TV50 Classics

• CLASSICS COMEDY

  

  The theme for May on RTÉ Player TV50 Classics is 'Comedy'

• O'Dea's Your Man: False Colours

  

  First broadcast 2 February 1964

  Set in a signal box, the older and wiser station master, Mr. O (Jimmy O'Dea), and his younger assistant, Ignatius (David Kelly), discuss life. In this episode Mr. O remembers the days of his more athletic youth and his experience as a jockey giving advice to people such as Toss Taaffe and Aubrey Brabazon. An interesting accomplishment as Mr. O never actually rode a horse. Script by Myles na gCopaleen. Watch

• That's Entertainment - The Comedian

  

  First broadcast 27 April 1972

  A behind-the-scenes look at the work of comedian Hal Roach. The programme follows the entertainer from his home to a gig in Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. He talks to camera about his children and his feelings about becoming a grandfather, before then taking to the stage. Watch

• Hall's Pictorial Weekly

  

  First broadcast 16 March 1973

  This black and white edition of the programme is one of the oldest complete 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly' episodes in the archives. This last of the 1972/'73 series treated viewers to a flavour of the people Frank Hall intervieweed during the year, from fishy tales in Mayo to balancing stacked glasses of drink on your head in Goresbridge. There's a visit to Ballymagash Garda Station, and Cha and Miah are at the seaside. Watch

• The Live Mike

  

  First broadcast 22 February 1980

  Mike revisits the area where he grew up and catches out an old family friend in a bicycle shop before heading down the road to give his father a hard time. Dermot Morgan and Twink provide comedy sketches, with Father Trendy making an appearance. Rugby fans will be interested in an interview with the great Ken Goodall about his love for rugby union and his decision to turn professional and play Rugby League. Watch

• Hall's Pictorial Weekly

  

  First broadcast 5 March 1980

  Frank Hall is now editor of Hall's Pictorial Weekly Colour Supplement incorporating The Provincial Vindicator, The Ballymagash Impartial Reporter and The Tooreendohenybeg News and Star. This programme happens shortly after a Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis and the 'Feel and Fall' politicians come in for some stick from the Hal's Pic crew. We meet The Balyymagash TV Continuity Announcer, The Sisters of The Poor Mouth, some less than productive builders, The Minister for Inactivity and of course, Cha and Miah give us the Cork take on recent events. Watch

• Twink

  

  First broadcast 28 March 1982

  Music and comedy with Twink, Jonathan Ryan, Tom Murphy, the house band, backing singers and special guest Brendan Grace. Watch

• The Brendan Grace Show

  

  First broadcast 12 November 1982

  Singing, dancing and comedy in a sparkling series, starring ‘His Grace’ himself. Joining him in this programme are Shaun O'Dowd, Rose Tynan, Daddy Cool And The Lollipops, and Gypsy. Brendan appears as a bearded nun, a news reader, Clark Kent and the ever-popular Bottler. Watch

• Don't Feed the Gondolas

  

  First broadcast 26 April 1999

  Hosted by Sean Moncrieff, with team leaders Dara O'Briain and Brendan O'Connor, this review of the year episode features O'Connor's kiss with Anne Doyle, as well as highlights of phone calls made to such places as The White House, The Nobel Committee, and The Bellagio Hotel in Vegas. Among the guests are Twink, Tony Gregory, Michael Lyster and Steve Collins. At end of show O’Connor sings ‘To All The Girls I’v Loved Before’. Watch

• Killinaskully - The German Fillum

  

  First broadcast 30 December 2003

  The very first programme of the popular drama series featuring the bizarre goings on in an Irish village, starring and co-written by Pat Shortt. An air of excitement descends on Killinaskully with the arrival of a German film crew, intent on making a documentary about rural Irish life. Things, however, do not go according to plan. Dan and his cohorts try to help out, but along the way the visitors' teutonic sensibilities are put to the test. Watch

• Naked Camera

  

  First broadcast 26 March 2007

  George Hook meets the taxi-driver from hell, American Chuck O'Loughlin searches for an O'Loughlin to give him a kidney, a fish shop gets an unusual customer, while an unsuspecting DART passenger is accused of being the father of a stranger's baby. Watch

