Irish Travel Show Returns For Second Series | The Irish Film & Television Network

As An Ghaeilge is now an official language of the EU, travel show ‘Thar Sáile’ explores the status of the Irish Language in some of Europe’s major cities.

The first series of ‘Thar Sáile’ was described by Pól Ó Múirí, Eagarthóir Gaeilge, of The Irish Times as “Thar Sáile- Thar Barr!”

Now in its second series, once again the Thar Sáile team, finds an eclectic and entertaining group of Gaeilgóirs. One might think, that these were all ex pats, however the show has discovered many Europeans are learning Irish in classes all over the continent.

For the new series, presenters (Pádraic Ó Neachtain, Ann Marie Ní Dhubhchóin, Lucinda Ní Ghloinn, and Brighid Breathnach) will visit Vienna, Berlin, Athens, Amsterdam, Oslo, Paris, Madrid and Brussels, showing the viewers what each city has to offer.

In the first programme, Donegal native Ann Marie Ní Dhubhchóin, explores the musical city of Vienna. She meets Therese Illes who tells her about Vienna’s History, and how and why she as an Austrian decided to learn Irish. She visits the city’s famous coffee house, where Freud and Hitler once frequented, and The Spanish Riding School.

“Thar Sáile gives the TG4 audience a chance to see the Irish Language in an International context.” Says Liam Lavelle, Executive Producer. ”It’s amazing to meet Austrian, German, and Greek people who are inspired to learn our native language”

‘Thar Sáile’ is made by the same experienced team, which produced An Tuath Nua, and Luach ár Linne for RTÉ for TG4. These include Ann Marie Ní Dhubhchóin (Rip-Off Republic, An Tuath Nua, Feud) Dermot O’ Hanlon (Luach ár Linne, Heist), Deirdre Learmont (TG4/RTÉ’s Ardán, Aon Scéal) Deirdre Callanan (Ear to the Ground, The Model Agent) Brighid Breathnach (Paisean Faisean, Cósta Uí Chatháin) Conor Byrne (The Dealers, Bia’s Bóthar) and Anna Ní Chaoimh (Ar Bhóithrín na Smaointe, Luach ár Linne).

‘Thar Sáile’ began on the Wednesday 7th of January and will be broadcast every Wednesday at 7.30pm, repeated on Fridays at 8.30pm. The series is produced by Independent Pictures for RTÉ for TG4.

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