RUAN’S Sharon Shannon is set to feature on a new travel and music television series showcasing Ireland’s hidden gems including a visit to County Clare, writes Conor Clohessy.
Fáilte Ireland and TG4 have joined forces with the renowned musician on the programme ‘Heartlands’. The four-week series, commencing on Wednesday, August 11 at 8.30pm, features Sharon and her niece Caoilinn Ní Dhonnabháin showcasing the Shannon River region across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
The pair will slowly cruise the River Shannon discovering the country while catching up with a host of musical friends, such as Liam O’Maonlaoi (Hothouse Flowers), Steve Wickham (The Waterboys), Eleanor Shanley, Nathan Carter, The Henshaws, Seamus Begley, Mundy, Gerry ‘Banjo’ O’Connor and Susan O’Neill.
The show will feature Clare and Tipperary on its finale on Wednesday, September 1 having travelled all the way along the river from Cavan.
She will pay a visit to Derg Isle and Holy Island, meet and play with Gerry Banjo O’Connor at Garrykennedy, Tipperary, check out Beal Boru with Aindrias de Staic and have a chat and tune with Susan O’Neill at Ballina/Killaloe.
The series was supported by TG4, Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and all nine Local Authorities along the Shannon from the Shannon Pot to Lough Derg (Cavan, Roscommon, Leitrim, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Galway, Clare and Tipperary).
— Sharon Shannon (@SharonShannon99) August 5, 2021
Paddy Mathews, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations for Irelands Hidden Heartlands, said, “Heartlands is an exciting new series which fuses travel with music, uncovering a host of hidden gems along the River Shannon and introducing the viewer to some of Ireland’s greatest musicians along the way.
“Following Sharon Shannon and her niece Caoilinn Ní Dhonnabháin from the Shannon Pot all the way down to Lough Derg is a wonderful way to showcase Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands in an engaging way which makes for compelling viewing.“
‘Heartlands’ will visit a number of locations across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, telling stories that explore the hidden and not so hidden treasures that the regions has to offer. Each 30-minute programme will see Sharon and Caoilinn connect with some of Ireland’s top musicians while reminding viewers of the many unique experiences on offer.
Commenting on her involvement in the ‘Heartlands’ programme, Sharon Shannon said, “It’s only when you get a chance, like I have, to explore what’s on our doorstep, that you truly realise the wonderful gems we have around Ireland, and in particular along the River Shannon in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
“It’s been such a joy to be involved with this wonderful programme ‘Heartland’, combining my great love of Ireland and music with Fáilte Ireland and TG4 and I truly encourage everyone to go and explore for yourself the host of things to see and do along our very own River Shannon!”
Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, TG4 Commissioning Editor commented, “Heartlands is a highly entertaining and visually rich series which literally goes to the heart of Irish music and storytelling on the shores of the Shannon. TG4 is delighted to package such top-class musical content into four half hours to be broadcast in our primetime schedule. Mo cheol sibh!”