First episode airs on Friday 27th October at 8.00pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
What happens when two people from different cultures or faith traditions decide to tie the knot?
A brand-new series, A Ring and a Prayer, explores just that as it follows 12 couples from different faiths and cultural backgrounds in the lead up to their weddings. It also hears the insights of couples, who have been together for years and fully understand the challenges and rewards of “mixed” relationships.
In some parts of Ireland, one in four marriages now involve at least two nationalities, and there are countless combinations of cultures, races and creeds. This six-part series captures the Irish experience of multicultural marriage, exploring what happens when diverse traditions, values and faiths become entwined with love and romance.
Across the series, viewers get to know 12 couples, who combine different nationalities, cultures, ethnicities and faiths. We see them negotiating family politics, as they each plan their big day with a ring and a prayer.
Amongst the couples we meet are Paul, a Catholic, originally from Nigeria, and Anastasia, a Dubliner with Romanian Orthodox roots. Both grew up in West Dublin. Paul and Anastasia, who have a baby on the way, have enormous respect for each other’s cultures, and even bigger love for each other.
Cassandra from South Africa and Sam from Limerick choose to get married in a multicultural Evangelical Christian Church, while Emma from the Philippines chooses a Catholic Filipino priest to celebrate her marriage to Dubliner, Gavin.
Shanti, who was born in Nepal, is marrying Alex, who’s from Co. Meath, where they both went to school. Their wedding is a blend of Hindu and Western traditions. Shanti, whose Canadian Dad adds another cultural ingredient to the mix, came to Ireland aged three, but her birthplace has had a massive influence on her life and plays a big part in her wedding.
Tune in to the new series of A Ring and a Prayer on Friday 27th October at 8.00pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.