RTÉ partners with UCC, ARTÉ & Dept. of Culture in landmark new television series to commemorate 175 years since the Famine began
The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine airs on RTÉ One TONIGHT 30th November and next Monday 7th December, 21:35. Learn more on the Famine: https://www.rte.ie/history/
RTÉ has announced the launch of a landmark new series to mark the 175th anniversary since the start of the Great Irish Famine. The two-part series, The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine will provide a comprehensive guide to one most defining events in Irish history.
Narrated by Liam Neeson, the gripping 60-minute episodes tell the definitive story of the worst humanitarian disaster in Irish history and one of the most important events in European history.
Jim Jennings, Director of Content, RTÉ said: “It is a privilege to once again work with our partners in UCC and ARTE to bring one of the most defining events in Irish history to life on the small screen. It is important that we commemorate such a significant event and honour those who lost their lives by understanding and sharing our nation’s story. This series is a definitive guide to the famine and also a timely reminder during these turbulent times of Ireland’s strength and resilience”.
Narrator and Irish movie star Liam Neeson said: “The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine is a compelling series for all generations to watch and learn from. The Famine spawned the Global Irish Diaspora of 70 million around the world, over 30 million of which are in the US. Being one of the global Irish, I felt it was important to be involved in the series because it marks a defining national moment in how Ireland found hope in the face of catastrophic tragedy. Hope is something we all need right now.”
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD said: “The Great Famine has been widely recognised as the single most significant event in modern Irish History. I welcome the work of RTÉ and UCC and their partners in producing this documentary and the associated online materials which will provide a valuable and accessible resource for students of that terrible time, both at home and abroad. The fostering of deeper understanding of historical events is the consistent theme of the Government’s approach to commemoration.”
The RTÉ Cork commissioned series, counts as the second major partnership with UCC and the national broadcaster. The popular Irish Revolution was the first partnership in February 2019 in a three-part docu-series which marked the centenary of the Irish War of Independence.
Professor John O’Halloran, Interim President of UCC said: “This is the latest documentary that we have developed together with RTÉ. From history to culture, we are committed to ensuring we make learning accessible and inspire interest and reflection upon our past.”
Mr. Bernd Mütter, Program Director of ARTE G.E.I.E. said: “The Famine in Ireland in the 1840’s-early 1850’s is a topic of major significance for Ireland, for Europe and even the world. Being a European broadcaster, ARTE has an interest in co-producing films that explain episodes of our past and show how influential they were and still are for the people of this day and age.”
The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine is produced by Patricia Carroll, Tyrone Productions Ltd, written and directed by Ruán Magan and is an RTÉ Cork and ARTE co-production in association with UCC.