Directed by Niamh Sammon No. of episodes 4 First episode date 13 June 2005 Number of episodes 4 | Running time 4×52 minutes Original release 13 June – 4 July 2005 Final episode date 4 July 2005 | |
Similar On the Street Where Yo, Bertie, The Investigators, Charlie, Charlie Bird Explores | ||
Haughey episode one the outsider
Haughey is a four-part mini-series documenting the life of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey which was first broadcast on Irish television channel RTÉ One in June and July 2005. It was aired as part of RTÉ's summer schedule that year.
Contents
- Haughey episode one the outsider
- Haughey episode two a rise and follow
- List of episodes
- Reception
- Quotes from the papers
- References
Haughey is a creation of Mint Productions, the company founded by presenter Miriam O'Callaghan and her producer husband Steve Carson, responsible for the 2003's Fine Gael: A Family At War and later the 2008 Bertie documentary series. Unlike Bertie, which saw one of Haughey's successors as Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, give a "marathon" three-hour interview to the cameras and national television, Haughey could not be persuaded to take a direct part in the series. However, he did give his blessing to the involvement of his family and friends in co-operating with the programme.
Haughey episode two a rise and follow
List of episodes
Reception
The programme provoked much debate throughout its four-week run, drawing fire from many individuals, some with "already sharpened axes to grind anew". The series was accused of being "too soft" on its subject. Desmond O'Malley thought his screened interview unlike that which actually happened. Some of the interviewees were criticised as viewing their part "through the distorting mirror of bitterness or loyalty", whilst "others bore grudges, others were staking their positions for posterity". The series was noted for the wry contributions of former secretary to the government Dermot Nally, the contrasting observations of Haughey's son Seán with those of his daughter Eimear, and the performance of Pádraig Flynn before the camera, which was described as "utterly extraordinary". Questions were, however, raised if a better programme could have been made after Haughey's death when people would feel freer to speak.