In October, 2013, a four year old blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl named Maria was discovered peeping out from underneath a blanket on a Roma camp in Greece. Her discovery would prompt a wave of near hysteria around the globe. Within days, two Irish children with similar features would be taken from their Roma parents here in Ireland. Since first broadcast, Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes has won a Silver Award at the 2019 New York Festivals Radio awards and shortlisted in the top five at the Justice Media Awards. Narrated by Donal O'Herlihy. Produced by Donal O'Herlihy and Liam O'Brien. First broadcast in 2018. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3/24/2023
45:42
The Sinking of The Saint Patrick
Shane Dunphy goes in search of the truth behind one of Ireland's worst maritime disasters. The Saint Patrick, a Rosslare to Fishguard passenger ferry, was bombed and sunk by the Luftwaffe on 13th of June 1941, resulting in the deaths of 30 people. What puzzled Shane was why: the ship was not a military vessel, and Ireland as a neutral country was not at war. Yet the St Patrick was targeted not once but twice – the year before it was sunk a German plane had opened fire on the ship. (First Broadcast 2012) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3/17/2023
32:46
The Man Who Played Offside
Patrick O’Connell was a superstar and a cheat. He was a superstar of soccer in Ireland, Britain and Spain and cheated on his family. He married two women with the same name and same appearance.Patrick, or Paddy O'Connell, played for Ireland in the early days of the national game; he led the country to its first Home Championships title in 1914. He was tall, broad-shouldered, good-looking and robust: he played the final game against Scotland with a broken arm. Narrated by Flor MacCarthy and Richard Fitzpatrick.Additional recording by Fergal McGuire and Colm O'Connor. Produced by Richard Fitzpatrick with Ronan Kelly. (2015) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3/10/2023
40:05
From Baltimore to Barbary - The Village That Disappeared
Sometimes history throws up stories that are more dramatic than any fiction. And this is one such story. Taking us on a dramatic journey from the south west coast of Ireland to the souks and harems of North Africa's Barbary Coast, it begins on a summer's morning in 1631, when a pirate ship sailed into Roaring Water Bay in West Cork and raided the quiet coastal village of Baltimore. A crew of ruthless slave traders roused the villagers from their beds, slaughtered anyone who resisted, and herded 107 people into the hold of their waiting ship. (First broadcast 2010) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3/3/2023
39:56
The Orphans That Never Were
On February 23rd 1943, a fire in St Joseph's industrial school in Cavan Town, an orphanage run by an enclosed order nuns caught fire. 35 orphans and one elderly woman died that night. After the fire, attention turned to the role played by the Poor Clares, the order of nuns who ran the orphanage, and the local fire service and what could have been done differently... (First published 2013) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.