RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild As a radio producer Derek Mooney has won many national and international awards. Prix Europa; ESB Environmental Award and PPI Award to name but a few. As a radio producer Derek Mooney has won many national and international awards. Prix Europa; ESB Environmental Award and PPI Award to name but a few. Each feature and documentary is a unique collaboration between Derek and the expert presenters which creates a vivid word picture for the listener. As Derek says “there’s no visual distraction on Radio. You’ve got to get the right people to tell the stories and the stories have to be interesting”. Derek has produced a wide range of documentaries and features covering such diverse subjects as the Swedish botanist Karl Linnaeus, The story of KEIKO the killer whale, star of the movie FREE WILLY and 50 years of the Eurovision Song Contest. . en-ie RTÉ 2011 RTÉ podcasting@rte.ie Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:42:03 +0000 http://www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/images/mgw_docs_144.jpg http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild 144 144 Education no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-13051134m28smooneydocswansong-pid0-2068296.mp3 Dick Warner travels to west Kerry, one of the last habitats of the natterjack toad - He soon discovers that the toads are in a battle for survival - Is it too late? (Broadcast 1990) Dick Warner travels to west Kerry, one of the last habitats of the natterjack toad - He soon discovers that the toads are in a battle for survival - Is it too late? (Broadcast 1990) 0:34:28 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-13051134m28smooneydocswansong-pid0-2068296.mp3 Fri, 13 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-13051145m15smooneydocbrentgeese-pid0-2715120.mp3 A documentary about the incredible journey made by the Brent Geese from Canada to Ireland. A documentary about the incredible journey made by the Brent Geese from Canada to Ireland. 0:45:15 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-13051145m15smooneydocbrentgeese-pid0-2715120.mp3 Fri, 13 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-13051140m20smooneydocspecial-pid0-2420856.mp3 The fourth documentary on the Special Olympics in Ireland. The fourth documentary on the Special Olympics in Ireland. 0:40:20 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-13051140m20smooneydocspecial-pid0-2420856.mp3 Fri, 13 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-11041142m29smooneydocspecial3-pid0-2549496.mp3 The third documentary on the special olympics. Presented by Aonghus McAnally The third documentary on the special olympics. Presented by Aonghus McAnally 0:42:29 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-11041142m29smooneydocspecial3-pid0-2549496.mp3 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-06041142m30smooneydoceuroguru-pid0-2550816.mp3 Produced and presented by Derek Mooney Produced and presented by Derek Mooney 0:42:30 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-06041142m30smooneydoceuroguru-pid0-2550816.mp3 Wed, 6 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-06041142m19smooneydocspecialolympics1-pid0-2539752.mp3 The first documentary on the Special Olympics produced by Derek Mooney The first documentary on the Special Olympics produced by Derek Mooney 0:42:19 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-06041142m19smooneydocspecialolympics1-pid0-2539752.mp3 Wed, 6 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-06041142m20smooneydocspecial2-pid0-2540616.mp3 The second documentary on the Special Olympic's produced by Derek Mooney The second documentary on the Special Olympic's produced by Derek Mooney 0:42:20 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-06041142m20smooneydocspecial2-pid0-2540616.mp3 Wed, 6 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-15031142m13smooneydocaligator-pid0-2533128.mp3 Presented and produced by Derek Mooney Presented and produced by Derek Mooney 0:42:13 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-15031142m13smooneydocaligator-pid0-2533128.mp3 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-10021142m04smooneydoceagle-pid0-2524560.mp3 Thursday August 9th 2001 was a historic day for nature conservation in Ireland, when six Golden Eagle chicks were released to the wild at Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal. Presented by Dr. Richard Collins Produced by Derek Mooney Thursday August 9th 2001 was a historic day for nature conservation in Ireland, when six Golden Eagle chicks were released to the wild at Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal. Presented by Dr. Richard Collins Produced by Derek Mooney Thursday August 9th