Major new documentary series chronicles Ireland’s coastline through time – Stunning film is narrated by Ciarán Hinds

A major new three-part documentary series, Ireland’s Coast, will bring audiences on a fascinating journey through time along Ireland’s coastline starting this Sunday on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Narrated by the Oscar nominated actor Ciarán Hinds, the documentary series promises stunning cinematography, cutting edge graphics and gripping storytelling as this breath-taking odyssey uncovers previously unseen marvels of the Irish coast for the first time.

Inspired by the landmark publication The Coastal Atlas of Ireland, published by Cork University Press in 2020, the series will journey to the heart of Ireland’s coast, revealing its fascinating origins, rich biodiversity and magnetic charm.  Ireland’s Coast starts Sunday 15th September at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Oscar nominated Ciarán Hinds who lends his voice to this epic three-part documentary series said: “It was a great pleasure to be involved in a landmark series such as this, a visual feast and deep dive into the story of Ireland’s Coast.”  

In collaboration with University College Cork and ARTÉ, Ireland’s Coast is a thematic exploration of the Ireland’s shore. Episode one ‘Out of the Depths of Time’ reveals the origin story of Ireland’s coast, exploring the significance of sea level rise and fall in the story of our coast. The documentary explores Ireland’s territorial waters and cold-water coral reefs hidden in the canyons and embarks on a dramatic journey with the Marine Institute of Ireland to the Porcupine Bank, to examine the role of weather buoys in the deep Atlantic.

The second episode ‘Coastal Lives’ is a voyage into the people of Ireland’s ancient relationship with the waters that surround the island. It is a deep exploration of the dynamic connections that exist between the Island’s population and the coastal environments over time.

The final episode ‘Future Coasts’ explores how climate change is impacting this environment, how technological advances and local communities are striving to protect the coast and how with some innovative and imaginative thinking we can create more sustainable conditions for this dynamic landscape into the future.

Head of RTÉ Cork, Colm Crowley said: “As RTÉ continues to ramp up regional commissioning and production, this collaboration between RTÉ Cork and University College Cork is the perfect example of how hugely ambitious series like ‘Ireland’s Coast’ can be created and delivered for Irish audiences from RTE’s growing production base in Cork. Special thanks to Moondance productions for bringing this hugely impactful series to life.” 

John FitzGerald, Executive Producer and Adjunct Professor, School of English, University College Cork commented: “University College Cork is delighted to be collaborators on Ireland’s Coast, based on the award-winning Atlas of the Irish Coast published by Cork University Press. Our commitment to bringing important research and knowledge into the public domain in books and films featuring UCC experts is all made possible by an enduring relationship with RTÉ Cork, in collaboration with ARTE and talented film makers like Moondance.”   

Three-part series Ireland’s Coast is produced by Moondance productions for RTÉ in collaboration with UCC and ARTÉ.

ENDS

For more information, interview requests and preview copies please contact:  

RTÉ Communications: Sarah Neville