• CLASSICS CHILDREN

  

  The theme for April on RTÉ Player TV50 Classics is 'Children'

• Once Upon a Time

  

  First broadcast 17 October 1963

  Jimmy O'Dea brings his own twist to some well-loved children's stories. In this episode he takes us to China for the story of 'Aladdin'. As with all good stories it has to end with 'they all lived happily ever after'. Watch

• Daithí Lacha ar an bhFarraige

  

  First broadcast 1 January 1965

  An early Irish cartoon series created by Flann Ó Riain, following the adventures of the Daithí Lacha, a duck whose catchphrase is 'Aililiú'. In this episode, Daithí and Puisín visit the seaside. They hire a boat but things do not go according to plan. Watch

• Daithí Lacha

  

  First broadcast 8 June 1965

  Daithí’s mother sends him to the shops but as usual our hero can get nothing right. His friends Maidhc and Puisín, and some boys fishing at the bridge, guarantee that the day ends in disaster. Watch

• Let's Draw with Bláithín

  

  First broadcast 3 April 1968

  Bláithín switches effortlessly from English to Irish throughout the programme as she shows the audience how to paint or create pictures from blobs, smudges and squiggles. Watch

• Youngline

  

  First broadcast 1 June 1978

  This end-of-series edition of 'Youngline', presented by Conor McAnally, Hilary Orpen and Pat Butler, includes a performance from earlier that season of The Hype, shortly before they would become U2. Also performing is 10-year-old cellist Daire Fitzgerald, who went on to have a glittering career in America, collaborating with Yehudi Menuhin and André Previn. Watch

• Wanderly Wagon - The Frog Princess

  

  First broadcast 19 January 1979

  When Godmother reads the story of the Frog Princess, strange things begin to happen. Is this story book magic? Or is it because Fergus happens to be listening? The mystery is solved and there is still time for tea as usual in Wanderly Wagon. Watch

• Anything Goes

  

  First broadcast 25 October 1980

  In this compilation, there is the usual Birthday Roller, 'Make and Do' with Mary Fitzgerald, and an extended report from the 11th Community Games held in Mosney, Co. Meath. Kathy Parke and Aonghus McAnally speak to some of those taking part and Eamon Coughlan is there to support the young athletes. Watch

• Wanderly Wagon - The Robot Crow

  

  First broadcast 8 January 1981

  Somebody has ruined Godmother's cake - but who? Mr. Crow is suspected. Is he the culprit or are Dr. Astro, the madly eccentric scientist, and his assistant, Sneaky Snake, up to their tricks again? Watch

• C-P and Qwikstitch - Robots Come to Life

  

  First broadcast 6 October 1982

  An animated film about two robots living on a junk-strewn planet called Junkus Minor. C-P has the body of a vacuum cleaner, electric irons for feet, a spatula for a hand and a projector on his head. Qwikstitch is mainly sewing machine, with an upside-down teapot for a head. C-P tells Qwikstitch what he remembers of the humans. Watch

• Bosco

  

  First broadcast 20 September 1983

  Pencils and chalk are the theme of this episode, presented by Gráinne Uí Mhaitiú and Frank Twomey. There's a song about Penelope Pencil, a tongue twister and a story about a baby duck and we go behind the Magic Door to see some pastry making. Watch

• Pat's Chat

  

  First broadcast 1 March 1985

  There's madness and mayhem in studio with Pat and the kids, not to mention the excitement of the tummy tester, Mrs. Rafferty's call and Lord Lollops and Spindle literally dropping in. Watch

• Bosco

  

  First broadcast 8 October 1985

  Philip Tyler and Gráinne Uí Mhaitiú provide helping hands for Bosco, who sings along in the Hands song. We get a glimpse inside Bosco's box. There's a tongue twister from the Tongue Twister Twins and a trip to the zoo through the Magic Door. Watch

• Bosco

  

  First broadcast 26 March 1986

  Mary Garrioch and Philip Tyler help Bosco to tidy his box and sing a washing song. There is a tongue twister from the twins and a trip through the Magic Door to see some reindeer being fed. Mary tells the story of the Red Jersey and Philip and Mary make some paper clothes. Watch

