Programme Sales 2019

Programme
Sales



BRIDGET & EAMONN HARDY BUCKS FINDING JOY PODGE AND RODGE TAKEN DOWN RESISTANCE REBELLION

STRIKING OUT ACCEPTABLE RISK FAIR CITY WHISTLEBLOWER THE IRISH REVOLUTION 1916 GREAT LIGHTHOUSES
– THE WAR THAT SHOOK OF IRELAND
THE BRITISH EMPIRE

ORLA TINSLEY: THE GENIUS OF MY TRANS LIFE THE ONLY GAY IN POPE FRANCIS: JESUS: COUNTDOWN SCHIZOPHRENIA: THE
WARRIOR GEORGE BOOLE THE VILLAGE THE SINNER TO CALVARY VOICES IN MY HEAD

AUTISM AND ME WILD CITIES A WILD IRISH YEAR OPERATION PLAY IT BY YEAR MISSING YOU BLACK SHEEP
TRANSFORMATION

MOTHER KNOWS BEST ON THE DAY I WAS BORN INCREDIBLE HOMES ROOM TO IMPROVE DONAL’S MEALS IN NEVEN’S FOOD TRAILS COOK, EAT, BURN
MINUTES

HOW TO COOK WITH GROW, COOK, EAT IT’S A PARK LIFE Programme
RORY O’CONNELL Sales

www.rte.ie/programmesales

COMEDY & ENTERTAINMENT

Bridget and Eamon Hardy Bucks

12 X 30' 20 X 30'

The brilliant, award-winning Irish sitcom starring Jennifer Zamparelli and A circle of young men entertain vague ambitions involving quick cash,
Bernard O’Shea as a married pair of misfits (with their indeterminate women and showbiz in this mockumentary on small-town Irish life .
number of children) living in the Midlands region of Ireland is now in its
fourth season. Hardy Bucks follows the fictional exploits of a group of 20 something
slacker lads living in a small fictional town in “Castletown” and their
Set in the 1980s, the gloriously kitsch and almost painfully nostalgic attempt to find “fun” wherever that may be while trying to make something
show sends up everything that dodgy decade had to offer in the way of their lives using what limited means they have. Pressing matters such
of fashion, fabs and foibles. Bridget is a still a wound-up, chain-smoking as women, drink and lack of money are always in their minds as they
housewife with ‘notions’ infuriated by Eamon’s so many annoying habits. spend their days coming up with unorthodox solutions to their problems.

Follow Eddie Durkan, and his friends Buzz, French Toast, The Viper and
Boo and their exploits which lead to hilarious situations as inevitably things
always go wrong!

A PURE CLASS PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ A HARDY / INTEGRAL PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ
01

COMEDY & ENTERTAINMENT

Finding Joy Podge & Rodge

6 X 30' 10 X 30'

Joy is perfectly happy with her life. It’s neat and tidy and just how she Podge & Rodge, two of Ireland’s most famous puppets host a brand
likes it. Sure, her long-term boyfriend, Aidan, has left her, but Joy is new season of celebrity chat, music and comedy. Featuring interviews
fine with it. Things are totally fine the way they are - That is until Joy with Charlotte Crosby, Rory Cowan, Josh Patterson from Made in
unwittingly lands herself a new job filling in for Ireland’s most-beloved Chelsea, Kerry Katona and Danny O’Carroll aka Buster from Mrs
vlogger, Flora the Happy Hunter. Brown’s Boys. 

This unwanted promotion throws Joy firmly out of her OCD level of The talented comics behind Podge & Rodge famously began life as Extra-
control and forces her to deal with a world she has put great effort into terrestrial Mischief Makers ZIG & ZAG on C4’s THE BIG BREAKFAST.
avoiding; one full of oversharing, boundary breaking, messy housemates,
one-night stands, and full-contact wrestling; all in the name of learning From Podge & Rodge’s crib “Ballydung Manor” expect hilarious interviews,
about the crazy, uncomfortable and new-age methods people use to scorching music in the parlour and a brand new co-host in Doireann
find – well joy. Garrihy; impressionist, comedian and a woman who doesn’t quite know
what she’s letting herself in for.

A TREASURE ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ AN RTÉ PRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTED BY ACORN MEDIA ENTERPRISES

02

DRAMA

Taken Down Striking Out

6 X 60' 12 X 60'

Crime drama set in Dublin, in which a young Nigerian girl is found dead Striking Out stars Amy Huberman as Tara who discovers her fiancé and
at a bus stop opening an investigation into her murder. This leads fellow solicitor Eric has been cheating with a colleague. She leaves him
detectives to an immigration detention centre nearby where shaken and their prestigious law firm to set up her own practice specializing in
residents are wary to speak to the police, all terrified of deportation. family and divorce law.

