‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír’ is a captivating four-part factual entertainment series that gives a unique insight into the modes of travel used by sea to link the islands off Ireland to the mainland from the 1950s to the present day.
From balancing cars on half-deckers, mothers and newborn babies being rowed home in currachs, food supplies arriving in punts and yawls, and kids being ferried to attend school on the mainland – life was never easy for islanders!
Island life for Ireland’s offshore islands
This documentary series, told in the Irish language, will give an in-depth look at what it was like crossing between the Irish islands and mainland from the 1950s to the present day. We hear stories recounting the treacherous journeys, weird and wonderful cargoes crossing and unique modes of transport used. We see how technology has changed these journeys and, with the introduction of modern, purpose-built ferries, how life has improved for islanders.
The story of ‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír’ will be told by the colourful characters who were passengers on board, navigating the unpredictable seas in all manner of vessels, and the hardy souls responsible for getting them from A to B, be it for work, education, medical care or simply the weekly shop.
‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír’ is an intimate and gripping series that dives deep into the dramatic and often dangerous sea journeys that have shaped island life through the decades. Through powerful storytelling and stunning visuals, it celebrates the resilience, courage, and spirit of Ireland’s island communities.
Set against the stunning backdrops of Oileán Chléire and Inis Arcáin in County Cork, Árainn Mhór and Inis Mhic an Doirn in County Donegal, and Inis Bó Finne, Inis Oírr, and Inis Mór in County Galway, Ó Mhuir Go Tír features some of the biggest events on the islands. From the All-Islands Gaelic tournament and Féile Róise Rua to the bustling summer Irish colleges on the islands.
Along the way, we hear from some familiar faces, including actress and Inis Mór native Fionnuala Ní Fhlaithearta and renowned musician and singer Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich.
‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír’ will offe viewers a powerful look at the history, culture, and daily realities of life on Ireland’s offshore islands. Produced by HG Productions, the series highlights the resilience of island communities and the enduring connections between land, sea, and people.
Series information:
Episode 1 15/10
In episode 1 of ‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír’’ viewers will get unique insight into the modes of travel used by sea to link the islands off Ireland to the mainland from the 1950s to the present day. From rowing boats and currachs to flats, punts, yawls and half deckers to the modern ferries used today. We see how technology has changed these journeys and, with the introduction of modern, purpose-built ferries, how life has improved for thousands of islanders. We follow cargo and food deliveries to Cape Clear, Arranmore, Inishbofin, Sherkin and Inis Mór island as we compare and contrast how cargo and food supplies arrived on the islands through the decades.
Former shopkeeper and Sherkin Islander, Maureen O’Neill, tells us of the trials and tribulations of running an island shop and we look at the impact of fishing and emigration on island communities. On Arranmore, we join Fr John and Arranmore Islanders for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Episode 2 22/10
In episode 2 of ‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír’’ we follow teachers and pupils travelling to Arranmore Island on the daily commute to secondary school. We join parents and primary school children on Sherkin Island making the 10-minute daily commute to the mainland for school and meet secondary school students from the mainland who have come to live on Inis Oírr for secondary education. We hear heartbreaking stories of islanders who had to leave their island homes at 12 years of age for boarding school on the mainland in the 1970s and 1980s. On Cape Clear, Róisín Ní Chonaill and Niamh Ní Dhrisceoil share their love of island life and their fears for the future of the island.
We’re on Arranmore Island for Féile Róise Rua as RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is broadcast live from the island. We celebrate the music and culture of the festival with some familiar faces including renowned musician and singer, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich.
Episode 3 29/10
In episode 3 of ‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír’ we join the Irish summer college travelling across to Cape Clear, Arranmore and Inis Mór. We look back at the Irish colleges in the 70s, 80s, and 90s as former pupils, teachers and boatmen share stories about that time. We meet actress Fionnuala Ní Fhlaithearta at home on Inis Mór as she talks about island life, her acting career, ‘Kneecap movie’ and ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ being filmed on the island.
We join Seán Boyle, a TY student from Arranmore, as he works on The Arranmore Ferry as part of his work experience. We meet an array of business owners who provide services to the islands including Andrew Murray from the Doonmore Hotel on Inishboffin who shares tales of running a hotel on an island and how the modes of transport through the decades have impacted their business.
Episode 4 5/11
In episode 4 of ‘Ó Mhuir Go Tír we join football teams and spectators from islands near and far as they compete to win the All-Islands football tournament on Arranmore Island. We hear from supporters who have travelled along to support the teams as they battle it out for the prize.
On Cape Clear the McCann family reunites for the June bank holiday weekend. We see Aisling and her young family enjoying their weekend and hear from Aisling’s parents, Kevin and Jude, what it was like when they first moved from Liverpool to the island in the 90s.
We tell the story of the Arranmore disaster as islanders on Arranmore remember that terrible tragedy, which happened on 9th November 1935. On Inis Oírr we meet Áine Seoighe, owner of Éalú Aran yoga and meditation retreats.
Ó Mhuir go Tír | Ag tosú 15/10 @ 21:30 | TG4 ?
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