• Aunty Poppy's Storytime

  

  First broadcast 4 November 1987

  Jean Darling (Aunty Poppy), who was an American child actress in the 1920s, tells the story of 'Little Benny Pig and the Circus' to children in the studio and at home. She also wrote the story. Watch

• Bosco

  

  First broadcast 23 December 1987

  Marian Richardson and Philip Tyler take a close look at animals, including creatures like snails, cockles and mussels. Marian reads a story about the two snails, Curly and Furly. There's a tongue twister from the twins and another adventure at Savers Supermarket with Síle and Séamus McSpud. Watch

• Bosco

  

  First broadcast 20 January 1988

  Bosco and his friends Mary Garrioch and Frank Twomey learn to bake a cake, sing a baking song, try a tongue twister and hear the story of Leo the Lion with the very big appetite. There's a trip through the Magic Door, a 'Plonksters' animation and Frank makes a chef's hat. Watch

• Borderline

  

  First broadcast 1 March 1988

  Coinciding with The Stag Hotpress Awards, this episode features award-winners popping into studio to chat or perform. Guests include Rory Gallagher, Mary Coughlan, Something Happens and Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen of U2. Co-motion Theatre Group give us a glimpse of a day in the life of a black slave in a white household in Southern Africa. Watch

• Dilín Ó Deamhas

  

  First broadcast 10 May 1988

  An Irish programme for young children, which was a mixture of songs and stories. The programme is presented by Padraig Ó Briain and Máire De Barra, who was a familiar face for many years as one of RTÉ's best known continuity announcers. Watch

• Bosco

  

  First broadcast 17 April 1988

  Like most people, Bosco couldn't stand creepy crawlies, until something happened to change his mind. David Byrne and Marian Richardson have a song about a caterpillar and there's something really special behind the magic door. Watch

• Scratch Saturday

  

  First broadcast 9 March 1991

  A Mother's Day special featuring mothers and children taking part in games and quizzes. Mary Kingston is in Athlone and the Fanta Road Show comes from Longford with help from the then Minister for Finance, Albert Reynolds. Sandy Kelly is the mystery guest and there is the usual fun and games in studio with Captain Stan and his sidekick. Watch

• Echo Island

  

  First broadcast 23 December 1997

  In this Christmas-week programme, presented by Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh and Dara Ó Briain, Ardal O'Hanlon talks about his role in Fr. Ted and answers questions from callers. Dara is a burping Santa and RTÉ Cór na nÓg performs a Christmas song. Watch

• Fadó Fadó - The Warty Tree

  

  First broadcast 9 April 2008

  Legends and aspects of traditional culture are portrayed by primary school children, who relate and illustrate a tale. Karen Gaffney tells the story of The Warty Tree, from its location near Clonmellon. Watch

• 

  CLASSICS IRISH

  The theme for March on RTÉ Player TV50 Classics is 'Irish'

• Welcome Mr President

  

  First broadcast 28 July 1963

  President Kennedy’s memorable visit to Ireland in the last week of June 1963 resulted in the recording of more than 14 hours of television broadcasts. This condensed version gives the highlights of the president's tour, covering his arrival and all his main public appearances. Watch

• Landmark: Patrick Fergus, Hill Farmer

  

  First broadcast 22 April 1976

  Sheep farmer Patrick Fergus shares his thoughts on living alone and farming on his mountain farm in West Mayo. This programme won ‘The Golden Ear of Wheat’ award at the Berlin International Festival of Agri Films in 1978. Watch

• As the Crow Flies: Episode 1

  

  First broadcast 24 March 1977

  A helicopter moves over Ireland tracing patterns of today and yesterday in the landscape below. Our journey starts at Passage East in County Waterford, follows the Blackwater through County Waterford, and then travels across County Cork to Mizen Head and the Fastnet Light. Watch

• As the Crow Flies: Episode 2

  

  First broadcast 31 March 1977

  This journey starts above the lonely Skelligs and continues by way of Killarney, the Estuary of the Shannon and the Burren Country to Dún Aengus on the Aran Islands. Watch

• As the Crow Flies: Episode 3

  

