literary imagination and Irish identity for some time. Fís na Fuiseoige explores the deep connection between people and place, as expressed in Irish language poetry and local lore. Filmed over a year, and using state-of-the-art aerial cinematography, the film is a stunning visual exploration of the diversity of local places in Ireland, as seen from a bird’s-eye view. This exploration is illuminated by the perspective of the country’s leading Irish language poets who have written about the importance of place.

Anne-Marie Tomchak returns home to Ireland, determined to explore a world where our digital fingerprints are being captured and exploited in all areas of modern life.

Michael, they’ve shot them tells the powerful story of the impact of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising in Australia. In the midst of WWI, the executions of the leaders of the 1916 Rising would influence the Cork born, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix, to take a public stance against the question of conscription facing the Australian people. A bitter sectarian divide opened in Australian society, as an Irish-Australian Catholic force, which would shape the political and social trajectory of Australia, was forged.

Why is it that St Patrick’s Day is the only national holiday that is celebrated in almost every country across the world? Why can Irish pubs be found from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe? It seems that nearly everybody on the planet has some sort of a connection to Ireland.

Special one-hour documentary follows the O’Donovan brothers as they return to their parish of Lisheen and Skibbereen rowing club in the aftermath of their success.

Lisa Hannigan is back at the Sounds From A Safe Harbor to give a unique performance alongside the prestigious RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and Aaron Dessner of The National.