TG4’s landmark series on Irish townlands and their communities returns this month for its fourth season.
The award-winning series ‘Bailte’ returns for its fourth season with Síle Nic Chonaonaigh continuing her journey through the townlands of Ireland.
There are over 60,000 townlands in Ireland and they remain one of the pillars of modern Irish life. On this journey, Síle explores the resilience of Ireland's rural communities and reveals the deep connection people have with their townland and how local landscapes and traditions remain a constant influence on daily lives.
The series is a celebration of the hard-working and vibrant communities who are doing their very best to ensure their own community is more than just a mere layby and a pretty stop-off along the Wild Atlantic Way. With rural Ireland as a spectacular backdrop, ‘Bailte’ provides a distinctive and honest portrayal of life in Ireland today.
The show visits a different townland and its respective community each week to learn what life is like there. As well as the many advantages of living in rural townlands, the series also shares the difficulties of living in remote areas, such as rural depopulation, a lack of basic services, unemployment and the uncertain futures of both the farming and fishing industries.
Among the townlands visited in this series are Leitir Ard and An Bóthar Buí in Galway, Tóraigh in Co. Donegal, Baile na nGall in Waterford, and Clochán Bréanainn on the Dingle Peninsula.
Episode 1: Clochán Breánainn 9/5 8pm
TG4
Síle visits Clochán Breánainn, on the northern side of Leithinis an Daingin where poet Micheál Ó Ruairc shows her some local points of interest, including the Church where Crom Dubh’s statue once stood. She meets renowned sheep shearer Thomas O’Connor and takes a trip to see An Sás with Eugene Lyne. Her attempt to serve ice-cream for Pádraig Ó Murchú of Murphy’s Pub doesn’t quite go to plan but she might win a hand or two playing cards under Máiréad Ní Dhubhda’s keen eye. Síle finishes her visit to the area with a night of music and song at the Tinteán Ceoil, a favourite for locals and visitors.
Episode 2: Leitir Ard 9/12 8pm
TG4
As Síle Ní Chonaonaigh continues on her journey through the townlands of Ireland she visits the coastal village of Leitir Ard in Carna, Conamara, County Galway. Situated on the eastern coast of Cuan na Beirtrí Buí with panoramic views of Roundstone and the Twelve Bens mountain range, Síle finds a progressive community keen to continue their maritime traditions and pastimes. As well as meeting boatbuilders, fishermen, yoga instructors and members of a newly formed Sailing club she also meets the renowned sean-nós singer Johnny Mháirtín Learaí Mac Donnchadha.
Episode 3: Toraigh 9/19 8pm
TG4
Toraigh is Ireland’s most northerly inhabited island and seeing as it’s situated over nine miles from Donegal’s northwest coast, it’s certainly the remotest area Síle has visited so far. Amongst those who Síle meets during this programme are Anton Meenan, who regales Síle with tales from the Bronze Age, Marjorie Carroll who tells Síle about the islanders’ plans for the future, and Willie Ghráinne Ó Dubhgáin, the captain of the Tor Dearg who takes her on a boat trip around the island’s stunning Atlantic coastline.
Episode 4: Baile na nGall 9/26 8pm
TG4
Baile na nGall is situated in County Waterford in Gaeltacht na nDéise. Surrounded by Heilbhic, Maoil an Chóirne and Cnocán an Phaoraigh, this is the smallest of Rinn Ó gCuanach’s townlands. With Baile na nGall Mór and Baile na nGall Beag, it is flanked to the north and to the south by the sea with views across the bay of the Comeragh Mountains. In this programme, Síle meets singers and writers who show her the wealth of creativity to be found in the area, as well as those who once left but who returned to their homeplace. She also visits Criostal na Rinne, a crystal studio workshop, to try her hand at designing a piece of her own.
Episode 5: Bóthar Buí 10/3 8pm
TG4
As Síle Ní Chonaonaigh continues on her journey through the townlands of Ireland she visits An Bóthar Buí, An Cheathrú Rua in the Conamara Gaeltacht, an area steeped in history. Síle gains an insight into the Land War of the 1800s, during which locals bravely resisted rent enforcers, making the Battle of Carraroe a source of pride here. As well as meeting a local artist, florist and a Ukrainian family she also meets songwriter Tomás Mac Eoin, whose lyrics still resonate today. Tradition weaves through modern life, and a community's spirit endures.
The series begins on Thursday, September 5th at 8pm on TG4.
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