  First broadcast 7 April 1977

  This film opens at the Rock of Cashel, moves over the towns and farmland of County Tipperary, visits Tynagh Mines and Ardnacrusha and ends up by the Shannon at Clonmacnoise. Watch

• As the Crow Flies: Episode 4

  

  First broadcast 14 April 1977

  This sky cruise affords glimpses of the Sligo that Yeats knew - Knocknarea, Ben Bulben, Lissadell - and the beauties of Donegal - Slieve League, Errigal, and the beaches, towns and uplands of the Republic's most northerly county. Watch

• As the Crow Flies: Episode 5

  

  First broadcast 21 April 1977

  Beginning at Drogheda, the helicopter flies along the Boyne Valley, hovers over the great pre-historic tumuli of Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange, sights new mines and old castles and ends its flight at Royal Tara. Watch

• As the Crow Flies: Episode 6

  

  First broadcast 28 April 1977

  The ancient land of the "little grey walls" unfolds as we circle out of Galway City bound, via Salthill, for the Twelve Pins, Clifden, Achill Island and the rugged slopes of Croagh Patrick, with a final swing to the East for Boyle in County Roscommon. Watch

• As the Crow Flies: Episode 7

  

  First broadcast 7 May 1977

  This journey begins at the site of the first Norman landing in Bannow Bay, crosses to Kilmore Quay and still staying in Co. Wexford flies over Vinegar Hill, New Ross and from there up the River Barrow and the Nore to Kilkenny City before turning East to Avondale, Glendalough, Avoca and finishing up over the Sugar Loaf mountain. Watch

• Mists of Maam

  

  First broadcast 25 December 1977

  Retired postman Tadhg Ó Cadhain (also known as Thadie Coyne) travels with reporter Padraic Ó Catháin, through the wild landscape of Maam in Connemara where 'The Quiet Man' was filmed. We see the area's breathtaking scenery and drop in to the new local primary school and to a session of music and dancing in the local pub. The programme is bi-lingual. Watch

• The Brendan Voyage

  

  First broadcast 22 May 1978

  This is the restored version of the film documenting the epic voyage undertaken by Tim Severin and his crew to replicate the sixth-century voyage of St. Brendan, The Navigator. Setting out from Kerry to North America in a small open boat made of ox-hide, we follow the tiny boat’s journey until its arrival in Newfoundland. This film inspired the Irish composer, Shaun Davey, to write his internationally acclaimed ‘Brendan Suite’ and this has now been incorporated into this restored version. Watch

• The Green Linnet

  

  A six-part film account of a musicial tour around Europe in the summer of 1978 by accordian player Tony McMahon and Barney McKenna of The Dubliners. Their small van was appropriately named "The Green Linnet". The pair "busked" their way from Brittany to the Mediterranean with "bosca ceoil" and banjo.

• The Green Linnet: Episode 1

  

  First broadcast 5 January 1979

  Before setting out, Tony McMahon and Barney McKenna visit The Coombe in Dublin to remember the last of the great travelling Irish musicians, Johnny Doran. From there, they head west to attend the Fleadh Nua in Ennis, Tony's hometown, before setting off for the ferry and the continent. Watch

• The Green Linnet: Episode 2

  

  First broadcast 12 January 1979

  Tony McMahon and Barney McKenna visit a Celtic Music Festival in Brittany. In this programme they head from the ferry to Lanrivain and then Quimper in Brittany attending a Celtic Music Festival along the way. Watch

• The Green Linnet: Episode 3

  

  First broadcast 19 January 1979

  Tony McMahon and Barney McKenna of The Dubliners visit Freighburg in Germany. Watch

• The Green Linnet: Episode 4

  

  First broadcast 26 January 1979

  Tony and Barney travel to Florence and stop in the Swiss Alps on the way, to rest and play some tunes. They arrive in Florence and see some of the great sights, including the statue of David, by Michelangelo. On the steps of a cathedral Tony plays an old Irish tune which reminds him about what has been lost to Ireland since the battle of Kinsale in the 17th century. Watch

• The Green Linnet: Episode 5

  

  First broadcast 2 February 1979

  The destination is St. Tropez, where Tony and Barney look very different to the sun worshippers. Playing on a beach, they stand out in their heavy clothes and boots beside the tanned, topless women. While walking through the streets Barney shows Tony how to work the street taps to drink water. Watch

