The series premiere of ‘Tales of Irish Castles’ airs this Sunday on TV3. Produced by Sideline, the series will take the audience on an educational journey throughout Ireland, where more castles were built than in the rest of the British Isles combined. The six part series is presented by Simon Delaney (‘The Fall’, ‘Roy’, ‘Delivery Man’).
The series explores the great stories and characters associated with the most beautiful, notorious and historical castles built across the country. They are portrayed through specially shot re-enactments, archive footage and contributions from Ireland’s leading historians, archaeologists, castle owners and dwellers.
According to Billy McGrath, creative director and co-founder of Sideline (the production company that was also behind ‘The Great Irish Bake Off’), ‘Tales of Irish Castles’ is “the biggest series we have ever produced in theme, scale and timeline. Episode 1 starts in the 12th century and the series ends in the present day.”
Episode 1 documents the political state of Ireland in the 12th century which led to the invasion of the Normans in 1169. The Normans introduced the concept of castle building to Ireland and before long castles began to spring up throughout the country. This episode explores some of the earliest Norman castles in Ireland in Dublin, Trim, Carrickfergus, Limerick and Ashford Castle in Mayo, which is now a 5 star hotel. There will also be exclusive home movie footage of the legendary American actor John Wayne, who stayed at the hotel when he was filming John Ford’s ‘The Quiet Man’.
Other Irish castles featured throughout the series include Luttrellstown in Dublin, Kilkenny Castle, Dunamaise Castle in Laois, Clonony, Birr, Charleville and Leap Castles in Offaly, Cahir Castle in Tipperary, Dunluce Castle in Antrim, Aughrim Castle in Galway, Tullynally Castle in Westmeath, Castle Leslie in Monaghan, and Blarney Castle in Cork.
‘Tales of Irish Castles’ is produced by Sideline Productions and funded by the BAI. The series is hosted by Simon Delaney, produced by Una Shinners and directed by Sarah Share. Ken O’Mahoney was DoP. Owen McArdle is TV3’s commissioning executive.
The first episode of the new series airs this Sunday at 6.15pm on TV3.