The victim was a resident of the centre and at first glance the young girl’s Working alongside her new team, including mentor and friend Vincent
death looks like it was the result of a robbery gone wrong but quickly (Neil Morrissey) and tech guru and private detective Meg, Tara’s cases will
it becomes apparent that the robbery was staged and that she was put her in direct conflict with influential families and the legal and political
clearly targeted and killed. establishment as well as challenging her own personal morals.

When another young Nigerian girl from the same detention centre
is reported missing, the police wonder if there is a connection and a
possible serial killer in their midst. It then becomes a race against time
for the investigative team to track down the missing girl, which leads
them into a world of trafficking and prostitution.

A SPIRAL PICTURES PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ (IN ASSOCIATION WITH A BLINDER FILMS PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ 

ARTE)DISTRIBUTED BY FREMANTLE MEDIA DISTRIBUTED BY DCD RIGHTS / ACORN MEDIA ENTERPRISES

03

DRAMA

Rebellion Resistance

5 X 60' 6 X 60'

The violent birth of modern Ireland. A five-part drama serial about Resistance follows on from Rebellion, moving on to focus on the War of
the emergence of a new state during one of the most disruptive and Independence. The series features Jimmy Mahon (Brian Gleeson), who
terrifying periods in history. works as a hitman for Michael Collins, while his brother Patrick (David
Wilmot) is working for the British as an RIC officer. It marks the centenary
The drama begins with the outbreak of World War One. As expectations of the War of Independence in Ireland.
of a short and glorious campaign are dashed, extremism comes to the
fore as social stability – the very fabric of life – erodes. How do people The narrative thread that holds the series together is a plot by the
react? Some prioritise family loyalties. Others take sides. Motivated Irish (fictional, but based on what was to follow) to get rid of the British
by the noblest of ideals or opportunism, some take up arms, prepared administration and their system of spies and secret police at Dublin
to sacrifice everything for the dream of a better society. What is it Castle. This world is one of shadows and echoes; double-agents and
like to be caught up in such chaotic and violent times? We see the unreliable narrators at a time of high tension, fear and anxiety.
tumultuous events through the eyes of men, women and children from
Dublin, Galway, Belfast and London. There are winners and losers,
loves and losses.

A ZODIAK MEDIA IRELAND AND TOUCHPAPER TV PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ A ZODIAK MEDIA IRELAND AND TOUCHPAPER TV PRODUCTION
IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH SUNDANCE TV DISTRIBUTED BY BANIJAY FOR RTÉ DISTRIBUTED BY BANIJAY

04

DRAMA

Acceptable Risk Fair City

6 X 60' 100 X 30' Episodes

When her husband, Lee, is murdered, Sarah Manning comes to realise Fair City is Ireland’s most popular soap. In its 30th year, the award winning
that she knows nothing about his past. While coping with her grief in drama is watched by an average of almost half a million viewers four
her home in Dublin, Sarah questions who Lee actually was and what he nights a week.


did in his work for a powerful global organization. And why did Lee, a
salesman, need to carry a gun? Family and community have always been at the heart of Fair City with
storylines reflecting the values and cores of community life across
The growing suspicion that Lee’s death may be connected to the death Ireland, making it hugely popular with viewers. Over the past 30
of her first husband leads Sarah to confront a powerful conspiracy years, Fair City has tackled many topical and sometimes controversial
of corporate, police and political interests, extending from Dublin to storylines previously unseen on Irish television.
Montreal, in which it seems her own family may be complicit.
The storytelling is universal in nature yet specific to its location in north
Dublin City and stories are told in a way that can be tragic, witty and
poignant. This is a drama that has broad appeal for all audiences.

PRODUCED BY SAFFRON MOON AND FACET4 MEDIA FOR RTÉ AN RTÉ DRAMA PRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTED BY DCD RIGHTS / ACORN MEDIA ENTERPRISES

