The new RTÉ adventure series Uncharted follows former special forces soldier Ray Goggins as he leads well-known Irish figures on intense outdoor expeditions through some of the world’s most remote and dangerous terrains.
Ray Goggins challenges each participant to go far beyond their comfort zones in a true test of survival and resilience. Participants include Leo Varadkar, Lyra, Kneecap, Joe Canning, Thomas Barr, Ellen Keane and Ashling Thompson.
According to the synopsis: “Each week, Ray challenges a new well-known pairing with a physically and mentally demanding adventure, designed to push each participant to their limits. As they face the wild together, the experience becomes more than just an adrenaline rush — it’s a deeply emotional journey. Bonds are forged, stories shared, and vulnerabilities surface, as Ray guides participants through a transformative wilderness challenge. Will these experiences reveal something new to the viewer about these well-known personalities?”
Watch the official trailer
The line-up includes former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who teams up with singer Lyra to travel with Ray to the wild untamed mountains of Drakensberg, South Africa. They camp in caves, climb steep peaks, and hike to the top of Tugela Falls—one of the world’s tallest waterfalls.
IFTA nominated rap trio Kneecap join Ray in the far north for a five-day Arctic challenge, facing freezing temperatures that can drop below minus 40 and harsh conditions that force them to seek shelter. Meanwhile, Paralympic gold medallist Ellen Keane and camogie star Ashling Thompson head to Bolivia for a seven-day trek along the notorious ‘Death Road’, covering nearly 100km through cloud forest, rivers, and mountain terrain as they push toward a 6,088-metre summit in the Andes.
Champion hurler Joe Canning and track star Thomas Barr join Ray in Colombia for a tough five-day journey through class five river rapids, facing unfamiliar challenges and hazardous wildlife as they make their way back to civilisation.
The four-part series is produced independently by Diffusion Media for RTÉ.
Episode 1 of Uncharted with Ray Goggins featuring Leo Varadkar and Lyra airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Wednesday, May 14 at 9.35pm
