On Irish television this week, the line-up kicks off the newly announced Autumn schedule from RTÉ, with TV3 and TG4 to follow with their respective schedules in the coming days.
This week sees RTÉ’s ground-breaking ‘Keeping Ireland Alive’ documentary series reach our screens for the first time, alongside other series and one of the most successful Irish documentaries of 2015.
‘Keeping Ireland Alive’: Monday August 29th, 21:35 on RTÉ One
This five-part documentary series is produced by Independent Pictures for RTÉ. The series saw seventy-five camera crews enter the health service with unprecedented behind-the-scenes access.
Channel Controller for RTÉ One and RTÉ2 Adrian Lynch describes the project as follows:
“This is a warts-and-all documentary series that recognises the great work being carried out on the ground by frontline staff but which is unflinchingly honest in acknowledging that the system isn’t perfect.”
‘Older than Ireland’: Wednesday August 31st, 21:35 on RTÉ One
Alex Fagan’s award-winning documentary enjoys its TV premiere, having already reached international acclaim. Thirty Irish centenarians reflect on their lives, from birth at the dawn of Irish independence, to the present in modern day Ireland, including events such as their wedding day.
‘Find Me a Home’: Thursday September 1st, 20:30 on RTÉ One
This six-part observational documentary series follows the trials and tribulations of those trying to buy, rent or sell a home in the current property market. In the first episode first-time buyers Suzanne and Maria attend their first auction in Galway.
'Smalltown’: Thursday September 1st, 22:00 on TV3
Gerard Barrett’s sees Pat Shortt adopt an unusually serious role for the comedy actor. Shortt plays a father whose son who has emigrated to London. The narrative follows Conor and friend Fergus’ emotional experience of leaving home and returning to troubled families and a changed Ireland.
Barrett has described the three-part series as a continuation of his work, in its investigation of real-life themes affecting people living in rural Ireland.
'Smalltown' is produced by Blank Page Productions.
Other Television Highlights
Also on the small screen this week is series ‘Great Irish Journeys’, beginning Tuesday, 16:40 on RTÉ One. The series examines the stories of famous Irish journeys and originally aired on 2015. Gráinne Seoige leads the first of four episodes, and traces the footsteps of Unionist philosopher Thomas Carlyle and his Nationalist politician friend Charles Gavan Duffy, who spent a month touring the country together.
In sport Republic of Ireland take on Oman in an international soccer friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with commentary by George Hamilton.
See IFTN's TV Highlights for full listings
