Artists from Mayo star in Wild Atlantic Way: A Musical Journey
A new four-part music special of one-hour episodes, featuring the cream of entertainers from the Wild Atlantic Way, will broadcast on TG4, commencing on Sunday, June 11.
Wild Atlantic Way: A Musical Journey will feature traditional musicians, dancers, singers and folk groups from Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Galway.
The shows were recorded in the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, and are presented by Henry McGlade of TV IRELAND and Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile of TG4.
The first programme has a strong Sligo connection and will air on TG4 on Sunday, June 11, at 8.30 p.m. The O’Donnell Family Folk Group, Cathy Jordan of Dervish fame, Seamie O’Dowd, Colemans Trad Group, music legend Carmel Gunning, The Bhoys of Ballisodare Sea Shanty Choir, Fr. James Mc Donagh Traditional Group and Bróga Bríomhar Dance School all feature in the programme. This episode will be repeated on Wednesday, June 13, at 7.30 p.m.
The following week (Sunday, June 18) features a magnificent Mayo line-up, including the Murphy Sisters Folk Group, ace accordion player Dave Munnelly, sean nós dancer Tommy Stenson, the Mayo Pipers, Atlantic Rhythm Dance Troupe, top contemporary group Billow Wood, Ragus, and the Tiernan Family. This show will be repeated on Wednesday, June 21, at 7.30 p.m.
Some wonderful entertainers from Co. Leitrim feature in the third episode on Sunday, June 25. Those include the Garadice Trad Group, Gan Ainm Folk Group, singer Charlie McGettigan, Bellhavel Trad Group, and ballad singer Fionnuala Maxwell.
The final show on Sunday, July 2, features some fantastic Galway talent, including singer-songwriter Ultan Conlon, Back West Trad Group, traditional singer Caitriona Ni Cheannabháin, Leo Moran and Padraig Stevens, and The Whileaways.
The shows were made possible through funding which the TF Royal Theatre received from the LLPPS funding scheme.
Micheál Ó Ciaraidh, a well-known Irish broadcaster and television producer produced the shows, while lighting and sound was provided by Frankie McDonald, of Castlebar.
Wild Atlantic Way: A Musical Journey will air over four weeks on TG4 and the TG4 Player.