
Documentary on One Podcast
Multi award winning documentaries from Ireland and beyond telling real life stories. With over 1,800 documentaries on offer, RTÉ Documentary On One has the largest archive of documentaries available in the world, from 1954, to today.
RTÉ · radio
Show overview
Documentary on One Podcast has been publishing since 1974, and across the 52 years since has built a catalogue of 1,952 episodes. That works out to over 1200 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 2023rd season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 38 min and 43 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-IE-language Society & Culture show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 5 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2009, with 877 episodes published. Published by radio.
From the publisher
Multi award winning documentaries from Ireland and beyond telling real life stories. With over 1,800 documentaries on offer, the Documentary On One Podcast has the largest archive of documentaries available in the world, dating as far back as 1954, right up to the present day. Winner of over 400 national and international awards. Producer of podcast series 'Where is Jón?', ‘The Real Carrie Jade’, 'Runaway Joe', 'Finding Samantha', 'Tiger Roll', 'GunPlot' and 'The Nobody Zone'. Immerse yourself in a world of sound, story and character.
Latest Episodes
View all 1,952 episodesPirate Predator: 01 - The Electrician
Pirate Predator: Trailer

Jamaica Daly
Meg Daly uncovers her family’s hidden history of slavery in Jamaica. In this programme, we hear from local Jamaicans who helped Meg in her search for her ancestry and their family connections with slavery. Meg and her family also speak of the profound shame they now feel over the behaviour of their ancestors. (2026) Produced by Chris Nikkel and Ciarán O’Neill with Tim Desmond, Ronan Kelly and the Documentary On One team. Diary reader: Patrick Dunne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland's Fit-up Family
Stories from an Irish entertainment family which travelled the roads of the country over several decades. Stories like the man who died on stage; the man who refused to die on stage and the lack of virgins in Glenties! (2025)Narrated by Kevin SullivanProduced by Ronan KellyAgnes’ book: "The End of the Strolling Players"First broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, 2PM, Monday 27th October 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Longest Game
In 1986, a Limerick man called Terry Madigan came up with a plan to raise money for his local GAA club and community that everyone thought was crazy. Terry wanted to create a world record for the longest game of GAA football ever to be played. It would be 60 hours of football - non-stop on a full-sized pitch over a whole weekend. If this was going to work, it would need 14 brave men and the whole parish of Kilcornan to get involved. This is the story of that record attempt - the highs; the lows; the hallucinations - all set against the backdrop of a community of people bonded by the love of their parish and GAA. Narrated by Shauna McGreevy. Produced by Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer (2026)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Acres: 04 - List of Demands
EFour-part mockumentary: Episode 4.It’s Christmastime at 30 Acres and Glenn, Iseult and Holly are hiding out in Glenn’s bomb shelter with their hostage, Sean Granite. Alistair Crowe plans to strike a deal with Holly, sidelining the others, so that he can advance his plan to sell the 30 Acres estate. If he can secure the release of Sean Granite, his government contacts will support him to establish a prison on the site. However this will depend on Sean - and Sean is a much changed man after his period of captivity at the hands of the 30 Acres Says No campaign.CastBarbara Bergin, (Iseult)Shane Casey (Glenn)John Colleary (Sean)Philippa Dunne (Pat)Barry Murphy (Alistair)Stefanie Preissner (Holly)Colm Tobin (Colm)Aidan O'Donovan (TV Presenter/Priest)Produced by Kevin Brew for Drama On One with Kevin Reynolds and Gorretti Slavin. Produced by Liam O'Brien for Documentary On One with Tim Desmond, Ronan Kelly, Nicoline Greer and Shauna McGreevy. Sound Design by Damian Chennells. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design by Niamh McKeown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Acres: 03 - The Prisoner
EFour-part mockumentary: Episode 3.The developer of 30 Acres, Sean Granite, was once a titan of the construction industry. Now he’s a prisoner in Glenn’s jeep as it hurtles across the mangled roadways of the estate. The kidnapping wasn’t planned, and Holly, Iseult and Glenn have to figure out what to do next. Their 30 Acres Says No manifesto, issued in response to the repossession order on their homes, has gone viral.RTÉ’s Prime Time are planning a live broadcast from Holly’s home. Pat Granite launches a search operation for her missing husband, unaware that some of those participating know exactly where Sean is. Alistair Crowe offers advice to Pat, as he attempts to assert an interest in the Granite Empire. Glenn’s DIY approach to medical treatment brings unforeseen side-effects, as does the appearance of a clearly drunk Iseult on live television.CastBarbara Bergin, (Iseult)Shane Casey (Glenn)John Colleary (Sean)Philippa Dunne (Pat)Barry Murphy (Alistair)Stefanie Preissner (Holly)Colm Tobin (Colm)Aidan O'Donovan (TV Presenter/Priest)Produced by Kevin Brew for Drama On One with Kevin Reynolds and Gorretti Slavin. Produced by Liam O'Brien for Documentary On One with Tim Desmond, Ronan Kelly, Nicoline Greer and Shauna McGreevy. Sound Design by Damian Chennells. This episode also featured the RTÉ Concert Orchestra with Director/Leader Mia Cooper. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design by Niamh McKeown. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Acres: 02 - The Hunt for Sean Granite
