Stunning scenes off the Donegal coast feature in new RTÉ series

DONEGAL’s coast is set to feature in a documentary which explores the iconic creatures and marine life of the North Atlantic.

Donegal will feature in episode one of ‘North Atlantic – The Dark Ocean’ which begins on Sunday May 14 at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Underwater photographer and filmmaker Ken O’Sullivan documented his adventure as he went scuba diving in the port of Killybegs in search of herring shoals in the cold, dark waters (at 20 metres depth) during winter.

Here he encounters monstrous winter storms and discovers that these are a huge source of fertility in the ocean. He meets a group of Minke whales lunge-feeding on shoals of sprat, and travels to Arctic Norway in search of massive herring shoals that once abounded in Ireland.

Inspired by the spirit of adventure of early explorers such as St Brendan the Navigator, Ken journeys out into the open North Atlantic in search of the great sea monsters described in their early texts. After more than ten years, Ken finally swims with a fin whale and captures incredible footage that documents its individual patterns.

Using an unmanned submarine aboard the Celtic Explorer, Ken journeys to the deepest parts of Ireland’s Atlantic waters, where he discovers thousands of cat sharks in a deep-water nursery. Ken also addresses the decimation of sharks in Ireland and across the globe. Prepare to be immersed in the waters of the North Atlantic like never before.

North Atlantic also deals with the concerning issue of the treatment of our oceans and its creatures. The series explores concerns such as toxicity in whales from human activity in the ocean and the decimation of fin whales due to whaling. The series emphasises how society must work harder to conserve these precious ecosystems.

The series also features an original classical music soundtrack by young composer Bradley Ayres, performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

North Atlantic will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from Sunday May 14, 6.30pm.

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