This autumn a new series of the award winning ‘Bailte’ returns with Síle Nic Chonaonaigh continuing her journey through the town-lands of Ireland.
With over 60,000 town-lands in Ireland, they remain one of the pillars of modern Irish life.
On this journey Síle explores the resilience within our rural communities and reveals the deep connection people have with their town-land and how local landscapes and traditions remain a constant influence on our daily lives.
The series celebrates hard working and vibrant communities that are working to ensure their community is more than just a mere layby and a pretty spot on the Wild Atlantic Way.
With the spectacular backdrop of rural Ireland and an honest telling of contemporary life ‘Bailte’ gives a distinctive portrayal of life in Ireland.
On September 22, Síle heads for the hills of Donegal.
Situated along the rugged Northwest coastline of Donegal lies the village of Rann na Feirste.
During her visit Síle Nic Chonaonaigh finds a lively, artistic and proud community steeped in literature, storytelling music and song.
She learns of the origins of the village when in 1736 the Mac Grianna brothers Seán and Pádraig purchased land here for £5 and of how these first settlers still influence the fortunes and lives of the local community to this day.
Each week Síle visits a different town-land and community to learn what life is like for local people.
Some town-lands she visits have hundreds of locals, while others have much fewer, while one town-land she visit had just the one family.
As well as the many advantages of living in rural town-lands, the series also shares the difficulties living in remote area, rural depopulation, lack of basic services, unemployment and the uncertain futures of both the farming and the fishing industries.
The series finds the pulse of rural Ireland in 2022.
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