A NEW television series that will go behind the scenes at Donegal Airport is set to air on TG4 later this month.
Aerfort Dhún na nGall is a four-part documentary which gives viewers a unique insight into the running of a small regional airport, told through the intimate stories of the passengers flying in and out and the airport staff responsible for their safety and keeping this vital airport alive.
Filmed over 18 months, from 2021 until 2022, with exclusive behind the scenes access, the series explores the daily challenges of the airport team as they navigate the pressures of managing a rural airport, overcome the stringent health and safety measures that Covid brought, and accommodate secretive celebrity landings.
They meet the hardworking and accommodating team at Donegal Airport as they keep the airport ticking over seven days a week and on call 24/7 for 118 air, sea and rescue missions.
The airport personnel operate a shift pattern to accommodate early morning and late evening flights, despite the inhospitable hours, you are always guaranteed to be welcomed with a warm smile and a bit of Donegal craic.
They join a variety of local passengers leaving the county and characters from all over the world flying into the airport. Local taxi driver Charlie Mac is on hand to take them to their final destination.
The airport also provides a more serious service, in supporting patients and sick children with flights for medical treatment in Dublin.
We meet Máire Uí Chomhaill, Bainisteoir of Ionad Naomh Pádraig who coordinates the service, and a patient availing of it.
In the second episode Covid-19 complicates life in the airport, a passenger travels to Dublin for medical treatment, we see a 5K charity run on the airport landing strip, airport intern Cathal Mac Giolla Easbuic packs his bags for six months of training in Spain and student Leah Ní Ghairbhigh prepares to return to DCU following her summer break.
In episode three Cathal Mac Giolla Easbuic is halfway through his Air Traffic controller training in Spain, emigrant Grace Rodgers flies in from Washington DC on a private plane, returning home to Tory island, Julio Diana flies to Sligo for lunch and we join music fans at Sult Festival in Gaoth Dobhair.
In the final episode in the series Rescue 118 helicopter arrives to provide essential training to the airport staff, while the airport caters to a host of passengers; including Tom Marry on his regular commute to London, lawyer Simon Gillespie at the High Court in Dublin and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta presenter Michelle Nic Grianna is off to see a gig in Dublin.
The series is funded by TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán.
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