In 1946, in an act of defiance against the local clergy, a group of local men in Listowel, Co. Kerry force open the locked gates into the Parish Church.

This action by the townspeople of Listowel never makes it into the newspapers, nor is it recorded anywhere else at the time. In fact, the incident has largely faded from the town’s memory yet has never been forgotten by some. What was it that drove a normally compliant congregation to challenge the local Parish Priest, Canon Patrick Brennan's, dominion?

Behind this act of defiance lies the story of a young woman named Peggy McCarthy, whose tragic death in childbirth resulted in the local clergy refusing to let her body lie in the church overnight before her burial. Subsequently, an alliance between Church and State has had a devastating impact on three generations of Peggy's family - including on the daughter she gave birth to, Breda - which persists right up to the present day.

Famed balladeer Séan McCarthy wrote a song, Shame, Love, In Shame, about the young woman at the centre of these events. Peggy was Séan's younger sister. Years later, Peggy's story also inspired local Listowel playwright Tony Guerin to write the play 'Solo Run'.

Documentary On One: In Shame, Love, In Shame looks at the events behind this story, of Peggy's life, of her daughter Breda's life, of how the people of Listowel rallied round and defended Peggy - and of what happened before and since those Church gates were rammed open in 1946.

Since first broadcast, In Shame, Love, In Shame has won Gold at Ondas, AIB Media, IMRO Awards including first prize at the  International Documentary category at the 14th International Radio Festival of Iran. As well as a finalist certificate at the 2019 New York Festivals and 2nd at 2019 Prix Italia. While also being shortlisted at Sandford St. Martin.

Narrated by Conor Keane

Produced by Conor Keane and Liam O'Brien

First Broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, Saturday 18th August 2018 

Repeated Saturday 29th December 2018 @1pm

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries

i) International Radio Winner Premios Ondas (Spain) ii) Winner AIB Media Awards (London) iii) Best Radio Documentary Celtic Media iv) Best Documentary IMRO v) International Radio Winner - Radio Festival of Iran vi) Finalist NY Festivals & Sandford Awards