was a historic day for nature conservation in Ireland, when six Golden Eagle chicks were released to the wild at Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal. The eagles had been flown from Aberdeen to Carrickfin Airport, Donegal in a chartered plane on June 27th, courtesy of Enterprise Oil and then taken by road to Glenveagh. These are the first birds to be imported from Scotland, in the Irish Raptor Study Group's bid to re-introduce the Golden Eagle to Ireland almost a century after it had been rendered extinct. The eagles were met at their new home in Glenveagh by Dúchas Minister Síle de Valera. The media turned out in force, with four TV crews, a battalion of press photographers and a host of well-wishers from all over the county. Dr. Richard Collins, of Mooney Goes Wild, joined the Golden Eagle re-introduction team, when they collected some of the young eagles from Scottish eyries. John Marsh and Lorcan O'Toole of the Irish Raptor Study Group were licensed to take up to 15 young birds to Ireland this year. Over the next five years, about 75 chicks will be brought to Ireland. The eyries which provided the chicks were located earlier in the season by Scottish volunteers and eagle experts. The 2001 season was a very bad one for Golden Eagles in Scotland and the numbers breeding successfully were low. A bird can be taken only from eyries in which there are two surviving chicks. Eagles usually lay two eggs. The eggs are laid three or four days apart and incubation begins with the first one. The first chick, therefore, has a head start on the younger sibling. The older chick persecutes the younger one and, in 80% of cases, kills it. This is known as the Cain and Able Syndrome. It means that about one in five eyries will fledge two chicks. With so few nests this year, the team had to travel the length and breadth of the highlands to obtain birds. Although based at Inverness on the east coast, there have been visits to Wester Ross, other west coast locations and the Central Highlands. The most remote location, which provided a chick, was the Isle of Skye. The long daylight length of late June helped the capture programme. This is particularly pronounced in the north of Scotland. There is even some light at midnight, allowing the team to stay well up on the mountains until after ten at night. Eagles nest on cliffs and usually in the most inaccessible places. To do this work, Lorcan had to undergo training in rock climbing. He usually headed for the top of the cliff, roped up and absailed down to the nest. Most of the chicks, however, were easy to handle. They 'reared up' a little in defence but did not get too distressed. Each selected chick was put into a hold-all bag and hauled to the summit on a rope. Lorcan ringed the remaining chick at each eyrie before leaving. The six young eagles were taken to a holding centre at Inverness. There the birds were given plenty of fresh rabbit to eat. The centre is in a quiet rural (and secret) location where disturbance is minimal. At this age, baby eagles do not quarrel. Nor are they brooded at night by their parents, so sitting around in the centre waiting for their next meal is just what they would be doing if they had remained in the wild (except that the view from the eyrie in the wild is so much more exciting!). At Glenveagh, the eagles were installed in specially prepared pens. The pens resembled wild eagle eyries with nests of sticks and a view of the terrain. To the baby eagles, the scene would not differ greatly from the one they left in Scotland. The pens were at a secret location in the park. It is most important that the eagles do not become tame and lose their fear of man. Therefore, it was essential that the birds seldom, if ever, encountered people. They did not even see the hand that fed them: their food being dropped to them through a sleeve just as food would be dropped on the nest by a natural parent. Just prior to release, radio transmitters were fitted to the birds. The transmitters, which are very expensive, are loosely fitted like a knapsack on the bird's back. The expense is justified given the wealth of information that the little radios provide. The whereabouts of the eagles can be determined by scanning the horizon with a hand held antenna and moving in the direction of the strongest signal. The radios, when the signal is not blocked by obstacles such as hills, can be pick up 10km to 15km away from the bird. The batteries in the units have a five year life. The babies were weighed, measured and pronounced fit and well. Then the doors of their cages were opened leaving them free to come and go as they pleased. Some of the birds left the cages quickly, others lingered for a while. Food is still being provided at feeding stations in the park. For