05

FACTUAL

Whistleblower The Great Lighthouses of Ireland

2 X 60' / 1 X 90' 4 X 60'

“Whistleblower” tells the compelling and personal story of Irish Police This series tells the fascinating story of Ireland’s lighthouses and their
Sergeant Maurice McCabe and his private family life which was continuing importance in modern Irish life.
catapulted into the limelight after he became the country’s most
prominent police whistleblower. Visually spectacular the series features stunning footage of Ireland’s
lighthouses and reveals how Ireland became a world leader in lighthouse
Over the course of a decade, the story of Maurice McCabe shook the engineering. Often working in hostile and treacherous natural locations,
establishment and rippled through the highest echelons of society from our lighthouse engineers and builders used great ingenuity to achieve
the police force, through to the media and government.   His complaints what seemed practically impossible.
were dismissed and belittled, but he wouldn’t be silenced and as time
went on he found wrongdoing on a grand scale leading to shocking Using archive footage and meeting some of the lighthouse keepers,
revelations of incompetence within the police force. This film shows Great Lighthouses of Ireland illustrates our dependence on the sea,
how he subsequently came to be the victim of a whispering campaign our battle with the elements, the engineering, history, science and above
that led to the establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry which resulted in all the people behind these extraordinary buildings, and the pivotal role
resignations from Government Ministers to Chief Police Commissioners.  they have played in historic events.

“Whistleblower” chronicles Maurice McCabe’s extraordinary battle for
vindication  - a battle that would change the Irish police force forever –
but one which came with a great personal cost.

AN RTÉ PRODUCTION AN INPRODUCTION PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ

06

FACTUAL

1916 The Irish Revolution – The War
That Shook the British Empire
3 X 60' / 1 X 90'
2 X 60' / 1 X 90'

Narrated by Liam Neeson, this landmark documentary examines the Narrated by Cillian Murphy, this is the remarkable story of the Irish War of
Easter Rising and the subsequent events that led to the creation of Independence (1919-1922) which resulted in the formation of the Irish Free
an independent Irish state and, indirectly, to the start of the breakup State but became the model for other British colonies to gain their own
of the British Empire. Looking at the Rising from an International independence. 
perspective, 1916 will broaden public understanding of the historical
interconnections between Britain, Ireland and the United States, Following on from the failed insurrection of 1916, this series tells the story
connections that continued to have significance up to and including the of how revolutionary Ireland re-organized and re-imagined the tactics that
Irish peace process. The documentary combines rarely seen archive would eventually lead to an independent Ireland.
with contemporary filming all over the world, together with revealing
interviews by the world’s leading experts and historians. Hugely important figures such as Michael Collins and Éamon de
Valera would emerge onto the world stage, as leaders of Ireland’s
An initiative of the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies at the revolutionary struggle, facing iconic British political heavyweights such as
University of Notre Dame, this landmark three part documentary series Winston Churchill and Lloyd George. 
tells the story of the 1916 Easter Rising in a comprehensive way and, for
the first time, places these events in their proper historical, political and The tactics, both in guerrilla warfare and in radicalising the Irish
cultural context as the precursor to an independent Irish state and the population, would eventually force a British withdraw and a treaty leading
disintegration of colonial empires. to an independent Irish state. These tactics would be copied again and
again, thought-out the British Empire and become the print for freedom.

A COCO TV PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH A TYRONE PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

07

FACTUAL

Orla Tinsley: Warrior The Genius of George Boole

1 X 60' 1 X 60'

30 year old Orla Tinsley has fought the chronic lung disease cystic Narrated by Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, The Genius of George
fibrosis since birth. This personal journey takes an unflinching look into Boole assembles academics and industry leaders from across the
her life as she begins to lose the battle. globe to explore the life and importance of one of the world’s greatest
mathematicians and unsung heroes. This film shines new light on
With a limited life expectancy, Orla once wrote that she believed her the legacy of George Boole, now recognised as the forefather of the
30th birthday would be her expiration date. Following her dreams information age.
regardless she left her home in Ireland to study writing at New York’s
Columbia University. At almost the same time as she enters her third From his humble background as a cobbler’s son, Boole’s genius became
decade, in the ‘world’s most exciting city’, she is put on a waiting list for apparent from a young age. Without a university education and given his
a double lung transplant and her life becomes one of biding time. family background, finding a role within the formal structures of British
society was challenging for the young Boole. 
This film looks back at
Over the next 14 months, this powerful and emotive documentary how and why the newly-founded Queen’s College, Cork opened in 1849,
charts Orla’s failing health, her determined and joyous spirit, and the provided him with a job as its first Professor of Mathematics and, in turn,
excruciating false alarm calls that would bring her tantalizingly close to the financial resources to support his family back in England.
new set of lungs and a new life. Finally, and just in time, the one call that
matters comes through. World-renowned film producer, Lord David Puttnam, sets the scene for
the film by posing the question: “Is George Boole important?” Puttnam
continues: “I guess, no George Boole, no Google, no Amazon, no Intel.
That makes him pretty important,” emphasising how this unknown
mathematician is indeed a key figure in our global age.

