Rannafast actor Hughie McGarvey on the set of Rásaí na Gaillimhe 2.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
DONEGAL Gaeltacht actor Hughie McGarvey has been stealing the show on the second series of the hit black comedy, Rásaí na Gaillimhe on TG4.
This Wednesday night episode four of seven is aired of what was hotly anticipated second series of the hugely popular programme.
The first series of Rásaí na Gaillimhe made an immediate impact with the first episode alone receiving the highest ever viewership for a drama on the Irish language station.
Over 220,000 tune to watch the first episode the series, produced by Great Western Films, which starred household names such as Don Wycherley, Ruth Bradley and our very own Donegal men Frankie McCafferty and Hughie.
Overall the average viewership for the first series of Rásaí was a whopping 92,000 which came as no surprise to the Rannafast actor.
“TG4 are by far the number one television station for drama in Ireland, they have produced some
amazing drama over the past few years and I am very honoured to have been asked back for a second series of Rásaí na Gaillimhe,” he said.
Hughie has revived his role as Micheál, the ringleader of those likeable Donegal rogues, the De Barra brothers who have been up to lot of mischief…again.
For those of you who missed the first series, make sure to tune into the remainder of Series 2 to see the dodgy schemes, misplaced dreams, wanton excesses and outright sin that goes on Ireland’s most famous and notorious sporting and social festival, Galway Race Week.
Hughie has revived his role as Micheál, the ringleader of those likeable Donegal rogues, the De Barra brothers who have been up to lot of mischief…again.
Rannafast native Hughie, who first set foot on a theatre stage at the age of nine with Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair, said he really enjoyed working on Rásaí again.
“You learn so much from all these experienced actors like Don as well as finding out some of the
tricks of the trade they are just great fun to be around,” said Hughie.
When he heard that his role was one of only a handful to re-appear in the second series, the humble Rannafast actor was naturally very pleased, but to anyone who watched the first series it comes as no surprise and certainly not for one of the stars of the show.
After working with Hughie for the first time, renowned actor Don Wycherley said Hughie was ‘totally enthusiastic’ and described some of his scenes as ‘fantastic’.
Wycherley said: “Hopefully this role will bring Hughie a lot more work and recognition. He is a very talented actor and musician to boot with a streak of ‘madness that you really need if you want to make it – and Hughie’s future looks bright.”
Tune into Rásaí na Gaillimhe this Wednesday night at 9.30pm and see how Creed is seduced by the taoiseach’s fiancee, Grainne while Keane hires a dim witted assassin who grabs the wrong end of the hit. All this drama, only on TG4.