Best RTE Documentary Podcasts (2025)

1
A Last Briquette and a Magic Mountain 35:51

Play Pause

1d ago35:51

35:51

Silver sparks, a bog for a pillow and the ‘deserts of the midlands’… A ‘Writing the Bog’ special programme, part 2, in collaboration with the Bog Bothy project by the Irish Architectural Foundation and 12th Field, with writers Adam Trodd, Anne Gately Mercier, Kevin McDermott, Marion McGarry, Isabella Chiadini and Alexander McMaster…

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First Conviction: 04 - Verdict 28:27

5d ago28:27

28:27

Sayeed and Halawa are facing two charges in court - an act of FGM against their daughter, and child cruelty. If found guilty, they face up to 14 years in prison. Despite all medical witnesses agreeing FGM did happen, as Sayeed takes the stand to give evidence, he is confident the truth will come out… If you have any information or knowledge about t…

1
First Conviction: 04 - Verdict 28:27

5d ago28:27

28:27

Sayeed and Halawa are facing two charges in court - an act of FGM against their daughter, and child cruelty. If found guilty, they face up to 14 years in prison. Despite all medical witnesses agreeing FGM did happen, as Sayeed takes the stand to give evidence, he is confident the truth will come out… If you have any information or knowledge about t…

1
The musician that is me - | The Lyric Feature 57:40

8d ago57:40

57:40

"Ahead of her celebratory concert with the NSO, this feature reflects on the career of US-born composer Jane O'Leary, who has made an immeasurable contribution to contemporary Irish classical music since moving to Ireland in 1972."By RTÉ lyric fm

1
A Stolen Tulip and a Hare’s Eyes 37:54

8d ago37:54

37:54

Creative discoveries from reading to singing to dancing to painting - a live selection from Waterford Writers’ Weekend and the Red Line Book Festival with Frankie Gaffney, the late Eileen Battersby, John Connell, Catherine Foley, AM Cousins, Rosaleen McDonagh, Kathleen Murphy, Donal Clancy, the Far Flung Trio and more…

1
First Conviction: 03 - Trial One 26:51

13d ago26:51

26:51

Having had their children under supervision and monitored by authorities for three years, and having had to sign on bail twice weekly during that time, Sayeed and Halawa finally face trial, the first of its kind in Ireland. They continue to say the crime never happened and hope that finally, someone will listen… If you have any information or knowl…

1
First Conviction: 03 - Trial One 26:51

12d ago26:51

26:51

Having had their children under supervision and monitored by authorities for three years, and having had to sign on bail twice weekly during that time, Sayeed and Halawa finally face trial, the first of its kind in Ireland. They continue to say the crime never happened and hope that finally, someone will listen… If you have any information or knowl…

1
Connie Gets a Rewrite | The Lyric Feature 55:15

15d ago55:15

55:15

Constance "Connie" Smith was born in 1929 on Limerick's Wolfe Tone Street and would later become a star who burned brightly, but all too briefly, during the golden age of Hollywood cinema.By RTÉ lyric fm

1
Architecture, Home and the City 39:09

15d ago39:09

39:09

How do the places we build shape our lives? A programme marking Open House Dublin Festival of Architecture, with Éimear Arthur, Cormac Murray, Emmett Scanlon, Kevin Marinan, Graham Hickey, Julie Cruickshank and FELISPEAKS. Supported by the Irish Architecture FoundationBy RTÉ Radio 1

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First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping 28:30

19d ago28:30

28:30

By RTÉ Documentary on One

1
First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping 28:30

20d ago28:30

28:30

By RTÉ

1
First Conviction: 01 - The Incident 28:32

20d ago28:32

28:32

By RTÉ Documentary on One

1
First Conviction: 01 - The Incident 28:32

20d ago28:32

28:32

By RTÉ

1
A New series begins with 'A corner of the Burren' 54:38

22d ago54:38

54:38

By RTÉ lyric fm

1
Ringing Bells and Magic Nights 35:22

22d ago35:22

35:22

Saluting some treasures of our culture, language and landscape; remembering Brian Friel on his tenth anniversary, and a poem for the late, much-missed Manchán Magan with Dominic Dromgoole, Adam Trodd, Bernadett Buda, Aoife Barry, David Grant and Noelle LynskeyBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Both Sides Now 33:18

