Hector goes Ó Chósta go Cósta of USA in new TG4 season

TG4 is renowned for its documentaries and this season will not disappoint, with an array of compelling and moving stories that reflect Irish life.  There is something for everyone in the line-up of music, sport, entertainment and travel programming that are produced in an inherently Irish way.

Powerful storytelling forms the backbone of TG4’s new autumn schedule launched in Cork City by TG4 Director General, Alan Esslemont,  who said: “TG4 has always put its audiences first and, in partnership with the Irish independent production sector, we continue to strive to create programmes which create value for Irish audiences, again this year we promise a superb schedule of new programmes which is innately Irish, compelling and contemporary.  We are also very aware that part of the role of a modern public service broadcaster is to give opportunity to emerging Irish on-screen and off-screen talent and to help develop companies with world-class content and global ambition.  TG4 is widely recognised as the main force in the development of the audio-visual sector in the regions outside of the Dublin/Wicklow area and we are delighted, for the first time ever, that we are launching our TG4’s autumn schedule nationally from Cork.” 

Powerful Irish stories, that show the resilience of people in trying circumstances will be presented by Orla O’Donnell in ‘Finné’.  Evanne Ní Chuilinn, who was adopted as a baby, explores the long and often distressing story of adoption in Ireland in ‘Uchtú – Evanne Ní Chuilinn’. ‘Saol an Mhadra Bháin’ tells how Irish people have had their quality of life dramatically changed and improved by their guide dogs. ‘Tabú’ is back with more hard-hitting factual documentaries about issues such as homelessness, direct Provision, and being transgender in Ireland.

Eminent politicians will be portrayed in a new light in the documentaries; ‘Máthair Trump – The President’s Mother’ explores the story of Donald Trump’s mother, Mary MacLeod who left the Hebrides for America in search of a better life.  ‘Martin McGuinness – I Fought, I made Peace, I made Politics’ gives an insight into the life and times of Martin McGuinness, and ‘De Valera i Meiriceá’ follows the extraordinary story of Éamon de Valera's trip to America in 1919.

There is a new line-up to the ‘Underdogs’ management team this year, with Kerry’s Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and Donegal’s Kevin Cassidy joining Valerie Mulcahy.  Hector will be in America travelling from coast to coast, from Savannah to San Diego.  A new series ‘Creative Company’ will find Ireland’s most creative workplace.

Razor sharp new American drama, ‘Perpetual Grace LTD’, as well as ‘Catch-22’, starring George Clooney, and returning series’ of ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘Mr. Robot’ will mesmerise and shock viewers.  The first feature-length Irish Language films from the Cine4 joint initiative between TG4, Screen Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, will come to cinemas soon with award winning ‘Finky’ and ‘Arracht’.

TG4 as always will be at the forefront of traditional Irish music, and this season sees a return of ‘TradFest TG4’ highlighting the best of Irish traditional music from the heart of Dublin city. ‘Sé Mo Laoch’ celebrates esteemed musicians Steve Cooney, Máirtín O’Connor, Paddy Glackin, Patsy Hanly, and Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin.   Country music fans will be delighted with Daniel O’Donnell’s guests on ‘Opry le Daniel’, and ‘Glór Tíre’ is looking for the next big country music star.
 

‘Bailte’, ‘Bádóirí’ and ‘Turas Bóthair’ will get to the heart of Gaeltacht life. ‘Seoda Bhailiúchán na Scol’, a new series looks at the Schools Folklore Collection and, Seán Mac an tSíthigh will travel to Boston to meet the largest Irish community outside of Ireland in ‘Gaeil Bhoston’.
Galway Ladies take on Dublin in the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Football Final on September 15th, and the night before ‘Ceiliúradh LGFA le LIDL’ will showcase the road to Croke Park with the six teams who have made the finals.  

‘Laochra Gael’ returns, featuring Alan Brogan, Iggy Clarke, Diarmuid Lyng, David Brady and Brenda McAnespie. As always, we will have unrivalled coverage of club and inter-county games on ‘GAA BEO’.  ‘Rugbaí Beo’ also returns at the end of the month with the Guinness PRO14 championship, and there will be a variety of other matches streamed on Spórt TG4’s YouTube channel throughout the year.

TG4 is committed through its multi-annual output deals to producing high-quality original programming for children. This year, new programmes for pre-school children include ‘An Siopa Ealaíne’, ‘Lá le Mamó, Lá le Daideo’, ‘Is Mise’ and ‘Ár Scéal’, as well as ‘Mo Shaol, Do Shaol’ and ‘C.L.U.B’ for older children.
Viewers can also enjoy TG4’s content online via the TG4 player www.TG4.ie or on the player app and on social media.

10 Autumn Highlights on TG4

 
Finné 
Documentary series 'Finné', inspired by Netflix documentaries of recent years, is back for a second series on TG4. Produced by Tua Films and presented by RTÉ correspondent Orla O' Donnell, 'Finné' will visit more powerful Irish stories, stories about suffering, injustice, redemption, resilience and strength.

Uchtú – Evanne Ní Chuilinn
Evanne Ní Chuilinn explores the long and often difficult story of adoption in Ireland.

Hector USA - Ó Chósta go Cósta 
Ireland's most famous intrepid traveller opens our eyes to "His America" as he takes us on a road trip from Coast to Coast as he treks from Savannah on the Atlantic to San Diego on the Pacific.

Ros na Rún
TG4's longest-running and best-loved series, and we await to see what will happen next with the Dalys.

Máthair Trump – The President’s Mother 
This documentary follows Mary Macleod's journey from the Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides, to her becoming mother to a President.

Mo Shaol do Shaol
A series for children where we take two people who are totally different from one another & make them swap hobbies and lives for a day....AND they have to complete an incredibly difficult challenge before the day is out.

Underdogs
TG4's legendary GAA series 'Underdogs' is back and this year the management team will have a new line-up, including; former Kerry Captain and former Kerry Manager Mickey Ned O' Sullivan, Gaoth Dobhair legend and former Donegal Footballer Kevin Cassidy and former Cork Ladies Footballer Valerie Mulcahy will be back on the sideline.

Tradfest TG4
Tradfest TG4 returns from Dublin's city centre highlighting Irish traditional and contemporary folk music. Dubliner Doireann Ní Ghlacáin introduces a host of talent including Mike McGoldrick, The Henry Girls, Teddy Thompson & Inni K.

Perpetual Grace LTD

Perpetual Grace LTD follows James, a young grifter, as he attempts to prey upon Pastor Byron Brown (Ben Kingsley), who turns out to be far more dangerous than he suspects. The pastor and his wife Lillian - known to their parishioners as Pa and Ma - have used religion to bilk hundreds of innocent people out of their life savings.

Turas Bóthair 
This is the show that reveals what people really talk about in their cars, where we rig small cameras in dozens of cars across Ireland, allowing us to eavesdrop on real conversations as they happen.