Funded by TV3 and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, ‘Islanders’ is a four-part series produced by TV3 Productions, currently airing on TV3 on Wednesday nights at 9pm.
Filmed in 2014, this observational documentary is the biggest in-house production undertaken by TV3 Productions. From Arranmore, Co. Donegal via Inishturk in Co. Mayo to Whiddy in Co.Cork, this documentary series captures a way-of-life rapidly disappearing.
Set within breath-taking landscapes, the islanders’ stories are emotive, uplifting and told with honesty and frankness.
The show is produced and directed by Richard Stearn who said: ‘Islanders’ was a terrific opportunity for TV3 to demonstrate its skill & experience. More importantly, with the BAI’s backing, it gave us an opportunity to make a landmark documentary series in a rural setting but in a very TV3 style: entertaining, contemporary & true-to-life. By capturing the drama at the heart of our islanders lives we knew viewers would love to follow the fortunes of these people as much as we did. By casting islanders whose lives were emblematic of issues facing islanders today we hoped we could shed light on this fantastic way-of-life that is both challenging & rewarding.’
With many twists and turns along the way, ‘Islanders’ follows the lives and stories of these characters over a tumultuous year; to learn what threatens their survival, to discover a different way of life, and to share in what it means to be an islander.’
Narrated by actor Andrew Bennett (‘The Stag’, ‘Angela’s Ashes’), the Executive Producer for TV3 was Owen McArdle while the Executive Producer for the BAI was Nuala Dormer. TV3’s Ronan McIntyre was the DOP of the series while the sound mix was provided John Mullen and editing by Alistair Mayes, both in-house at the 3studios. The researcher of the series was Rachel ní Ealaithe.
Stearn continued: ‘It’s the largest scale in-house production undertaken by TV3. Two months in development, we filmed over ten months visiting each island monthly and spent four months in post. With the support of the BAI it shows the best of Irish life and also reflects the best of TV3’s production talent.’
'Islanders' is currently airing on TV3 on Wednesday nights at 9pm.