• The Green Linnet: Episode 6

  

  First broadcast 9 February 1979

  Barney McKenna and Tony MacMahon travel to Andorra through the Pyrenees. This programme sees them refused admission to Spain, so they visit Andorra instead. Watch

• Papal Visit to Ireland

  

  First broadcast 1979

  To those who weren't there, or maybe even born, the depth of feeling that swept the country in the late summer of 1979 when Pope John Paul II visited Ireland is hard to explain. This footage captures some of the outpouring of devotion his holiness provoked. Watch

• Hands: A Dublin Candle Maker

  

  First broadcast 1 April 1980

  Few firms in Dublin can trace their origins back to the 15th Century. Rathborne Wax Chandlers, founded in 1488, still make elegant and beautiful church candles by almost the same method employed in the early days of candle making. Watch

• Filling the Fourpenny Seats

  

  First broadcast 19 November 1985

  Fr Thomas Doherty bought his first film camera in the 1930s and used it to capture life around him, especially in his native Donegal. This documentary takes its name from the price he charged for entry to his films in the local hall. Parades, processions, cutting hay, weddings, hospitals, train journeys: all are beautifully captured in black and white and then colour. Watch

• One Thirty Fifth of a Horse

  

  First broadcast 24 November 1987

  For the price of two drinks a week you could share a dream – you could own a racehorse. That’s what hundreds of ordinary people are doing by grouping together to buy or lease a thoroughbred. This film follows the fortunes of two such groups, the Dublin Airport Racing Club and The Dundalk Racing Club. Watch

• Ten Minute Tales: St Patrick and the Three Useless Things

  

  First broadcast 17 March 1988

  Eddie Lenihan tells the story of ‘St Patrick and the Three Useless Things’. Watch

• Irish in Mind: Nuala O'Faolain

  

  First broadcast 20 March 1989

  Professor Anthony Clare talks to Nuala O'Faolain about her formative years with her family, her life at Oxford and with the BBC, and her return to Ireland. She tells him how when recalling the past she can only remember the bad bits and must have filtered out all the good things. Watch

• Hanly's People: Seamus Heaney

  

  First broadcast 10 April 1989

  David Hanly talks to Seamus Heaney about his early life at home in a divided townland, going to Queen's, the Civil Rights Movement, his first stirrings of poetry, success as a poet and about being famous. Heaney reads 'Fosterling', the poem he wrote for fellow Northern Ireland poet, John Montague. Watch

• Open Eye: Home for the Holidays

  

  First broadcast 27 March 1990

  For nearly 150 years Achill has experienced the migration of its men folk, seeking work in Scotland and England. In the late 80’s however, the migration has changed to more permanent emigration. Ironically, Fr. Horan’s Airport at Knock has facilitated this move with emigrants returning to visit, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period. Watch

• Here to Stay

  

  First broadcast 26 July 1990

  Tish Barry talks to Helen Lewis (born Helena Katz in Trutnov, Czechoslovakia 1916), a professional choreographer whose contemporary dance studies were interrupted by the Second World War. Being Jewish, she was incarcerated in camps including Auschwitz, before she escaped and came to Belfast. Watch

• Art Attacks: Hindesight

  

  First broadcast 7 March 1994

  To Irish people of a certain age, John Hinde means postcards that have gone out of fashion but are a part of our past. This documentary film unravels the enigma of Hinde and explains his life as pioneer of early colour photography. Watch

• Summer Pride: Top Cats

  

  First broadcast 10 July 1995

  The programme features legendary Kilkenny camogie players, the Downey twins, Angela and Ann, who have won 12 All-Ireland medals, including seven in a row, between1985 and 1991. We see shots of the girls in action, including the famous incident when Angela lost her skirt after being tackled during an All-Ireland Camogie Final. We hear from their father, Shem Downey, and from Kilkenny coach, Tom Ryan. Watch

• Nationwide: Croagh Patrick

  

  First broadcast 29 July 1996

  Jim Fahy presents this special on Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo and the people who climb the mountain each year on ‘Reek Sunday’. An RTÉ News Production. Watch

