TG4 series explores vibrant and creative community of Ráth Chairn
A new TG4 series will explore the vibrant and creative community of Ráth Chairn.
In the first episode of 'Pobal Ráth Chairn' on Thursday 20th March at 8pm farmer Máirtín Ó Méalóid tells us about the establishment of Ráth Chairn 90 years ago. We meet Anna Ní Dhonnchú at her weaving business 'Bréidín na Bóinne', and Tadhg Ó Cróinín, the manager of An Club in Rath Chairn, shows us the old house he hopes to renovate in the future. Éamonn and Ciarán Mac Donncha share their love of music with us, and we meet Brídóg Ní Chonaire at the shop that is being refurbished by the local Co-operative. Meanwhile, a lively voluntary group is busy preparing for the biggest festival of the year, Féile na Gealaí.
In the second visit to Ráth Chairn, we see that Féile na Gealaí was a roaring success and the community's hard work was worthwhile. Ciarán Mac Donncha and his grandfather Máirtín share their love of sport with us. We visit Deirdre Ní Dhonnchadha's dental practice in Athboy. It is the end of an era in Ráth Chairn when Máiréad Mhic Dhonncha retires after 40 years as a 'Bean an Tí'. We get a taste of the social life in Ráth Chairn at the weekly music session with Áine Ní Chróinín and Éamon Óg Ó Donnchadha.
In the third episode of 'Pobal Ráth Chairn', a new generation of young GAA players are being trained by Éamon Óg Ó Donnchadha. The local shop opens properly, and Áine Ní Chróinín returns to teaching. Páraic Ó Gríofa showcases the work of Turmec, pioneers in waste management and recycling machines. Diarmaid Ó hAlmhain is preserving the craft of basket-making, and the heritage of Ráth Chairn is being taught at Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn by Micheál Ó Súilleabháin. Sean-nós singing is going from strength to strength in the area, thanks to the evening classes of Máiréad Ní Cheallaigh.
In the final episode of ‘Pobal Ráth Chairn’, the local Heritage Committee reveals its plans to preserve the history of the area. Oak trees are being planted by Máirtín Ó Méalóid for the next generation. Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh provides an insight into the job opportunities available when living in Ráth Chairn, as he travels to Dublin for work. We see both the young and old of Ráth Chairn strongly represented at Oireachtas na Samhna. We bid farewell to this wonderful community at the Féile na Mí, a festival that celebrates the music, song, dance and rich culture of the area.
Ráth Chairn is located in the southeast of the Boyne Valley, between Trim and Athboy in County Meath. This Gaeltacht area was founded in 1935, when a courageous group from Connemara moved east to create a better life for themselves. In this series, we will get an insight into what drives this vibrant and creative community, the aspects of life that are most important to them, and how they preserve their traditions in the beautiful Ráth Chairn.