Mayo features strongly in new RTÉ series Masters: Keepers of Tradition

MASTERS: Keepers of Tradition is a new documentary series focusing on Irish practitioners of rare, traditional, and remarkable crafts and skills.

Inspired by the iconic series Hands, which first aired on RTÉ in the late '70s and gave a powerful insight into the lives and work of Irish craftspeople, it aims to bring contemporary artisans back into the public consciousness, while also shedding light on the current state of the craft community in Ireland.

Among the six craftspeople featured in the series is handweaver Beth Moran on Clare Island, along with basket weaver Joe Hogan from Lough na Fooey, while blacksmith John Hogan takes on a project at Westport House.

Beth Moran landed on Clare Island as a young American photographer 40 years ago and never left. In episode two of the series we see her sending a piece of the island - woven by her own hand - all the way to Brussels.

Episode five features John Hogan who, while he never took to books, understood metal instinctively. And when a crumbling Victorian gate at Westport House needed saving, there was only one man for the job.

The landmark series, made with the support of The Heritage Council and Coimisiún na Meán, aims to champion local master craftpeople, showcase their skills and trades, and show how they have endured and diversified since the series Hands finished.

Each episode will focus on one Irish craftsperson and their craft. But more than delivering a one-dimensional demo of the work they do, it will also delve into the person they are, their motivations, the family and neighbours who influenced them, and, of course, their physical environs.

In each episode, viewers will follow the creative process as the artisan takes on a local commission and witness how it affects them and the commissioner when it’s finished.

The series is produced by produced by Tiny Big Films Ltd. and commences on Monday, April 27, at 8.30 p.m. on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.