• Mighty Talk: A Journey with Druidsynge

  

  First broadcast 7 February 2006

  To mark the Druid Theatre's 30th anniversary in 2005, Druidsynge undertook one of the most ambitious projects in Irish theatre for many years - to stage John Millington Synge's entire theatrical canon, back to back, over eight hours - under the directorship of Garry Hynes. Watch

• The Green Linnet Remembered

  

  First broadcast 6 September 2006

  Filmed in Tony McMahon's house on Good Friday 2006, three of the original film team from The Green Linnet series meet for the first time in over twenty years to bury the hatchet and think back on a trip of a lifetime. Barney remembers the women, the wine and his first sight of a nudist beach. Seamus and Tony remember the poor lodgings, the lack of food and the rows. But in the end, all agree that music is what held them together throughout. Footage from the original series is used to illustrate their memories. Watch

• The School

  

  First broadcast 4 January 2010

  A landmark documentary series for RTÉ Television, following the students and teachers of St Peter's College Dunboyne, Co Meath over one academic year. Watch

• The School

  

  First broadcast 11 January 2010

  Term two: As third and sixth-year students undertake their mock exams there's a break-in at the school. And with just a few days to go before opening night, the lead in the school musical falls ill. Can Adam learn an entire musical is less than a week? Watch

• The School

  

  First broadcast 18 January 2010

  It's term three in the school. The students receive their mock results with just six weeks to the Leaving Cert exam. Mr Gannon announces his retirement. Will Adam be allowed perform at the awards ceremony after more disciplinary problems? Watch

• Leargas: O Bhéal go Béal - Scéim na Scol

  

  First broadcast 26 April 2010

  In 1937 the Irish Folklore Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Education, initiated a revolutionary scheme called Scéim na Scol. Children were asked to collect and document folklore and local history in special copybooks. Now in their mid-80s, four former students in the Muscraí Gaeltacht in Co. Cork who participated in this project vividly recall this experience. They are shown their copybooks for the first time with some surprising results. Watch

• 

  CLASSICS MUSIC

  The theme for February on RTÉ Player TV50 Classics is 'Music'

• Daniel O’Donnell at Millstreet

  

  First broadcast 31 December 1994

  Daniel O'Donnell, accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Daniel O'Donnell band, hosts a special New Year's Eve show from Millstreet in Cork and performs many of his best-known hits. Daniel's guests are singer Mary Duff, the Irish Youth Ballet, and 1994's Mary from Dungloe, Sarah Mulholland. Watch

• Christy Moore: Let the Music Keep Your Spirits High

  

  First broadcast October 14 2001

  Christy Moore talks about his life in music and performs with Declan Sinnott and Dónal Lunny. He is also joined by special guests, Jimmy McCarthy and Sinéad O'Connor. Watch

• Music Makers: Rory Gallagher

  

  First broadcast 11 June 1973

  Rory Gallagher in concert in the Savoy Cinema, Limerick, with Gerry McAvoy on bass and Rod de'Ath replacing Wilgar Campbell on drums. The concert is intercut with Gallagher in locations around Cork, talking about his early musical awakenings, buying his first Fender guitar and his big break at the Marquee Club in London. Watch

• Music Makers: Horslips

  

  First broadcast 28 May 1973

  1973 was an important year for Horslips. They toured their debut album, 'Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part', while working on their influential follow-up, 'The Tain'. This memorable concert at the National Stadium includes classic tracks 'It's Never Too Late' (originally recorded by Steppenwolf), 'Comb Your Hair and Curl It', and their showstopping anthem, 'Furniture'. Watch

• Fleadh Cheoil 1973 Listowel

  

  First broadcast 3 October 1973

  A feature documentary capturing the mood and music of the Fleadh Cheoil held in Listowel, Co. Kerry, in 1973. Watch

• On Stage at the Stadium: George Melly

  

  First broadcast 14 January 1976

  George Melly - author, film and tv critic, chat-show host, general eccentric, and Jazz Singer of the Year - performs with John Chilton's Feetwarmers at the National Stadium in Dublin. Watch

• On Stage at the Stadium: Joe Dolan

  

