THE people and spectacular coastline of Tory Island will feature on tonight’s TG4 ‘Bailte’ series at 8 pm.
Needless to say, this is by far the most northerly townland visited in the series which highlights how townlands and their communities are at the heart of Irish life.
The award-winning series presented by Síle Nic Chonaonaigh sees her journey continue through some of the country’s 60,000 townlands.
It explores the deep connection people have with their townland and how local landscapes and traditions remain a constant influence on our daily lives.
Tory Island is a perfect example of this.
The island nine miles off the Donegal coast is the remotest area Síle has visited so far.
Amongst those she meets during the programme are Anton Meenan, who regales her with tales from the Bronze Age, Marjorie Carroll who tells Síle about the islanders’ plans for the future and Willie Ghráinne Ó Dubhgáin, the captain of the Tor Dearg who takes her on a boat trip around the island’s stunning Atlantic coastline.
Speaking in advance of the broadcast Síle said the series depicts hard-working and vibrant communities who are doing their very best to ensure their own community is more than just a mere lay-by and a pretty stop-off along the Wild Atlantic Way.
“With rural Ireland as a spectacular backdrop, ‘Bailte’ provides a distinctive and honest portrayal of life in Ireland today.
“We visit a different townland and its respective community each week to learn what life is like there,” she said.
Some of the townlands Síle visits have larger populations than others, one of which only having one family.
As well as the many advantages of living in rural townlands, the series also shares the difficulties of living in remote areas, such as rural depopulation, a lack of basic services, unemployment and the uncertain futures of both the farming and fishing industries.
Other townlands which will feature include Leitir Ard and An Bóthar Buí in Galway, Baile na nGall in Waterford and Clochán Bréanainn on the Dingle Peninsula.
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