RTÉ Documentaries

Born in Annascaul, Kerry in 1877, Tom Crean left home at 15 years of age and after a chance encounter with Robert Scott found himself on his first Antarctic expedition. Following in Crean's footsteps, Charlie Bird travels from Crean's birthplace in Kerry to Antarctica and ultimately to the South Pole revealing Crean's life story. Recounting Crean's second Antarctic expedition - again with Scott - aboard the 'Terra Nova', Charlie explores why, within a hair's breadth of reaching the South Pole, Scott turned Crean and two others back. And we learn of Crean's courage and fortitude as he undertook an impossible solo march to get rescue for his comrades. Trudging across the never-ending ice, Charlie discovers the true reality of that endeavour. As Charlie reaches the South Pole, an achievement sadly Tom Crean was never afforded, he considers the enormous contribution the unassuming Kerryman made to Antarctic exploration and the crucial role he played in some of the most dramatic events of the time.

Charlie Bird continues his journey through Antarctica and picks up the trail of Tom Crean in 1912 as the Discovery Expedition ends in the death of Captain Scott and his four companions. They perished on their return march from the South Pole and it was a rescue team that included Crean who found them frozen in the snow. The story of Tom Crean's expedition enters its final chapters. Although devastated by the loss of Scott, Antarctica was not finished with Crean yet. Charlie follows the route of his last and greatest adventure alongside Ernest Shackleton aboard the Endurance. It was to become one of the greatest and most dramatic events in Antarctic exploration. The ship sank in the ice of the Weddell Sea and as all hands took to the lifeboats, it was up to Crean and team aboard the James Caird to find rescue - completing the first ever crossing of South Georgia's frozen mountains. Charlie also discovers what daily life is like at the South Pole today and the extraordinary science and research base that now exists there. Back in Kerry, Charlie meets Crean's last living relatives and discovers how after a lifetime of adventure, the supremely modest and unassuming Kerryman returned to the Dingle peninsula and retired into obscurity.

This film documents the extraordinary life of Kathleen Lynn, the daughter of a Protestant Cannon in the West of Ireland. Growing up in the aftermath of the great famine she was deeply affected by the abject poverty and disease that continued to ravage the lives of the local people. She was only sixteen years old when she made the decision to be a doctor. The film is based on Kathleen’s diaries that start in 1916 when she was arrested after commanding a unit of James Connolly’s Citizen Army who attempted to take over City Hall. The diaries tell a story of how this privileged daughter of a West of Ireland Protestant Bishop became a rebel in 1916 and then spent the rest of her life devoted to the first infants hospital in Ireland, Saint Ultans. The part of Kathleen Lynn is played by the great Irish actress Ingrid Craigie.

In episode one, Crisis: Inside the Cowen Government looks at the biggest decision that Brian Cowen's government took, the Bank Guarantee of September 2008. It appears that cabinet members believe there should have been a full and frank discussion on that fateful night. As the government under Brian Cowen continued through 2008 and into 2009 there were those within the party who thought a general election might be the strategy to take. Brian Cowen did not take this advice and the government grew more and more unpopular. The first episode also explains how Fianna Fáil, under Bertie Ahern, perfected its political model by turning economic success into political gain.

Episode two of Crisis - Inside the Cowen Government begins in September 2010 as Fianna Fáil gather in Galway for their annual Think-In. Morning Ireland presenter Cathal MacCoille speaks for the first time about his infamous interview with Brian Cowen. He shares his thoughts on how Brian Cowen performed in that interview and what he thought of his demeanour. Alan Ahearne, Brian Lenihan's special adviser, reveals for the first time details about Department of Finance negotiations the weekend that senior FF minsters were denying a bailout. He describes how Brian Lenihan wanted the bailout to proceed. As the party moved towards Christmas the question of leadership was on everybody's minds. As 2011 dawned Brian Cowen decided it was time to silence his critics and called a vote of confidence in his leadership. Now for the first time members of the parliamentary party disclose the conversations they had with Brian Cowen. Victory in the vote of confidence led to Brian Cowen attempting to reshuffle his cabinet. This move was seen by many as unnecessary and was not supported by the coalition partner, The Green Party. Without the authority to change his cabinet, Brian Cowen resigned. It brought to an end of a political career that spanned over two decades. Crisis - Inside The Cowen Government assess Brian Cowen's tenure as Taoiseach, his legacy and asks can Fianna Fáil resurrect itself from its worst election result?