TV3’s documentary series ‘Islanders’ premieres in April features Arranmore Island

Coming soon to a TV near you on TV3, Islanders is 4 part series following the lives of native islanders. Filmed in 2014, this observational documentary is the biggest in-house production undertaken by TV3 Productions.  Exploring the hidden treasures on the wild Atlantic way the series follows the highs and lows of island life.

Arainn Mhor Lighthouse Courtesy S. Mc Greevy

From Arranmore, Co. Donegal via Inishturk in Co. Mayo to Whiddy in Co.Cork, this four part series captures a way-of-life rapidly disappearing. 

Sunrise at Leab Garbh, Arainn Mhor Courtesy S. Mc Greevy

Set within breath-taking landscapes, the islanders’ stories are emotive, uplifting and told with honesty and frankness. Narrated by Irish actor Andrew Bennett (‘Angela’s Ashes’, ‘Garage’, ‘The Stag’), this is a landmark series for TV3 Productions and the BAI.  It is apt that Andrew is the narrator as he has recently starred as Davin in 'The Stag' aka 'The Bachelor Weekend' as Arranmore is famous for the craic and entertaining Stags and Hen Nights in the various pubs before arriving at Smuggler's Niteclub with lively music and spectacular views.

Islanders features stories including two brothers’ solemn promise to revive their island; a tug of loyalty between a mother’s children and her island; a long-distance love story set 14 kilometres out to sea;  A lone fisherman fighting bureaucracy to save his islands future and an embattled activist trying to galvanise her community.

Episode 1 begins 14 kilometres out from the Mayo coast, where the beautiful island of Inishturk reveals itself.  The series premiere also brings us down the coast to County Cork where we meet two contrasting brothers on Whiddy Island:Danny and Tim.  In Donegal, we meet Dr Shirley Gallagher (40s) – a typical Arranmore Islander, born off the island in London whilst her island parents were working there, the family were reared on Arranmore. Shirley is well-travelled, well-educated and well able to speak her mind.

Neilie, Muireann and Donna Courtesy Web

Also a resident of Arranmore is mild-mannered fisherman Neilie Kavanagh (40s). Although preparing for the busy season ahead, Neilie is heartbroken over the decline of the inshore fishing industry in Arranmore. He is the custodian of his father’s boat – the St. Anthony, built by his father on Arranmore over 40 years ago. Neilie has worked or lived all his life off the shores of Arranmore as an inshore fisherman.

A day at Donnelly's bog, Arainn Mhor Courtesy S. Mc Greevy

With many twists and turns along the way, Islanders will follow the lives and stories of these characters to learn what threatens their survival, to discover a different way of life, and to share in what it means to be an islander.