the first few days the eagles did not take the food. Perhaps they had already eaten so much in captivity that they did not require more. In the wild the parent stop feeding the young shortly before they fledge. Radio monitoring shows that five of the birds are well. Food is still being provided at feeding stations but Lorcan thinks that they are hunting and feeding normally in the wild. The Mooney Goes Wild team watched one such bird quartering the ground. It plunged into the heather occasionally as if in pursuit of a rodent or a rabbit, although it was not seen to catch anything. So far, the birds are staying close to their release area. One bird stopped moving about and Lorcan was able to locate it using its radio signal. The casualty was alive when found but very badly. It had extensive injuries to its back which seemed at first sight to have been caused by a fox or a dog. However, a fox is unlikely to be the culprit. Previously, the bird had been observed crashing in an attempt to land on a cliff-face, so its injuries may have result from a collision and a subsequent fall. The bird had no prospect of survival and, on veterinary advice, it was put down. If you happen to see a Golden Eagle in the mountains of Donegal or elsewhere in Ireland, please report your sighting to: Lorcán O'Toole, Carrowtrasna, Church Hill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel.: 074 37070 E-mail: info@goldeneagle.ieFor more information about the Golden Eagle Re-Introduction Project, visit www.goldeneagle.ie 0:42:04 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-10021142m04smooneydoceagle-pid0-2524560.mp3 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-09021142m31smoonerydocriverdance-pid0-2551632.mp3 Presented by Derek MooneyProduced by Derek Mooney Presented by Derek MooneyProduced by Derek Mooney 0:42:31 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-09021142m31smoonerydocriverdance-pid0-2551632.mp3 Wed, 9 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m02smooneydocredkite-pid0-2522976.mp3 This programme is presented by UCD lecturer, Dr Richard Collins, who writes a weekly natural history column with the Irish Examiner as well as regularly contributing to the Mooney Goes Wild radio programme. Produced by Derek Mooney This programme is presented by UCD lecturer, Dr Richard Collins, who writes a weekly natural history column with the Irish Examiner as well as regularly contributing to the Mooney Goes Wild radio programme. Produced by Derek Mooney Red Kites are the nearest birds to vultures in these islands with a wingspan of up to one and three quarter metres, resembling the frigate birds of the tropics. There has been some dispute about the kite's existence in Ireland but the birds were once widespread in England before they were driven to the brink of extinction. Kites are pirates, stealing from other birds and indeed other kites of their food. A scavenger, Kites were frequently poisoned slowly losing its numbers. However, attitudes are changing and there is now a chance that some day the species will return to its former glory. 0:42:03 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m02smooneydocredkite-pid0-2522976.mp3 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m15smooneydocwhooper-pid0-2535240.mp3 Professor John O'Halloran is an ornithologist at UCC. John focusses on the Whooper swan, which is one of three species of swan that occur in Ireland along with the Mute Swan and the Bewick's swan. Produced by Derek Mooney Professor John O'Halloran is an ornithologist at UCC. John focusses on the Whooper swan, which is one of three species of swan that occur in Ireland along with the Mute Swan and the Bewick's swan. Produced by Derek Mooney Professor John O'Halloran is an ornithologist at UCC and has published over 120 academic papers on birds and pollution as well as contributing in a number of books. In this the final programme in the series, John focusses on the Whooper swan, which is one of three species of swan that occur in Ireland along with the Mute Swan and the Bewick's swan. The adult Whooper swan is white with a yellow bill that is usually held parallel to the water. More distinctive to the Whooper swan though is it's distinctive voice of a resonant hoop-hoop revealing the reason that swans so often evoke passion and affection. The Whooper species range from Scandinavia to Korea with the Icelandic population visiting Ireland each winter. They spread out along the coasts and on freshwater lakes and marshes as well as low-lying agricultural land. This programme will track the large migratory bird from its breeding grounds in Iceland and follow their movements to Ireland in late September before their departure again in the spring. 