29d ago33:18

33:18

Homecomings and departures, a friend for all seasons and tributes to Derek Mahon, Michael Hartnett and more, with Donal Hayes, Grace Wells, Joe Whelan, Mary O’Donnell, Mike MacDomhnaill, Beth Kilkenny and Mary O’MalleyBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
First Conviction: Trailer 4:10

1M ago4:10

4:10

By RTÉ Documentary on One

1
First Conviction: Trailer 4:10

1M ago4:10

4:10

By RTÉ

1
Strange Days and Seasonal Moods 37:28

1M ago37:28

37:28

September rituals and youthful rites of passage, with Paul Muldoon, Carol Taaffe, Conall Hamill, Georg Grote, Antonia Hart and Frank ShouldiceBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Sun and stardust, Irish words for rain and a gift from Edna O’Brien 34:47

1M ago34:47

34:47

A re-broadcast of a special Culture Night Miscellany, hosted by President Higgins and Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin in 2024, with Manchán Magan, Tim Carey, Mia Döring, Rita Ann Higgins, Donal Ryan and President Michael D HigginsBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Writing the Bog, Part 1 37:13

2M ago37:13

37:13

Stories of the Irish boglands, past, present and imagined future, in collaboration with the Irish Architecture Foundation's Bog Bothy project, with Margaret Hickey, Niamh Donnellan, Karen McHugh, Anthony Baggott, Emmett Scanlon and Claire CotterBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Back-to-school blues, Thackeray’s Irish tour, and Dev’s favourite transport 36:03

2M ago36:03

36:03

Ireland’s State Coach, the bittersweet first day of school, Thackeray’s travels in Ireland and young boys robbing orchards, with Jonathan White, Zoë Devlin, Enda Wyley, Lourdes Mackey, John MacKenna, Grace Wells and Tom ConatyBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Exam Jitters and Curtain Raisers 32:50

2M ago32:50

32:50

Leaving result anxiety, fox cubs by moonlight and meeting Mícheál MacLiammóir -- and a new poem from Paul Muldoon. With Denise Blake, Emma Prunty, Kathy Donaghy, Denis Tuohy, John MacKenna and Paul MuldoonBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Angels, Animals and Daughters of Memory 40:37

2M ago40:37

40:37

From the shores of West Kerry to Dublin city’s Georgian squares, to a Traveller man’s campfire – a special programme on Ireland’s treasure trove of shared heritage, marking National Heritage Week, with Eimear Ryan, Theo Dorgan, Colin Regan, Kathleen James-Chakraborty, Oein DeBharduin and Paula Meehan…

1
Oasis, Owls and a Wildean Whodunnit 36:14

3M ago36:14

36:14

Marmalade sandwiches and illicit pints of Guinness, and the human tremors and reverberations of history from the Baltic Way to the atrocity of the atom bomb. With David Coughlan, Maeve Edwards, Joe Taylor, Denise Blake, Conor Hanratty and Mary O’DonnellBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Night Owls and Guardian Angels 36:40

3M ago36:40

36:40

Fairytales and boarding school blues, travelling light and a treasured sewing machine: a Miscellany archive dip with Michael Harding, Eugene McEldowney, Vona Groarke, the late Peter Jankowsky, Geraldine Mitchell, Kieran Fagan and the late Mary Russell, who died recentlyBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Dreaming in Green and Gold 33:59

3M ago33:59

33:59

All-Ireland football hopes from Kenmare to Killybegs, Leonard Cohen’s magical Lissadell concert, and more, with John Toal, Regina Devenney, John S Doyle, Tony Griffin, Noel King, Denise Blake and John CooneyBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Summer Cabin Sessions with Wifeswap 15:08

3M ago15:08

15:08

Send us a text Summer Cabin Sessions with great young live band who met in BIMM Music College, Dublin. Members hail from all over the country, including Tullamore. Influences range from The Velvet Underground to Johnny Marr. For Wifeswap, it's all about friendship and playing live.By Ann Marie Kelly

1
Music, Romanticism & the Sublime- | The Lyric Feature 56:53

3M ago56:53

56:53

Part 3 - The romantic imagination - Michael Lee explores the rich imaginative idealism that informed so much music in the Romantic Era.By RTÉ lyric fm

