Discovery is the first documentary television series to be broadcast on RTÉ.RTÉ Guide, 12 December 1971 The series started on 7 January 1964 with a programme on Dublin Airport.RTV Guide, 3 January 1964
The series producer was Charlie Scott, and Brian Cleeve was the presenter and scriptwriter. Each half-hour edition focused on a specific subject, such as a commercial or state enterprise, an aspect of Irish culture, or some notable feature of the country's landscape.Graham, Godfrey, Forty Years Behind the Lens at RTÉ, Ashfield Press, 2005
In December 1964, Brian Cleeve received a Jacobs' Award for his contribution to the programme.RTV Guide, 4 December 1964 However, in January 1966, it was announced that Cleeve was being dropped as the series' narrator because his voice was no longer felt to be suitable.Irish Press, "Cleeve Rumour Denied", 14 January 1966 Later that year, he left the programme completely to join the new 7 Days team.
Following Cleeve's departure, Discovery continued for another season using a number of alternative presenters, such as Paddy Gallagher, John Skehan, Michael Viney, and Terry Wogan.RTÉ Guide, 1 April 1966
In 2002, RTÉ screened digitally remastered versions of several of the original programmes. The topics covered included skydiving, mountaineering in the Wicklow mountains, and lighthouses off the Cork coast.
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