0:42:15 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m15smooneydocwhooper-pid0-2535240.mp3 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m31smooneydoctrumpeter-pid0-2551032.mp3 Presenter: Richard Collins Producer: Derek Mooney Presenter: Richard Collins Producer: Derek Mooney 0:42:31 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m31smooneydoctrumpeter-pid0-2551032.mp3 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m38smooneydocthejay-pid0-2558136.mp3 Terry Flanagan, who is a trained biologist and a regular contributor to the Mooney Goes Wild radio programme, presents the third programme in this series looking at the Jay. Produced by Derek Mooney Terry Flanagan, who is a trained biologist and a regular contributor to the Mooney Goes Wild radio programme, presents the third programme in this series looking at the Jay. Produced by Derek Mooney Although shy by nature, jays are found in every county of Ireland hidden in oak woodlands. Often mistaken for a more exotic bird the jay looks as if it would be more at home in a rain forest than in Ireland but looks can be deceiving and underneath all that colour is actually just a common crow. With a white rump and a shrill call, at this time of year, the jay is busy collecting acorns to be stored and used during the coming months. Throughout the winter each jay will remember the location of these buried acorns and use them as food right through till June the following year. Not the most popular of birds, jays are often accused of nest-robbing but their colourful plumage and distinctive noises still make them an admired member of Irish bird life. 0:42:38 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m38smooneydocthejay-pid0-2558136.mp3 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m40smooneydoctheswallow-pid0-2560536.mp3 Ornithologist and author Eric Dempsey presents this second programme in the series.Produced by Derek Mooney Ornithologist and author Eric Dempsey presents this second programme in the series.Produced by Derek Mooney Ornithologist and author Eric Dempsey presents this second programme in the series. A professional broadcaster, presenter and speaker, Eric Dempsey's knowledge is much sought after as one of the leading bird experts in Ireland. This programme looks at the amazing journey of the swallow, which sees in the space of five months, the bird go from being an egg to arriving in Africa. This documentary looks at the whole life cycle of Irish swallows from the moment the adults arrive and begin nesting to the laying of the first eggs. It will follow the progress of young birds in the nest to their arrival in South Africa. For this programme and as part of a European project, metal rings have been placed on young swallows so that their movements and success rates can be monitored. The Mooney Goes Wild team will then travel to Africa welcome them and watch as the swallows change from eating insects disturbed by Irish cattle to those disturbed by African buffalo. 0:42:40 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021142m40smooneydoctheswallow-pid0-2560536.mp3 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021151m00smooneydockarl-pid0-3060960.mp3 Presented by Dr. Richard CollinsProduced by Derek Mooney Presented by Dr. Richard CollinsProduced by Derek Mooney 0:51:01 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-08021151m00smooneydockarl-pid0-3060960.mp3 Tue, 8 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021141m03smooneydocwolf-pid0-2463648.mp3 In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team, naturalist and author, Eric Dempsey fulfils a lifelong ambition when he comes face to face with one of the world's most elusive creatures, the Wolf. Produced by Derek Mooney In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team, naturalist and author, Eric Dempsey fulfils a lifelong ambition when he comes face to face with one of the world's most elusive creatures, the Wolf. Produced by Derek Mooney In the short time since wolves have emerged from the shadows of misunderstanding and fear, people's fascination with wolves have grown. In this documentary, Eric Dempsey examines the primal fear of the wolf that lies within many of us. Has this fear been generated by European stories like Little Red Ridinghood or the association of wolves with Bram Stokers 'Dracula'. or is there another reason? Eric looks at the history of wolves in Ireland from the ancient fossil records to more modern times and looks at the place the wolf has in Irish mythology. Travelling to Germany, he discovers the status of wolves and the threats they face in Europe and across the world. He also discovers that mans best friend, the dog, is in fact a direct descendant of the wolf..the wolf in the livingroom! In Germany he also comes face-to-face with captive