EFour-part mockumentary: Episode 2.Holly, Glenn and Iseult have received repossession letters. Soon all three will be evicted from their homes. But they’re not giving up without a fight. They cobble together a manifesto for their new campaign - 30 Acres Says No. Their first meeting is in Glenn’s survivalist-themed man-shed, complete with a stash of iodine tablets and a hoard of 1916 memorabilia and weapons. Holly searches for her uncle, Sean Granite, the developer of 30 Acres, in the hopes of reversing the repossession order. Then Holly learns that her uncle fudged the paperwork related to the purchase of her home. It would be probably better for everyone if she left Glenn’s antique revolver where it belonged, but she hasn’t.CastBarbara Bergin, (Iseult)Shane Casey (Glenn)John Colleary (Sean)Philippa Dunne (Pat)Barry Murphy (Alistair)Stefanie Preissner (Holly)Colm Tobin (Colm)Aidan O'Donovan (TV Presenter/Priest)Produced by Kevin Brew for Drama On One with Kevin Reynolds and Gorretti Slavin. Produced by Liam O'Brien for Documentary On One with Tim Desmond, Ronan Kelly, Nicoline Greer and Shauna McGreevy. Sound Design by Damian Chennells. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design by Niamh McKeown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Acres: 01 - 30 Acres Says No
EFour-part mockumentary: Episode 1.December 2009. Colm is an investigative reporter for RTÉ, assigned to the story of an enormous ghost estate called 30 Acres. Only three inhabitants remain on this barren wasteland; Holly, Glenn and Iseult. Holly is an entrepreneur intent on re-launching her salon as an alternative tourist venture - the world’s first ghost estate tour. Glenn loves the freedom of life on the vacant estate, hunting otters in the moonlight. Iseult has finally found the seclusion she craves. But the developer of this unfinished housing project, Sean Granite, is bankrupt. A government-appointed liquidator, Alistair Crowe, is on the scene, with dastardly plans to evict Holly, Glenn and Iseult. It seems like their days on the 30 Acres estate are numbered. Or are they?CastBarbara Bergin, (Iseult)Shane Casey (Glenn)John Colleary (Sean)Philippa Dunne (Pat)Barry Murphy (Alistair)Stefanie Preissner (Holly)Colm Tobin (Colm)Aidan O'Donovan (TV Presenter/Priest)Produced by Kevin Brew for Drama On One with Kevin Reynolds and Gorretti Slavin. Produced by Liam O'Brien for Documentary On One with Tim Desmond, Ronan Kelly, Nicoline Greer and Shauna McGreevy. Sound Design by Damian Chennells. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley and Áine McManus. Design by Niamh McKeown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: Bonus - Behind the Scenes
As a combined project of a podcast series and TV documentary, First Conviction was over 15 months in production. In this bonus episode - and in a first for RTÉ - we give an insight into how the entire production was made through all of those involved. Hosted by Aoife Hegarty (Deputy Editor, RTÉ Investigates), we hear from Tim Desmond (Producer, RTÉ Documentary On One), Philip Gallagher (Director, RTÉ Investigates), Pamela Fraher (Reporter, RTÉ Investigates), David Doran (Editor, RTÉ Investigates) and Liam O’Brien (Series Producer, RTÉ Documentary On One). We also hear from our host Ruth Negga and composer Mel Mercier.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: 06 - Limbo
EHaving spent two years in jail, Sayeed and Halawa are relieved when the Court of Appeal make a ruling on their case. As they return home to their children, they hope life might begin to return to normal - but nothing about their lives is now normal. The DPP continues to pursue this case. A second trial takes place, before a third is scheduled - until the moment they’ve waited so long for, arrives - and everyone finally starts to believe them… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconvictionCredits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: Update
EJust a quick message to say we’re pausing the release of the concluding episode of this series until this day next week - Wednesday November 12th, the same day on which our TV documentary from RTÉ Investigates airs on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.If you do have any knowledge or information on this story please contact us immediately and in confidence by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] or you can leave an anonymous tip on our website www.rte.ie/firstconvictionCredits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: 05 - 750 days