AN RTÉ PRODUCTION AN OXFORD FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION

08

FACTUAL

My Trans Life The Only Gay in the Village

2 X 60' 1 X 60'

In July 2015 Irish citizens were given the right to change their legal What is it like for a gay, lesbian or bi-sexual person growing up and coming
gender based on self-identification alone, without medical or state out in small towns and villages? In a heartfelt, beautiful, funny and intimate
intervention, making Ireland a global leader in trans-rights and one portrait of LGBT life in rural Ireland, we discover that the reality is at times
of just five countries in the world that has legislation based on self- both shockingly sad and uplifting.
determination. This legal recognition gave many Irish transgender
people the courage to publicly come out and live as the gender they Do we still worry about what the neighbours say? Can you walk down
identify with. the street with your partner without fear, stigma or shame and be an
accepted part of the community? Is the idea of ‘the only gay in the village’
Filmed over the course of two years, My Trans Life offers an intimate still a reality?
portrait into the lives of five young transgender people on their journey
to transition. Its brave participants share their experiences of the The Only Gay in the Village visits Ireland’s towns and villages, hearing
depression, anxiety and mood-swings that are part of the journey, stories about fear, family, secrecy and honesty from people coming to
the rejection by family and friends, the fear of being ridiculed or even terms with being themselves in their rural communities.
attacked on the streets and the dream they each have to lead a
normal life.

My Trans Life documents the progress the trans community have made
in recent years, as well as the struggles they are still engaged in for
acceptance and understanding.

A THAT’S A WRAP / ZUCCA FILMS PRODUCTION RTÉ AN RTÉ PRODUCTION
09

FACTUAL

Pope Francis: The Sinner Jesus: Countdown to Calvary

1 X 60' 1 X 60'

The Pope who calls himself ‘a sinner’ is, certainly, a man of Hugh Bonneville reveals how a perfect storm of political intrigue, power
contradictions. But how did Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was loved and struggles and clashing religious passions combined, in a single week, to
loathed by his fellow Jesuits back in Argentina, become Pope? cause the event that changed the world: the killing of Jesus.

Since 2013, Pope Francis has begun to revolutionise a Church that For the first time on television, world-renowned actor and Cambridge
was in crisis and losing its way. Pope Francis’ down to earth style theology graduate, Hugh Bonneville, sets out to discover why that one
and concern for those on the margins, have roused affection from execution, in a century when as many as 500 people a day were crucified
believers and non-believers alike. But he wasn’t always as popular as by the Romans, had such seismic, lasting and global impact, for better and
he is today. for worse.

Hearing from Argentinean Jesuits who lived with him, this programme He uses all the investigative and storytelling tools at his disposal to
explores his reputation as a hard-line authoritarian Provincial who reveal the context, characters and chain of events behind the week that
divided the Jesuits. changed the world. In the process, he finds that this is no dusty religious
story, but a political thriller – a whodunnit, even – shot through with
Can Pope Francis do what Bergoglio, the Jesuit Provincial, couldn’t do intrigue, spin, conspiracy, power battles, betrayal and terror.
– unite and reform a fractured Church? Leading Church figures and
commentators help to offer a portrait of a Pope who is having impact,
not despite his past failings, but because of them.

AN RTÉ PRODUCTION AN RTÉ PRODUCTION

10

FACTUAL

Schizophrenia: The Voices in Autism and Me
my Head
1 X 60'
1 X 60'
Autism And Me is a revealing observational documentary that explores
This documentary tracks the daily lives, struggles and triumphs of the autism spectrum through the experiences of a number of Irish
some young Irish people living with schizophrenia. children, teenagers and young adults.

They speak openly about what it’s like to live with such a severe We hear directly from a range of diverse and engaging participants about
mental health disorder and struggle with delusional thoughts and what living with autism is like and about how they feel they are perceived
the internal voices that are associated with schizophrenia. by the rest of the world.

They struggle socially and are prone to anxiety and depression. Through a series of personal testimonies, we are afforded a rare
But the extraordinary thing is how they are managing – to whatever opportunity to see life from the perspectives of those living with autism.
extent – to control the condition rather than let it control them. We
will see these young people at their happiest and darkest moments.
As one put it – ‘Thirty years ago I would have been locked up,
medicated up to my eyeballs and abandoned in some institution,
but that is now changing’.

A FRONTLINE FILMS PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ A FIREBRAND PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ
11

FACTUAL

Wild Cities A Wild Irish Year

4 X 60' 4 X 60'

Wild Cities is a fascinating four-part series set on the streets of Cork, A Wild Irish Year is a captivating four-part series bringing us all across
Dublin, Galway and Belfast revealing each city’s wildest, yet most the country from our wild coasts, mountains and woodlands to farms,
secretive residents – the wild animals that live there. towns and cities.

