Tag Archives: TG4

From top: Aoife Rafter; Aisling Gallagher; Sarah and Adrian McVann and their lockdown baby; Margaret Franklin

Saol Faoi Ghlas – an chéad dianghlasáil.

A lockdown documentary by Midas Productions on TG4.

Linda Ni Ghriofa writes:

In March 2020, our lives were turned upside down as we were forced to come to grips with the implications of living under the shadow of a global pandemic. Following unique characters and stories, Saol Faoi Ghlas captures an unprecedented time in Ireland’s history as it explores the added challenges living under lockdown.

Featuring a mixture of self-shot and documentary footage from characters in every province in Ireland, this documentary is a snapshot into a time where we as a people struggled with the new demands placed on us. Despite the personal hardship suffered by those featured in this documentary, this is ultimately a story of hope that reminds us of our resilience and strength as individuals and as communities…

Featuring…

Aoife Rafter is cocooning in her family home in Naas, county Kildare. Having lived with Cystic Fibrosis all her life, she knows only too well how devasting a respiratory illness could be for her. Just before lockdown, Aoife finished treatment for Cervical Cancer and now finds herself without clinics, check-ups or medical support and her world confined to just a few rooms.

In Tullamore Leaving Cert student Aisling Gallagher finds herself studying online and wondering if her exams will take place at all. Her dreams of studying in Trinity college are compromised as her final milestones in secondary school disappear.

Sarah and Adrian McVann from Westport are expecting their first baby in the middle of a pandemic and are faced with the reality that many expectant couples found themselves in as Sarah will enter the maternity ward alone.

Because she is over 70, Margaret Franklin has been asked to cocoon. Unable to visit family and friends, she fills her week with online choir practice, online courses and exercise classes. Despite being determined to keep active, Margaret feels abandoned by the blanket cocooning advice and lack of freedom the restrictions mean for her.

Saol Faoi Ghlas – an chéad dianghlasáil at 9.30pm, Wednesday, November 18, on TG4.

Eva-Jane Gaffney as Aoife (above) and Eoin Ó Dubhghaill as Declan (top)

‘Le Ceangal, a Zoomcom!’

A new Covid-set web romantic drama on TG4’s young people’s platform Bloc.

Linda Ní Ghríofa writes:

Having met on Tinder, Galway-based Declan (24) and Dubliner Aoife (25) have gone on five tentative dates. Just as they are about to broach the tricky ‘should we both come off Tinder now?’ question, they are locked up in lockdown. In two different cities. With two different Wifi speeds. And their blossomming relationship is now on life-support…

This brand new comedy series is devised and directed by Oisín Mistéil.

You’ve heard of Sleepless in Seattle, well here you have Gormless in Galway, and Hapless in Howth…

The first 2 episodes will be available at 1pm on June 26 (at link below) and weekly thereafter.

BlocTG4

Course you are.

Packie Bonner (top) recalls that penalty shootout for Spórt TG4 ahead of tonight’s World Cup Gold on TG4.

Deirdre Ní Choistín writes:

A gem from the Sports Archives, the second round of the Italia 1990 FIFA World Cup. There was never been a moment in the history of Irish Football like this. The date was the 25th June 1990 and the venue was the Stadio Luigi Farraris in Genoa. The golden age of Irish soccer provides the basis for this archive-based international soccer series. Jack Charltons Irish team included such players as Packie Bonner, Ray Houghton, Mick McCarthy, John Aldridge, David O’Leary, Paul McGrath and Kevin Moran.

World Cup Gold on TG4  at 7:30pm.

Staying in Thursday?

Course you are.

Linda Ni Ghriofa writes:

‘Hector Anseo’ is a 6-part series of one-hour programmes that will transcend the lockdown.

They will begin with Hector in his own shed talking to the nation, building their hope, championing their survival skills but will, we hope, be a shining light to the nation as Hector like us all will be unleashed and freed.

Joining Hector for the first episode are Michael Healy Rae, Gráinne Seoige from South Africa, Trevor Brennan – former Ireland, Leinster + Toulouse rugby player and now a publican, live from Toulouse, Dan Shanahan – Ex Waterford hurler All-Star, Conor Moore – Golf Impersonator and Gavin James – Award Winning Singer Songwriter.

Any excuse.

‘Hector Anseo’ on TG4 on Thursday at 9.30pm.

Diarmuid ‘Gizzy’ Lyng

Staying in Thursday?

Laochra Gael [Heroes of the Gaels) on TG4.

Linda Ní Ghríofa writes:

Diarmuid “Gizzy” Lyng was captain and leader of a Wexford team that performed heroics in their efforts to overcome Kilkenny, the greatest team of all time.

Then, at the height of his powers, he was struck down by a mysterious illness. He was forced to give up hurling and it seemed that life was falling apart.

Diarmuid travelled the world in search of physical and mental recovery. And it was in West Kerry, a place close to his heart that he finally found release.

Laochra Gael: Gizzy  at 9.30pm on TG4.

Pic: TG4

Gafa sna Líonta

A new TG4 documentary by Midas Productions that asks: why, despite having the richest fishing waters in Europe, are Ireland’s fishing industry and fishing communities swimming against the tide?

Via TG4:

Gafa sna Líonta tells the stories of those struggling to make a living and to make ends meet on our coastline.

Filmed in the fishing towns of Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Heilbhic, this immersive documentary chronicles the challenges each season brings on sea and on land for our coastal communities.

Frank and honest interviews with the fishermen who find themselves trapped by quotas and who are heavily policed by Irish and EU regulations give this documentary a here and now approach to an ongoing problem concerning one of our richest natural resources.

The documentary features just some of the many types of fishing taking place our shores by our native fishermen.

From Pelagic to Potting, Seining to gillnetting, the documentary offers just a taste of the life of a fisherman and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Gafa sna Líonta on Wednesday 8th January 2020 on TG4 at 9.30pm.

Fear Darb Ainm Harris

A documentary exploring Richard Harris’ extraordinary life on TG4 on New Year’s Day.

Linda Ní Ghríofa writes:

Produced by Dearg Films and featuring exclusive interviews with some of Hollywood’s elite, including Clint Eastwood, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert Duvall, Ridley Scott, Jim Sheridan, Gabriel Byrne and Stephen Rea, this documentary explores Harris’ fascinating and colourful life both on and off screen.

Fear Darb Ainm Harris on TG4 on New Year’s Day at 9.30pm.

‘Saol an Mhadra Bháin’.

(‘The Secret World of Working Dogs’)

A two-part bilingual documentary series on TG4 which tells the stories of people “whose lives are dramatically changed and improved by their newly established partnerships with their Working Dog”.

Deirdre Ní Choistín writes

This unique and heart-warming series brings us into the homes and lives of those living with serious health challenges as we capture how these amazing animals transform their lives.

Over two episodes, Saol an Mhadra Bháin reveals the unique bond between human and dog and shows the difference working dogs can make for those living with visual impairment, autism, diabetes, epilepsy, severe scoliosis and muscular dystrophy…

Take that, cats.

‘Saol an Mhadra Bháin’ on Wednesday  November 27 and December  4 at 21:30 on TG4.