  First broadcast 7 April 1976

  Joe Dolan, with The Drifters, performs some of his best-known songs, including 'Good Looking Woman', before a live audience at the National Stadium in Dublin. Watch

• Paul Brady at the Embankment

  

  First broadcast 26 November 1976

  Paul Brady, along with Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine and Arty McGlynn, performs to an audience at the Embankment in Tallaght, Co. Dublin, as part of a series featuring well-known performers on the traditional Irish music scene. Watch

• On Stage at the Stadium: Ray Lynam

  

  First broadcast 28 June 1978

  This programme features country singer Ray Lynam with his band, The Hillbillies, at the National Stadium in Dublin. He is joined on stage by Ireland's queen of country music, Philomena Begley, for a selection of numbers. Watch

• Boney M in Concert

  

  First broadcast 25 December 1978

  Boney M perform in concert at the RDS in Dublin with an electrifying show, which includes such hits as 'Rivers of Babylon', 'Brown Girl in the Ring' and 'Mary's Boy Child'. Watch

• At the Gaiety: The Dubliners

  

  First broadcast 8 March 1980

  This concert celebrates the reuniting of Ronnie Drew with The Dubliners - Luke Kelly, John Sheahan and Barney McKenna - and features song favourites 'Whiskey in the Jar', 'The Town I Loved So Well' and 'Waltzing Matilda'. Watch

• She's Got It: Dolores Keane

  

  First broadcast 6 November 1988

  Dolores Keane presents her own programme, showcasing her considerable musical talent. She is joined by her band and family members, including her aunts Rita and Sarah Keane, and special guests Paul Brady and Hank and Matt Wangford. Performances include 'Caledonia'. Watch

• RTÉ Proms: Carmina Burana

  

  First broadcast 10 October 1993

  Carmina Burana by Carl Orff featuring the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gearóid Grant, the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir and Cór na nÓg, with choral director Colin Mawby, and soloists Frances Lucey, Peter Kerr and Donald Maxwell. Introduced by Ian Fox. Watch

• Christmas Showtime with Boyzone

  

  First broadcast 26 December 1996

  Before their sell-out concerts at The Point, chart-toppers Boyzone perform some of their best-known hits for their fans, in the setting of Fossett's Circus tent, with magic, dance and circus thrills. Watch

• Westlife at HQ

  

  First broadcast 25 December 1999

  A five-piece Westlife perform early hits such as 'Flying Without Wings' and 'Swear it Again' to their adoring fans. Features special guest performances from Ronan Keating, Brian Kennedy and Samantha Mumba. Watch

• 

  CLASSICS TALK

  The theme for January on RTÉ Player TV50 Classics is 'Talk'

• This Week

  

  First broadcast 15 September 1974

  Mother Teresa of Calcutta talks to Nodlaig McCarthy about her life and work. This was her second appearance on Irish television. Watch

• Tell Me

  

  First broadcast 24 October 1979

  Actor Richard Burton talks to John O'Donoghue about his love of poetry and women and the effect his career has had on his private life. Watch

• Tell Me

  

  First broadcast 1 August 1980

  John O'Donoghue interviews agony aunt Frankie Byrne and playwright John B Keane. Watch

• Proinsias Mac Aonghusa Ag Caint Le

  

  First broadcast 5 October 1981

  Proinsias Mac Aonghusa interviews poet Máirtín Ó Díreáin. His poems, most of which were inspired by life on the Aran islands, were all written in Irish. Ó Díreáin quotes from his own work. Watch

• The Women's Programme

  

  First broadcast 6 February 1984

  In light of the tragic deaths in Granard of a teenage mother and her baby, 'The Women's Programme' discusses attitudes to teenage sexuality. Presented by Doireann Ní Bhriain, Nell McCafferty and Marian Finucane. Watch

• Saturday Live

  

  First broadcast 7 March 1987

  Rhonda Paisley interviews her father Ian Paisley for the first time on Irish television. Watch

• Hanly's People

  

  First broadcast 19 October 1987

  David Hanly interviews Robert Fisk, Middle East Correspondent for the London Times. Holder of the 'Journalist of the Year' and 'International Reporter of the Year' awards, he had been the newspaper's Irish Correspondent from 1972 to 1975. Watch

