Documentary on Newstalk

Take a festive journey through A History of Irish Panto, a light-hearted and informative unveiling of the story of pantomime in Ireland.
This two-part documentary series focuses on the seasonal theatrical extravaganzas, from their origins on the streets of Venice in the 1500s, to their first mention in an Irish newspaper in the 1731. From the productions that spread across the country in the 1800s, to the star-studded pantos that we know and love today. From the geamaireacht, the first Irish language pantos at the Abbey Theatre, to 150 years of the tradition at the Gaiety Theatre.
In the local parish halls of today, just as in the grand Victorian theatres of the past, the Irish panto has had people rolling in the aisles for centuries. With contributions from theatre historians, advocates and panto fans and performers, we recount the story of a much-loved artform: a story 500 years in the making.
A History of Irish Panto is presented by Amy O’Dwyer and Donncha O’Dea, the team who brought you the IMRO-nominated documentary Extraordinary Éire.
Episode 1 – Panto of the Past, It’s Behind You!
Episode 2 – Panto is the Future, Oh Yes It Is!
Both episodes will be available as a podcast on GoLoud and all major platforms.
Written, researched and presented by Donncha O’Dea.
Presented, produced and edited by Amy O’Dwyer.
Thanks to our special guests Sinead Burke, Conor Doyle, Choy-Ping Ní Chléirigh-Ng, Annie Ryan and Ian Walsh.
Voice Actors: Aisling Breen and Stephen O’Leary.
A History of Irish Panto is dedicated to the memory of Joe Cleere.
The programme is funded by the Coimisiún na Meán, with the Television Licence Fee.

A warning that sensitive topics and upsetting content are discussed in this documentary, including eating disorders, suicide and suicidal ideation.
It’s a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women. The fact is that an eating disorder can affect both men and women, boys and girls.
“Dying to Get Ripped” is a two-episode series by radio producer Orla Riordan for Newstalk that explores this issue. One that is becoming more prevalent amongst Irish men. This is episode one.
The documentary highlights the unique risk factors facing men, who may be suffering with an eating disorder such as over-exercising, over reliance on supplements and the use of steroids in the pursuit of the body beautiful. It will discuss the influence of social media in pushing products and a muscular ideal on young men as well as speaking to organisations who are working to reduce the stigma facing men with eating disorders.
The IRFU, Horseracing Ireland, and the Health Products Regulatory Authority all participate in the discussion surrounding policies in place for anyone suffering from an eating disorder or disordered eating.
We speak to bodybuilders, health professionals, and family members as well as International Rugby Referee Nigel Owens on their own personal experiences with mental health issues, bulimia and anorexia, body dysmorphia and steroid use.
This documentary offers an insight into the growing issue with eating disorders and body dysmorphia among young Irish men as well as highlighting ways to seek help and recover.
Irish men are putting their health, fertility and even their lives at risk in search of the perfect body.
If you have been affected by anything referenced in this documentary, you can contact the Bodywhys helpline on 01 210 7906 or the Samaritans on 116 123.

A warning that sensitive topics and upsetting content are discussed in this documentary, including eating disorders, suicide and suicidal ideation.
It’s a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women. The fact is that an eating disorder can affect both men and women, boys and girls.
“Dying to Get Ripped” is a two-episode series by radio producer Orla Riordan for Newstalk that explores this issue. One that is becoming more prevalent amongst Irish men. This is episode one.
The documentary highlights the unique risk factors facing men, who may be suffering with an eating disorder such as over-exercising, over reliance on supplements and the use of steroids in the pursuit of the body beautiful. It will discuss the influence of social media in pushing products and a muscular ideal on young men as well as speaking to organisations who are working to reduce the stigma facing men with eating disorders.
The IRFU, Horseracing Ireland, and the Health Products Regulatory Authority all participate in the discussion surrounding policies in place for anyone suffering from an eating disorder or disordered eating.
We speak to bodybuilders, health professionals, and family members as well as International Rugby Referee Nigel Owens on their own personal experiences with mental health issues, bulimia and anorexia, body dysmorphia and steroid use.
This documentary offers an insight into the growing issue with eating disorders and body dysmorphia among young Irish men as well as highlighting ways to seek help and recover.
Irish men are putting their health, fertility and even their lives at risk in search of the perfect body.
If you have been affected by anything referenced in this documentary, you can contact the Bodywhys helpline on 01 210 7906 or the Samaritans on 116 123.

On Documentary and Drama on Newstalk, reporter Josh Crosbie brings us ‘The Fragility of Peace: Tigray’s Forgotten War.’ This year’s IMRO-award-winning reporter travelled to the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia with Trócaire to examine the impact of conflict.
The Tigray war lasted from November 2020 to November 2022. It’s estimated that one million people have died since the war started and a further million people have been displaced from their homes. Many experts have described the war as the deadliest conflict of the 21st century.
Josh travelled to the area in November/December 2025 to bring us the latest update on how this war has affected communities and the economy, and met humanitarian workers who are trying to rebuild the lives of those impacted by the conflict and programme participants who are trying to survive in the aftermath of war.
We are brought inside IDP camps for displaced people, safe spaces for survivors of gender-based violence, trauma-informed schools, educational and employment facilities.

A warning that sensitive topics and upsetting content are discussed in this documentary, including eating disorders, suicide and suicidal ideation.
It’s a common misconception that eating disorders only affect women. The fact is that an eating disorder can affect both men and women, boys and girls.
“Dying to Get Ripped” is a two-episode series by radio producer Orla Riordan for Newstalk that explores this issue. One that is becoming more prevalent amongst Irish men. This is episode one.
The documentary highlights the unique risk factors facing men, who may be suffering with an eating disorder such as over-exercising, over reliance on supplements and the use of steroids in the pursuit of the body beautiful. It will discuss the influence of social media in pushing products and a muscular ideal on young men as well as speaking to organisations who are working to reduce the stigma facing men with eating disorders.
The IRFU, Horseracing Ireland, and the Health Products Regulatory Authority all participate in the discussion surrounding policies in place for anyone suffering from an eating disorder or disordered eating.
We speak to bodybuilders, health professionals, and family members as well as International Rugby Referee Nigel Owens on their own personal experiences with mental health issues, bulimia and anorexia, body dysmorphia and steroid use.
This documentary offers an insight into the growing issue with eating disorders and body dysmorphia among young Irish men as well as highlighting ways to seek help and recover.
Irish men are putting their health, fertility and even their lives at risk in search of the perfect body.
If you have been affected by anything referenced in this documentary, you can contact the Bodywhys helpline on 01 210 7906 or the Samaritans on 116 123.