1
Hurling, Hitch-hiking and a Baby Elephant 34:46

3M ago34:46

34:46

Thumbing a lift, taming a feral cat, the story behind how Babs Keating became Tipperary’s “barefoot wonder” and a father’s love for Cork’s Na Piarsaigh, with Doireann Ní Bhriain, Joe Whelan, Cormac Murray, Theo Dorgan, Lani O’Hanlon and John AllenBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Stolen Sister: Bonus - Petition and Witness Accounts 37:30

3M ago37:30

37:30

Over the last seven weeks we have heard from many people who have had interactions with John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Up to twenty people have provided us with accounts of attempted abductions, sightings and various interactions with Shaw and Evans. In this episode, we bring you these accounts in full. An Garda Síochána have now appealed to anybody…

1
Stolen Sister: Bonus - Petition and Witness Accounts 37:30

3M ago37:30

37:30

Over the last seven weeks we have heard from many people who have had interactions with John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Up to twenty people have provided us with accounts of attempted abductions, sightings and various interactions with Shaw and Evans. In this episode, we bring you these accounts in full. An Garda Síochána have now appealed to anybody…

1
Music, Romanticism & the Sublime- | The Lyric Feature 57:23

4M ago57:23

57:23

Part 2 - Virtuosity and Poetry In this three-part series, Michael Lee explores the rich imaginative idealism that informed so much music in the Romantic Era.By RTÉ lyric fm

1
Live Aid and Limpets 36:48

4M ago36:48

36:48

Hazy summer days from West Kerry to Beirut, and saluting the pioneering Yeats sisters, with Michael Hilliard Mulcahy, Eunan McKinney, Mae Leonard, Alexander McMaster, Angela Keogh, Mariam Tell and Vincent WoodsBy RTÉ Radio 1

1
Stolen Sister: 07 - A Chance for Justice 31:22

4M ago31:22

31:22

As this series has been publishing, we’ve been contacted by many listeners, including about a dozen contacts from people who are new witnesses to events around Ireland in September 1976 - and who it appears could have been potential victims of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Even after all these years, new information is still out there on Elizabeth’…

1
Stolen Sister: 07 - A Chance for Justice 31:22

4M ago31:22

31:22

As this series has been publishing, we’ve been contacted by many listeners, including about a dozen contacts from people who are new witnesses to events around Ireland in September 1976 - and who it appears could have been potential victims of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. Even after all these years, new information is still out there on Elizabeth’…

1
| The Lyric Feature Romanticism & the Sublime 56:42

4M ago56:42

56:42

In this three-part series, Michael Lee explores the rich imaginative idealism that informed so much music in the Romantic Era. Part 1 - The SublimeBy RTÉ lyric fm

1
A New York State of Mind 33:54

4M ago33:54

33:54

Coat checks and cityscapes in New York City; preparing for a family wedding; and reflections on wearing wigs. With Gary Coyle, Neil Hegarty, Cathy Power, John Tuomey, Julie Feeny and Lauren GreenBy RTÉ Radio 1

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Stolen Sister: 06 - Irrelevant Victims 26:27

4M ago26:27

26:27

Having lived over 40 years with the loss of Elizabeth, the Plunkett family are taken aback when in 2023, they’re approached by the Parole Board. John Shaw is looking to get out of prison. Elizabeth’s family are invited to submit their views on his potential release. Can they stop him from getting freedom? This process unlocks a series of events whe…

1
Stolen Sister: 06 - Irrelevant Victims 26:27

4M ago26:27

26:27

Having lived over 40 years with the loss of Elizabeth, the Plunkett family are taken aback when in 2023, they’re approached by the Parole Board. John Shaw is looking to get out of prison. Elizabeth’s family are invited to submit their views on his potential release. Can they stop him from getting freedom? This process unlocks a series of events whe…

1
Recalling the layers | The Lyric Feature 46:28

4M ago46:28

46:28

Patricia Baker goes in search of the hidden history of a place behind a locked door in Dublin 8.By RTÉ lyric fm

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Ways of Seeing, Notions of Home 33:44

4M ago33:44

33:44

How we see ourselves, and others, and what constitutes home; a selection from the Belfast Books Festival in 2023 and 2004 with Wendy Erskine, John Toal, Neil Hegarty, Marie Howe and Paul McVeighBy RTÉ Radio 1