DONEGAL is set to take centre stage on British television as the second series of Dermot’s Taste of Ireland began airing on ITV1 and streaming service ITVX from Friday past.
Presented by Dermot O’Leary, the show sees the popular presenter explore the county’s landscapes, food culture and people in the 10-part series, which focuses on two of Ireland’s most celebrated coastal routes, the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route.
Donegal features prominently, with O’Leary travelling from Donagh Bees in Carndonagh to The Lemon Tree Restaurant in Letterkenny.
Brian McDermott with Dermot O’Leary at Donegal Castle.
He visits Glencolmcille Folk Village and Killybegs seafood producers Shines Seafood, and cooks an apple tart with chef Brian McDermott at Donegal Castle.
He meets Eleanor Hanna of Hanna Hats of Donegal and Rana Miah, owner of Chandpur Indian Restaurant in Donegal town.
O’Leary said returning for the new series had been “another incredible experience”.
“Filming this series gave me the chance to reconnect with a place I hold so dear, while also discovering a completely new side of the island through the people who live and work there.
“From time spent with farmers, bakers and fishermen to learning traditional skills and cooking with brilliant local chefs, it was a real deep dive into the communities behind the exceptional food”, he said.
Dermot and Rana Miah, owner of Chandpur Indian Restaurant in Donegal Town.
Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain, Julie Wakley, said the two routes were “renowned for their breath-taking scenery, delicious local produce, vibrant cultural scene and exciting outdoor offering” and expressed confidence viewers would be inspired to visit Ireland for themselves.
The series, produced by Rock Oyster Media, is supported through the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project, funded by the Government of Ireland through the Shared Island Fund, and reflects ongoing collaboration between Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to forge greater links between the two iconic coastal routes.
Dermot’s Taste of Ireland airs on ITV1 and ITVX from Friday, May 2.
Dermot O’Leary filming with chef Chris Molly at The Lemon Tree in Letterkenny, for the second series of ‘Dermot’s Taste of Ireland’.