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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Neilie, Muireann and Donna Courtesy Web |
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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.
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| 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.