• Hanly's People

  

  First broadcast 7 December 1987

  David Hanly interviews Eamon Dunphy. Dunphy joined Manchester United as a 15-year old and played professional football with Millwall before becoming a journalist in Dublin. Watch

• Saturday Live

  

  First broadcast 19 December 1987

  Presented by Joe Dolan, guests include ballad singer Nita Norry, comedian Bal Moane and golfer Christy O'Connor jnr. Watch

• Hanly's People

  

  First broadcast 25 January 1988

  David Hanly interviews Ronnie Drew, a founder member of The Dubliners along with Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna and Ciarán Bourke. Watch

• Kenny Live

  

  First broadcast 17 December 1988

  This programme features Jack Charlton and his mother Cissie Charlton. Music from Chris De Burgh, Rebecca Storm, and Foster and Allen. Watch

• Kenny Live

  

  First broadcast 1 April 1989

  This episode features a young Miriam O'Callaghan, in one of her first appearances on RTÉ television. A former researcher on 'This is Your Life', she took part in a discussion about Eamonn Andrews, prompted by the publication of Tom Brennand's biography. Also featured are Twink and snooker player John Parrott. Watch

• Kenny Live

  

  First broadcast 1 May 1993

  Naomi Campbell announces her engagement to Adam Clayton of U2. Bruce Arnold, author of 'Haughey His Life and Unlucky Deeds' and Charlie McCreevy, Minister for Trade and Tourism, talk about Charles Haughey. D'Unbelievables discuss their wedding act and perform a musical medley. Watch

• Saturday Live

  

  First broadcast 5 February 2000

  Guest host Dave Fanning chats to various guests in studio including his old friend Bono, as well as Louis Walsh and Cathy Kelly. Watch

• I'm Mike Murphy from RTÉ

  

  First broadcast 4 November 2007

  Long before 'Naked Camera' and 'Anonymous', RTÉ let loose the original king of hidden camera on the unsuspecting people of Ireland. The Americans had 'Candid Camera', the British had Jeremy Beadle and we had the effervescent Mike Murphy. Watch

• The Late Late Show

  

  First broadcast 23 October 1971

  Guests include Manchester United manager Matt Busby, television presenter Eamonn Andrews and actor and comedian Peter Sellers. Watch

• The Late Late Show

  

  First broadcast 18 December 1976

  A tribute to the acclaimed singer, actor, and comedian Maureen Potter. The panel include Fred O'Donovan of the Eamonn Andrews Studios, friend and agent to Maureen, Patricia Cahill who performed for a number of years with Maureen and Thelma Ramsey, Maureen's musical director and accompanist. Watch

• The Late Late Show

  

  First broadcast 2 January 1982

  A Late Late Show special celebrating 20 years of TV. Appearances by Michael O'Hehir, Mary Kenny, Bunny Carr, Tom McGurk and Dickie Rock. Watch

• Mailbag

  

  First broadcast 19 March 1987

  Presented by Arthur Murphy. Includes a letter from an anonymous Co. Laois viewer who queries changes in the RTÉ symbol across the years, including what has happened to RTÉ's St. Brigid's cross. Arthur interviews David Holden, RTÉ's Director of Public Affairs, on the subject. Watch

• Mailbag

  

  First broadcast 1 October 1987

  Presented by Arthur Murphy. Includes a letter from Mary O'Driscoll from Blarney St, Cork who writes in verse about the issue of Arthur's hair and how it might be dyed. Paddy Clark, a historian from RTÉ's Public Affairs Division, is interviewed about RTÉ viewers' history as well as early televisions. Watch

• The Late Late Show

  

  First broadcast 21 May 1999

  The last edition of 'The Late Late Show' with Gay Byrne at the helm. Guests include Billy Connolly, Salman Rusdie, Mary McAleese, Christy Moore, Val Doonican and Larry Mullen and Bono from U2. Watch

• Gaybo Laughs Back

  

  First broadcast 9 November 2008

  'Gaybo Laughs Back' is a six-part series that features some of the biggest names in comedy including, in this episode, Billy Connolly, Tommy Tiernan, Dylan Moran and Peter Sellers. Watch