wolves and speaks with wolf experts on the habitats and behaviour of wild wolves. Finally, Eric makes a journey of discovery to the mid-western United States in search of wild wolves. There, he experiences wolves first hand, hearing the haunting sounds of wolves howling across the snow covered plains of the Lamar Valley in theYellowstone National Park at dawn. He meets both wolf experts and fans, and questions why the wolf holds such a fascination for these enthusiasts. "To look into the eyes of a wolf is to discover the spirit of the wild" says Eric Demspey. Presented by Eric Dempsey Produced by Derek Mooney An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - 0:41:03 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021141m03smooneydocwolf-pid0-2463648.mp3 Fri, 4 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021142m16smooneydocrain-pid0-2536848.mp3 In the first of a series of wildlife documentaries called 'World Wide' presented by four Irish environmentalists, Eanna Ni Lamhna explores the rainforests of Costa Rica. Presented by Eanna Ní Lamhna Produced by Derek Mooney. In the first of a series of wildlife documentaries called 'World Wide' presented by four Irish environmentalists, Eanna Ni Lamhna explores the rainforests of Costa Rica. Presented by Eanna Ní Lamhna Produced by Derek Mooney. 0:42:16 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021142m16smooneydocrain-pid0-2536848.mp3 Fri, 4 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021142m45smooneydocgodwit-pid0-2565288.mp3 Ornithologist Jim Wilson, travels to Iceland in search of the black-tailed godwit. The black-tailed godwit is a large wading bird that breeds in Iceland. Produced by Derek Mooney Ornithologist Jim Wilson, travels to Iceland in search of the black-tailed godwit. The black-tailed godwit is a large wading bird that breeds in Iceland. Produced by Derek Mooney A large proportion of its world population come to Ireland every winter. The godwits spend their time on or near our estuaries. Jim Wilson chose this species because it is typical of our wetland birds and can be used as example to show how important Ireland is for hundreds of thousands of birds from all over the northern hemisphere.Talking about the documentary Jim Wilson says he "hopes to use the story of the black-tailed godwit to show the listener how important it is for us to protect our wildlife, to look on it as not our property but as something we should protect, cherish and enjoy as part of our heritage. Learning about birds like the black-tailed godwit in Ireland is fascinating and should be considered at least as important as cheetahs in Africa or penguins in the Antartic". Jim Wilson will tell the story of "our" black-tailed godwits, what happens these birds when they leave our shores for Iceland each spring and how nature lovers hope to find out more about them to enable us to secure their future in Ireland and beyond. Jim Wilson started his first nature notebook when he was 12 years old. He has studied all aspects of Irish natural history for over 25 years but has a particular interest in the birds of Ireland. He is a computer systems administrator by profession and works for the Southern Health Board at Cork University Hospital. Presented by Jim Wilson Produced by Derek Mooney(First broadcast 20/06/01)An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland 0:42:45 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021142m45smooneydocgodwit-pid0-2565288.mp3 Fri, 4 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021140m53smooneydocdeer-pid0-2453976.mp3 In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team, biologist and Secondary schoolteacher, Terry Flanagan looks at the life of our Fallow Deer. Produced by Derek Mooney In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team, biologist and Secondary schoolteacher, Terry Flanagan looks at the life of our Fallow Deer. Produced by Derek Mooney Born within a couple of hundred metres of the Phoenix Park, Terry spent much of his childhood fascinated by these majestic animals that roamed the Park. Now he has fulfilled his ambition by spending a year following their progress and recording their activities from the moment of conception to the birth of a young fawn, the following year. But deer are not just confined to the Phoenix Park. Terry travels to South Co. Wicklow to spot wild and elusive deer there. Getting close to wild deer is nowhere like as easy as watching the deer in the Park. Possibly the best known of the deer species is the reindeer and Terry travelled to Lapland to see them and discover how they have become adapted to the harsh conditions present there. The recent Foot and Mouth scare sent shivers down the spines of those concerned with our deer populations, not least the