Having been found guilty and sentenced to 5 years in prison, Sayeed and Halawa are taken to separate jails in Ireland to serve out their sentences. Deprived of their freedom, and with their children now placed in the care of relatives, life in prison is hard beyond belief. But they cannot give up hope - and from inside their prison cells, they begin to fight back to get justice… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconvictionCredits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: 04 - Verdict
ESayeed 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 this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconvictionCredits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: 03 - Trial One
EHaving 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 knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconvictionCredits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Readings are by Dawn Bradfield, Razib Chatterjee, Patrick Dunne, Gerry Gill and Louise Lewis. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: 02 - Waiting & Hoping
EIt’s only after four days in hospital that Sayeed and Halawa begin to understand they’re in real difficulty. No one appears to believe them. Within a week of arriving to hospital with their injured daughter, they’re sitting in a police station, answering questions about what happened. It’s beginning to feel like the entire system is closing in around them… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via rte.ie/firstconviction-Credits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: 01 - The Incident
ESeptember 2016 is where this story begins. A young married couple are at home in Dublin on a Friday morning with their two young children. Having changed her nappy, their 21 month old daughter turns, runs and falls. Her cries startle her parents who go to comfort her. As they pick her up, they notice she’s bleeding. Panicked, they take her to hospital - where everything begins to spiral out of control… If you have any information or knowledge about this story please email us [email protected] or [email protected] or you can give us an anonymous tip via www.rte.ie/firstconvictionCredits: First Conviction is hosted by Ruth Negga. It's written and produced by Tim Desmond and Liam O’Brien working together with the RTÉ Investigates team of reporter Pam Fraher, producer Philip Gallagher, assistant editor Aoife Hegarty and Editor David Doran. Sound design by Ciarán Cullen. Sayeed’s words are given voice by Steve Hartland and Halawa’s by Esosa Ighodaro. Legal advice from Deirdre Ann Kelly & Eleanor Bleahene. Original music written by Mel Mercier & performed by Karl Nesbitt, Paul O’Donnell, Niwel Tsumbu, Clara Sanabras with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney. Orchestral String Arrangements by Áine Delaney. Music recording engineers, Donncha Moynihan and Ciarán Cullen. Studio voiceover recordings by Ronan Kelly. Production assistance from Shauna McGreevy and Nicoline Greer. Audio product support by Nigel Wheatley. Promo Producer, Fiona Savage. Marketing by Christopher Hayes and Maria Buckley. Design and creatives by Michael McKeon, Sean Malone, Scott Bryan, John Kilkenny and Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Laura Fitzgerald. Socials by James Hartigan & Kate Smyth. London recording engineer, Luke Nagy. Additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce. Publishing weekly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Conviction: Trailer
EAn investigation into the case of a couple imprisoned for a crime against their child - that never happened… Publishing weekly from October 8th 2025 - a new 6-part podcast series & TV doc (Nov 12th) from RTÉ Documentary On One and RTÉ Investigates. Previous series include Stolen Sister, Where is Jón?, The Real Carrie Jade, Runaway Joe, Finding Samantha, First Consignment, GunPlot, Tiger Roll and The Nobody Zone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stolen Sister: Bonus - Petition and Witness Accounts
EOver 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 with information to report it to any station in the Wexford/Wicklow Garda divisions. And the Plunkett family start a petition with an appeal for people to sign to keep the pressure on for a cold case review into the case of Elizabeth Plunkett.change.org/justiceforelizabethplunkett If you have any information or knowledge about the actions of John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans please email us [email protected]: Stolen Sister is written and produced by Nicoline Greer with production assistance from Shauna McGreevy. Roz Purcell is the host. Original music soundtrack performed and composed by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, together with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Sound design and orchestra recording by Ciarán Dunne. The executive producer is Liam O’Brien. Audio Product Support by Nigel Wheatley. Marketing by Maria Buckley and Christopher Hayes. Design and creatives by Darragh Treacy. Publicity by Sarah Neville. Sales by Graeme Bailey and additional online editorial content by Anna Joyce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.