This documentary originally aired in 2016 on Newstalk. Here's the original blurb:

This weekend's Documentary on Newstalk tells the story of the incredible history of a building situated in Limerick city… 

In 1989, Seamus Flynn entered a disused cinema with plans to open a multi-purpose venue. Noticing three large domes on the ceiling, he pondered that the building must have been used for something other than a mere cinema. He was told that it was originally The Limerick Athenaeum and that Houdini had performed there. While he never found Houdini, he did find a building which was part of the cultural fabric of Limerick since the mid 19th century.

In Limerick’s Temple of Culture, producer Ciarán Ryan unravels the story of the building on Upper Cecil Street where figures as diverse as Maud Gonne, John McCormack, Roger Casement, The Prodigy, Boyzone and Brendan O’Carroll all appeared. Those who recall the building as both the Royal Cinema (1947-85) and The Theatre Royal (1989-1997) will reminisce on their experiences of the large theatre, while historical records and expertise will also feature. Hear about how it took thirty years to buy an organ, first trips to the cinema, packed homecoming gigs from The Cranberries, the filming of Fr. Ted, and what happened when a member of a famous hip hop act didn’t make it to the stage!

Amongst those who feature in the 45-minute programme alongside Seamus Flynn are the likes of Noel Hogan from The Cranberries, Stuart Clark of Hot Press, music manager and former Theatre Royal promoter Joe Clarke, Declan McLoughlin of the Limerick Film Archive, historian Dr. Matthew Potter, and many more.

For a city centre without a theatre of such a scale and flexibility now, the documentary will also examine why it has been vacant for almost twenty years and whether or not there is a future for it.

'Limerick’s Temple of Culture’ was produced and presented by Ciarán Ryan. Additional Voiceover by Cian O’Siochain.

The project was supported by a grant from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound and Vision Scheme.

Limerick's Temple of Culture (2016)

Promo for new radio documentary 'This Ain't No Party', which tells the story of the RTÉ television programme No Disco, which aired from 1993-2003. 

Produced and presented by Ciarán Ryan
Broadcast Date: Monday, May 21st at 5pm (with repeat on Thursday, May 28th at 5pm)
Station: RTÉ 2XM

This Ain't No Party Promo

Donal Dineen and Colm O'Callaghan talk about the earliest editions of the programme.

This Ain't No Party - Preview Clip 1

This Ain't No Party - Preview Clip 2

This Ain't No Party - Preview Clip 3

This Ain't No Party - Preview Clip 4

‘This Ain’t No Party’ was broadcast on RTÉ 2XM (2xm.rte.ie) on Monday, May 21, at 5pm, with repeat broadcast on Thursday, May 24, at 5pm. It was produced and presented by Ciarán Ryan. The documentary was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, through the television licence fee.

This Ain't No Party Documentary

Soundcloud page for a one-off radio documentary 'This Ain't No Party', telling the story of No Disco, a RTÉ music television programme that ran from 1993-2003.

Doc aired on RTÉ 2XM on Monday, 21 May 2018.

This Ain't No Party

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