ANNE Lundon, a broadcaster for BBC ALBA and BBC Scotland, will take viewers on a journey along The Wild Atlantic Way, 1,600 miles of unique coastline which is rich in traditions, stories, character and language and attracts four million visitors each year.
Wild Atlantic Way, produced by Mast-Ard Studio for BBC ALBA, begins with counties, Cork and Kerry, and gives viewers the chance to experience one of the world’s longest coastal routes and the lives of those who exist by the sea frontier that defines them.
Wild Atlantic Way unearth’s some hidden gems of contemporary life, from the Southerly bay of Kinsale, County Cork, to the most Northerly town of Muff, Donegal.
Anne kicks off with music and chocolate – Scottish band, The Poosies play at a boat regatta and Anne visits chocolatier, Benoit Lorge, a native of Lorraine in France, who discovered great demand for his unique chocolate products and installed a purpose-made facility at Connor’s Family Shop and Post Office in Bonane, Co. Kerry.
Seanie Murphy takes tourists and pilgrims to the historic island of Skellig Micheal ( Na Scealaga) – a rocky outcrop with a sixth century Christian monastery. Though equally famous as a location for the world-famous Star Wars films – A Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
In County Clare, Orla Talty shares her family’s history of a livelihood from the shore. A fourth-generation seaweed harvester, Orla tells viewers about the history and the many health benefits from the variety of plants they process.
On the Loop Peninsula, Ailish Connolly runs the Kilbaha Gallery – a celebration of the best of arts and crafts within the area – giving local artists an outlet to sell their work but also establishing this spectacular peninsula as a must-see destination. Professional surfer-turned-eco farmer, Fergal Smith, combines his love of the sea with his work on the land. His farm works on a community ethos, encouraging people to visit, and experience each growing season.
From Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim – Anne begins with a masterclass in Irish step-dancing from Aveta Dortova – demonstrating not only her skill but the colourful, multi-cultural draw of Galway City.
In Clare Island Anne meets Chris O’ Grady – the local ferry operator, who introduces her to the story of one of the most infamous female pirates of the Irish coastline – Grace O’Malley. And butcher-turned-wood carver, Michael Quirke, combines his skill with beautiful wood carvings of mythical characters and creatures which draw on Celtic mythology.
The final stage takes Anne from the Aranmore Islands, to Donegal. Jerry Early recalls the bravery of the island lifeboat crew who attempted a rescue the Dutch steamer the Stolwijk in 1940, rescuing 18 men.
Inspired to write a song about the event which had been almost lost in local history – he successfully raised enough from the profits of its sale to erect a memorial in their honour. And Áine Ní Churrain, the award-winning presenter of the Barrscetala magazine programme, broadcast daily on RTE Radio na
Gaeltachta. The programme has a loyal following both in Ireland and among the Irish speaking diaspora.
Wild Atlantic Way airs on New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1), and on the following three Wednesdays, January 8, 15 and 22 from 8.30pm to 9pm and will also be available on the BBC iPlayer.
Issued by Electrify Marketing & Communications on behalf of MG ALBA.
MEDIA RELEASE issued by Electrify Marketing & Communications. You too can share your stories (aka press or media releases), on this site. Email here for more information.
Check out twitter.com/scotsbulletin for your very own media releases feed…
Check out too twitter.com/allMediaNews and twitter.com/allTravelPR.
Stay connected with our various twitter feeds: Charities, Drink, Education, Energy, Fashion, Film, Food, Gardens, Legal, Motors, Music, Outdoors, Property, Science and Sports. And not forgetting Finance, Theatre, Travel, Festivals, Visual Arts, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling.
Electrify Marketing & Communications contact details…
Contact: Laura Sturrock
Email: laura@electrify.me.uk
