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; men and women imbued with a sense of adventure, who lived in dangerous and exciting times. But how many know the amazing story of their friend and contemporary, Captain Jack Crawford? Or that he was born and reared in Carndonagh, Co Donegal, and that he shaped much of what we know of today as the ‘Wild West’? Captain Jack (known as "The Poet Scout"), was a master storyteller about the Wild West and was one of the most popular performers of the late nineteenth century. Our documentary tells the amazing story of a penniless and illiterate teenager who fled famine and poverty in Ireland to achieve fame, fortune and adventure in the US.” “Captain Jack Crawford: The Poet Scout" was produced by Jim Doherty and was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound and Vision Scheme

Newstalk Documentaries

Captain Jack Crawford: The Poet Scout

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 capture the impact that Margaret had which was quite a wide impact.’ said Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland. ‘It was as an historian, as a feminist, long before people were calling themselves a feminist, as an educator, as a Dominican nun, and as a women with such warmth and kindness and humour, that she made everyone, male and female, love her for herself and what she gave of herself. The Troublesome Nun is part of a forthcoming series of three documentaries, each one charting the life and work of one extraordinary woman who broke the ground for the next generation of women. These older women did not just witness a changing Ireland; they were the change makers themselves. The Troublesome Nun is a Curious Broadcast production funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee, produced and narrated by Patricia Baker. Final mix Gerry Horan Contact Studio. Original Music score Gerry Horan.  

The Troublesome Nun

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 Gerry Ferguson. Original artwork by Órfhlaith Foyle. Original artwork by Órfhlaith Foyle.

Drama - May's End

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 supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme.

Last Hour - The Story of 911's First Victim

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.

Irish Lives on 9/11: a 20th Anniversary Newstalk Special

 ‘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 run on the fingertips of snap judgements and mob rule, can anyone really be saved? Bleak and comic in equal measures, Two Thieves holds a lens up to the things we think we know about the people we’ve never met. The drama features Mary Murray, Matthew Malone, Michael James Ford and Margaret McCauliffe with original music composed by Justin McCann. Two Thieves was written and directed by Hugh Hick, and produced by Heather MacLeod.  The programme was made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee. 

Two Thieves - Drama on Newstalk

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 Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016. Through incredible personal stories, the massive impact sport can have on women’s lives is gently revealed. At just 21, swimmer Ellen Keane was about to compete in her third Paralympic Games. Ellen, who was born without her left forearm, went on to win a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016 and has recently won god at Tokyo 2020. For Deirdre Mongan who was 38, the 2016 Paralympics was her first time to compete at the Paralympics. Galway woman, Deirdre, was paralysed in a farming accident at the age of 14. She has never let her disability compromise her life, as well as being a world class athlete, she has a full-time job, and is mum to Amy, age 2. With exclusive access to the women and their families, this documentary is not just about elite athletes, it’s about daughters, mothers and wives who strive to fulfill their potential in both their everyday lives as well as in their sporting careers. CREDITS: ‘Personal Best – The Story Behind Irish Women in Paralympic Sport’ was produced and narrated by Susan Dennehy. The programme was made with the support of the BAI, Sound and Vision Grant.

Personal Best – The Story Behind Irish Women in Paralympic Sport

"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, Michelle lay unconscious as her family including her husband Jer and son Conor watched on as she clung to life. In that moment the game ceased to be, the roar of the crowd faded as the seriousness of the situation became evident. Both sets of players who had fought against each other over the previous 40 minutes now fought together – for Michelle's life. Tournafulla’s Sarah Jane Joy had been marking Michelle when she collapsed. As fate would have it Sarah Jane is a nurse and her training took over immediately. Acting on instinct she began compressions. As players, mentors and supporters from both parishes watched on, Sarah Jane along with the help of other teammates battled to save Michelle's life. “Full of Heart” was produced by Connie Broderick and Joe McGill and was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme.

Full of Heart

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 Mary Brophy, written and produced by Neal Boyle, and was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, with the television license fee.

The Farmers Who Went Wild - Episode Two

The Farmers Who Went Wild - Episode One

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 past. Evil Literature and Censorship is presented and produced by award winning producer Regan Hutchins who is joined by Declan Kiberd, Aoife Bhreatnach, Jana Fischerova, Julia Carlson, Andrea Nagle, Noelle Dowling, James Kelly and Pól Ó Duibhir Evil Literature and Censorship is funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland under the Sound & Vision Scheme.  

Evil Literature and Censorship

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 Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme.

Dynasty; The Greatest Ladies Teams Of All Time - Episode 2

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 Scheme.

Dynasty; The Greatest Ladies Teams Of All Time - Episode 1

Newstalk 106-108 FM features many documentaries from the plight of the Malawi people to video documentaries on Aurora Borealis.

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Newstalk Documentaries

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