New RTÉ series showcases unique relationships Irish people have with the sea in Mealladh na Mara

In this brand-new Irish language series from RTÉ, the viewer is taken into the worlds of three very different people who have all felt lured by the sea since they were children. Ireland is surrounded by the ocean and many have a complex relationship to this volatile force of nature. For generations, the sea has been a source of livelihoods, legends and wonder, but the sea can also be a place of immense danger.

In Mayo, the series discovers the world beneath the ocean with search and rescue diver Conall Ó Domhnaill. One of Ireland’s most accomplished surfers, GP Dr Eoin McCarthy Deering, talks about balancing his professional career against the constant lure of the big wave. And on Cape Clear in West Cork, the series also features secondary school teacher, Niamh Ní Dhrisceoil who trained as a skipper, becoming one of Ireland’s first female ferry skippers.

Series producer Birthe Tonseth said: “With this series we really wanted to capture the force and wonder of the sea, and we were so lucky to work with some incredible people both on and off screen. Telling their stories and setting them and Ireland’s breath-taking scenery to beautiful music was such a pleasure, making this series a joy to watch.”

Conall Ó Domhnaill is a retired teacher and search and rescue diver, who has been fascinated with the sea since his childhood. Even though he grew up in Co Meath, Conall spent most summers on the beaches in Donegal, where his father hailed from. Since then, he always dreamt of scuba diving, and in his early 20s he was finally able to fulfil that childhood dream. Conall has now been diving for over 40 years. As a recreational diver he has explored most of the Irish coastline, but it is still a magical experience for him. Conall is also a highly qualified and experienced search and rescue diver with the Grainne Uaile Subaqua Club in Mayo.

Secondary school teacher Niamh Ní Dhrisceoil grew up on Cape Clear in West Cork, Ireland’s most southerly island. It lies 8 miles off Baltimore and is home to 147 people who live there all year around. Niamh has been living and working as a secondary school teacher in Ballincollig on the outskirts of Cork city for the last few years, but she is drawn back to her home island almost every weekend and holiday. The sea has been a constant in her life from birth, when she was nicknamed “the Lifeboat Baby”, but like all families that live and work along the coast, the O’Driscolls have also lost loved ones to the sea…

Dr Eoin McCarthy Deering works as a locum GP all around Ireland, but his true passion in life is surfing. He is one of Ireland’s most experienced surfers and has tackled some of the biggest waves in the world. He’s represented Ireland in international competitions and has surfed spectacular waves in places like Indonesia, Iceland, California, Barbados and the Azores. Eoin has often felt the brutal force of the ocean, and he knows personally how dangerous the sea can be. A few years ago, he was surfing in Sligo with friends, when he fell off a powerful wave and was lucky to escape with his life.

This new series for RTÉ One invites viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty and power of the sea through the personal testimonies of three people for whom the sea is not just a calling but a way of life.

Mealladh na Mara begins at 7pm on Tuesday July 11th on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.