Fallow Deer in the Park. Terry looks at the measures taken to prevent this infection spreading to the Park and what lessons can be learned from this tragedy. He also speaks with the Irish Deer Society and discovers the role they play in helping to conserve our deer. The population of Fallow Deer have been present in the Phoenix Park for over 300 years now. They have become an icon, not just to to Dubliners, but to everybody in Ireland. Many placenames throughout the country are derived from the former presence of fallow deer, or more particularly the parks in which they were confined. There are locations called Deerpark in at least 16 counties.The highlight of the year long project for Terry was the birth of a young fawn and the subsequent intensive study, tagging and monitoring of the individual animals following their release by the Mammal Research team from UCD led by Dr. Tom Hayden. Presented by Terry Flanagan Producer by : Derek MooneyFirst Broadcast 2006An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland 0:40:54 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-04021140m53smooneydocdeer-pid0-2453976.mp3 Fri, 4 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021142m31smooneydocpope-pid0-2551680.mp3 'Pope in Ireland' tells the story of an historic few days in Ireland - and 20 years on, how those days last in the memory.Presented and poduced by Derek Mooney First broadcast Sept 29th 1999. 'Pope in Ireland' tells the story of an historic few days in Ireland - and 20 years on, how those days last in the memory.Presented and poduced by Derek Mooney First broadcast Sept 29th 1999. In September 1979, Pope John Paul II became the first pope in history to visit Ireland. The then 57-year-old pontiff touched down at Dublin airport on the morning of September 29th 1979, where he was met by the Irish president, Dr Patrick Hillery and a host of religious leaders. Before travelling to Drogheda he was flown to Phoenix Park in Dublin where he delivered an open-air sermon to more than 1.25 million people - nearly a third of Ireland's entire population, the largest gathering of Irish people in history. He told the people why he felt called to visit Ireland and the Irish. He reminded the crowd of how St Patrick heard the "voice of the Irish" and came to help us. So did he. "Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, Like St. Patrick, I too have heard "the voice of the Irish" Later that day, he was met by a crowd of over 300,000 in Drogheda, Co. Louth. Preparations had been taking place for weeks. The entire Dublin police force had all leave cancelled for the duration of the visit, bunting in the papal colours of yellow and white had been hung across country and people have travelled from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the dynamic Polish priest. The rest of his trip included a visit to Galway and the Marian shrine at Knock in County Mayo where he was met by an estimated audience of almost 500,000 people. The following day he travelled to visit St Patrick's College at Maynooth and then, by helicopter, to Limerick before leaving for Boston airport to begin a tour of the United States. Pope John Paul II's fond farewell to the Irish people: "Dia agus Muire libh! May God and Mary be with you and with the Families of Ireland, always." Presented and poduced by Derek Mooney First broadcast Sept 29th 1999. An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries 0:42:31 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021142m31smooneydocpope-pid0-2551680.mp3 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021142m49smooneydocwayhome-pid0-2569080.mp3 This documentary charts Keiko's journey from a Mexico city amusement part to the Westman islands in Iceland where he is preparing for freedom - on his way back home. Presented and produced by Derek Mooney This documentary charts Keiko's journey from a Mexico city amusement part to the Westman islands in Iceland where he is preparing for freedom - on his way back home. Presented and produced by Derek Mooney Keiko (1976 - December 12, 2003) was a male orca who starred in the three Free Willy movies, and was perhaps the most famous of captive orcas. Keiko was captured near Iceland in 1979 and sold to the Icelandic aquarium in Hafnarfjörður. Three years later, he was sold to Marineland in Ontario, where he first started performing for the public. He was then sold to Reino Aventura an amusement park in Mexico City, in 1985. The plan to return him to the wild was a topic of much controversy. Keiko died from pneumonia in Taknes Bay, Norway while under the care of personnel from Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society on December 12, 2003. He had become lethargic, had a loss of appetite and died at 27 years of age. Presented