1. Autism and Me
This documentary looks at a selection of Irish people who are affected by Autism in vastly different ways. One of the teenagers featured in the documentary, Fiacre Ryan is a nonverbal 16-year-old.
Although he cannot speak, he still communicates extremely articulately through dictation and writes poetry. Fiacre previously wrote an article about his experiences for TheJournal.ie:
Speech is the most wanted thing, yet no words form for me. Sounds try to escape; zealous thoughts try to break through the silent whispering of my world. Some thoughts rest there, and some thoughts escape in spellings on my letterboard.
2. The Du Plantier Case
If you listened to Irish crime podcast West Cork or spent months following the mysterious case of Sophie Du Plantier’s murder in West Cork, this documentary will be of interest to you.
It tells the story of one of Ireland’s most infamous murders, features interviews with not only Sophie’s heartbroken family, but with one of the main suspects in the case.
3. Jackie: A Tale of Two Sisters
A look at both Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – a figure of high fashion and tragedy, even decades after her death and time in the spotlight – and her younger sister Lee Radziwell (formerly known as Princess Caroline Lee Radziwill). This documentary examines how Lee and Jacqueline lived lives that were entwined through rivalry and resentment, love and loss.
4. Fade Street
The Kardashians could never. This is the perfect reality TV show to hate-watch, especially if you’re from Dublin. You’ll recognise every bar and restaurant and scream at the television when you see characters get into a taxi to go home, even though they live 5 seconds away and the one-way system on the streets in town could add 15 mins to their journey. You also get to see Vogue Williams’ humble beginnings as a model for Bavaria beer.
5. Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad
The powerful BAFTA-winning documentary following Rio Ferdinand’s journey as he mourns the loss of his wife while trying to help his three children cope with the massive bereavement.
6. Rural Addiction
A two-part documentary that casts light on the rampant malaise and harrowing impact of drug addiction in rural Ireland. Drug addiction is no longer ‘a Dublin problem’ – it’s a national crisis.
7. Donal Walsh – My Story: Reality Bites
Back in 2015, this documentary aired and gave in insight into how 16-year-old Donal Walsh from Tralee, Co. Kerry was making a big impact on the lives of others during his four-year-long battle with cancer.
Donal passed away in 2013, after touching the lives of many young people, campaigning for people to open up about their mental health problems and raising €50,000 for charity. He was described as an inspiration by those who offered their voices and stories to this documentary about his life.
8. The Story of Yes
This documentary was released a year after the marriage referendum, to revisit the hopes and fears held by Irish people in the weeks, months and years ahead of our referendum for marriage equality. It also looks at the celebrations that took place in the weeks following the ‘Yes’ vote.
9. The Rubberbandits’ Guide to Everything
A four-part comedy series in which Blindboy and Mr Chrome take on different subjects (sex, money, the internet and reality) and bring us their own unique take on it. Each subject is a jumping off point that allows them to spin off anywhere in the world to do anything. It’s easy to see how Blindboy’s podcast came about.
10. F**k Cancer: Reality Bites
An hour-long observational documentary following 2FM DJ and columnist Louise McSharry as she undergoes treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while preparing to marry her fiancée Gordon Spierin.
