RTÉ Factual's new 3-part series Secrets brings us behind the scenes of familiar areas of Irish life and puts us into the shoes of some remarkable people.
The series delves into the world of dancers in Secrets from the Dancefloor, sports coaches in Secrets from the Sidelines and delivery drivers in Secrets of a Delivery Driver.
Pretty much anything can be delivered to your doorstep and in the modern world, it is largely at the click of a button.
Secrets of a Delivery Driver gives a unique insight into to the many valuable delivery services that get your products from A to B.
The programme delves into an eclectic mix of services, from An Post to Deliveroo, Amazon to Bloodbikes, Meals on Wheels to Drone delivery.
Peppered throughout the documentary are a diverse range of characters, such as Sam Riza. He is one of the hundreds of Deliveroo riders working here. Providing a rare insight into such deliveries, we take to the streets of Dublin as Sam goes on his shift. Originally from Turkey, we learn why Sam has come to Ireland, what he has left behind to make his dreams come true and why working for Deliveroo works so well for him!
Under the cover of darkness, blood biker Jack O'Callaghan takes to the streets of the greater Dublin area as he transports emergency medical supplies. Working a nightshift from 7pm to 6am, Jack is on hand to help with any deliveries that must be made in the middle of the night and can’t be facilitated by hospitals. Viewers will get an opportunity to see how Bloodbikes services make such a difference to patients and their families. As jack says, " No matter how much stresses you have in your life, if your nearest or dearest is sick…just get that person fixed, one way or the other".
Staying on the night shift, we follow Dave Scullane as he prepares to start work while others get ready for a night’s sleep. The Lunch bag allows you to order food for your child on an app, and people like Dave travel to schools in the dead of night to make sure it’s at your kid’s desk the next morning! The dreaded school lunches have never been easier and Dave loves doing it! "You don’t have the hustle and bustle of day time traffic… Everyone needs time apart from their husbands or wives, this is my quiet time!".
Heading out west, we meet Carmel Moran and Maureen Quinn, who bring their inimitable charm when delivering Meals on Wheels to vulnerable people around the Castlebar area. Both retired, Carmel and Maureen have been volunteering for a number of years. As Carmel says " It’s not just the food. They want to chat, and that’s what it’s all about for us". As part of their route they pay a visit to 91 year old Ann Bourke, who loves seeing the meals on wheels gang land on her doorstep.
Moving away from the traditional, we will witness the phenomenon that is Manna Drone Delivery, who are taking delivery to new heights…literally! Order a coffee and croissant and it will land on your doorstep within minutes!
In this ever-evolving society, we witness what the future of deliveries could look like...
This and more will be revealed in Secrets of a Delivery Driver, Monday the 16th of October on RTÉ 1 - catch up with Secrets via RTÉ Player.