and produced by Derek Mooney An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries 0:42:49 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021142m49smooneydocwayhome-pid0-2569080.mp3 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021139m59smooneydocfox-pid0-2399592.mp3 In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team, ecologist and lecturer Eanna Ni Lamhna looks at the life of the Arctic Fox. Produced by Derek Mooney In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team, ecologist and lecturer Eanna Ni Lamhna looks at the life of the Arctic Fox. Produced by Derek Mooney Turning white in winter to blend in with the white background of snow is a very successful adaptation. Stoats, hares and arctic foxes have perfected this way of living but not everywhere. At the end of the last Ice Age these mammals, along with others, spread northwards, colonising all suitable habitat. However Ireland soon warmed up from the tundra stage, which immediately followed the melting of the ice. Long snow covered winters became a thing of the past. The hare and the stoat adopted an Irish solution to an Irish problem and stayed brown during the winter. The Arctic fox didn't adapt however and so is no longer part of our fauna. In this documentary Eanna follows him north to another island - Iceland - to see if being isolated on an island makes the Icelandic arctic fox different to those on mainland Europe. And of course they are. Their main item of diet on mainland Europe - the lemming- is completely absent from Iceland and so the arctic fox there must learn an Icelandic solution to an Icelandic problem. Do they have to turn white in the winter if they are not creeping up on unsuspecting lemmings? What do they eat anyway if there are no lemmings? And how can they manage to survive in temperatures of minus forty degrees? The wild and beautiful Iceland forms a background to this whimsical look at the arctic fox - an animal that was once here but fell a victim to global warming the last time round. Produced by Derek MooneyAn Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries 0:39:59 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021139m59smooneydocfox-pid0-2399592.mp3 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no RTÉ:Ireland http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021139m56smooneydocking-pid0-2396496.mp3 In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team,, Dr Richard Collins explores the mysterious world of the "Kingfisher". Produced by Derek Mooney In this documentary from the Mooney Goes Wild team,, Dr Richard Collins explores the mysterious world of the "Kingfisher". Produced by Derek Mooney Some creatures are so ridiculously beautiful that they just don't belong in the real world. The Halcyon, or Kingfisher, was a favourite of the Gods. Kingfishers nest underground in river-banks. The nests are never seen and the ancient Greeks thought that the birds must lay their eggs out on the sea. The waters around Greece are usually tranquil for a few weeks around the summer solstice. This was because the Gods calmed the sea to allow their special bird to nest; hence the expression 'halcyon days'. Irish birds are, by international standards, a dull unpretentious lot, the avian equivalent of the 'plain people of Ireland'. The Kingfisher is so glamorous that it looks out of place here. Its extraordinary colours are more appropriate to the tropics than to a cloudy overcast island. Glamour has its downside. It's not always wise to attract attention to oneself and, for a bird to do so, can be fatal. Flamboyant costumes may impress your neighbours but they make you an easy target for your enemies. Kingfishers, therefore, must have a very good reason to dress up. Wasps have painful stings and wear yellow and black football-jerseys to frighten their enemies away. Are Kingfishers doing the same? Perhaps a hawk, which eats a Kingfisher, finds the flesh so unpalatable that it never catches one again, a case of 'once bitten, twice shy'. This is just one of the intriguing question raised in this radio documentary on Kingfishers. New ways of persuading kingfishers to nest have been developed at the Rye Meads nature reserve in London. The discoveries there were used with spectacular success this summer in Wicklow. Presenter Dr Richard Collins and producer Derek Mooney visit the RSPB site at Rye Meads and Druids Glen in Wicklow to talk to experts about the life and times of Ireland's most glamorous bird. Presented by Richard CollinsProduced by Derek MooneyAn Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries 0:39:56 http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-02021139m56smooneydocking-pid0-2396496.mp3 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0000 no