Filmed over three years using the most up-to-date camera Filmed over the course of a year each episode guides us through a
technologies, infrared ‘night vision’ and super slow-motion, Wild Cities single season with cutting edge camera technologies that allowed the
reveals an urban world teeming with wildlife in the most unexpected production team to capture Ireland’s changing seasons in new and
and unusual places. exciting ways.

As more and more people move into cities and towns we are losing High-speed cameras slow down the frantic movements of Sandmartins
our vital connection with the natural world. Across this series we will and Swallows, tiny migrants that come all the way from Africa, incredible
reveal the wildlife that we share our urban spaces with and the aim low-light technology reveals the Autumnal activity of a Badger sett, aerial
is to get people to open their eyes, look around them and enjoy the footage offers a bird’s-eye-view of the shifting countryside below and
natural wonders the city has to offer. People will be surprised by what timelapse photography accelerates the gradual changes in the weather
they can see right under their noses. It is all right there – on your way to and landscape to allow viewers the opportunity to watch as the island
work, on a night out, in your local park or in your very own back garden. transforms through the year.

A CROSSING THE LINE PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ A CROSSING THE LINE PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ

12

FORMATS

Operation Transformation Play It By Year

10 Series, 100+ Episodes 1 Series, 4 Episodes

Operation Transformation is a movement, a connection point for people Play It By Year is a family entertainment quiz show format where teams go
who want to improve their health by rebalancing their lives. It’s very head to head in a time travelling test of memory, teamwork and general
social, it empowers people to connect and support each other and it has knowledge, answering questions based on entertaining archive clips.
managed to grow its engagement each year because it’s built on a very
simple premise, follow people who are transforming their lives, connect A mixture of funny and nostalgic clips keeps the kids entertained and
with them and as they do it, copy their plan and share the journey. takes the adults on a trip down memory lane with everything from
outrageous fashions to big news items of the day.
Operation Transformation is a living event, it’s in real time so people are
encouraged to choose a leader most like them and follow their plan, Battling through the decades, only one team reaches the end game. The
take the shopping list to the store, cook the food and do the exercise final round is against the clock to win the grand prize. It’s nostalgic–fuelled
by following the videos online. Operation Transformation works with fun family entertainment quiz show.
the biggest supermarket chains to make it easy to shop the plan.
For the five leaders the cameras move into their lives 24 / 7 capturing
their highs and lows, honestly showing transformation can be a tough
journey emotionally and physically. There are no winners or losers;
this show is about encouragement and community. People share their
transformation so others can follow.

FORMAT: RTÉ / VIP FORMAT: RTÉ
BROADCASTER: RTÉ BROADCASTER: RTÉ

13

FORMATS

Missing You Black Sheep

1 Series, 6 Episodes 1 Series, 6 Episodes

A window on real life separations, Missing You is about the lengths In this family genealogy format, ordinary people go in search of
families and friends will go to maintain and nurture relationships with the truth behind their own family’s notorious histories, myths and
their loved ones in spite of vast geographical distance. adventures, to find out if their ancestors legend is true.

This format captures their stories and witnesses their relationships In each stand alone episode and with the help of relevant genealogical
all through the confines of video calls. Viewers see firsthand the and historical experts the contributor will attempt to put a face and
intimacy, the honesty, the highs of everyday life, the lows, as well as profile to their most infamous family members – who were considered
the complexities of missing home. the back sheep of the family – but who may well have changed the
course of history.
Missing You is unique – it is the first series in the world to be created
exclusively from video calls, user generated stills and videos. The
programme gives the audience unfiltered and unprecedented
access to the participant’s lives and shows that, though they may be
far apart physically, their emotional ties remain as strong as ever.

By recording the video conversations of our group, as they call home
to their friends and family, we experience everything with them, from
big announcements to unexpected moments of everyday magic – a
wife far from her husband’s side; a brother and sister experiencing
the cycle of life; and a daughter introducing her new son to her family
back home.

FORMAT: RTÉ / NRK FORMAT: RTÉ CORK
BROADCASTER: RTÉ BROADCASTER: RTÉ

14

FORMATS

Mother Knows Best On the Day I Was Born

1 Series, 6 Episodes 2 Series, 12 Episodes

Mothers of wannabe stars get the chance to take control of their grown- This format combines nostalgia, national and international news and
up children’s lives for one week. Each episode a Mother moves in with popular culture with the personal insight into a well-known face. 
her offspring and tackles an area of their life which she believes needs to
be improved. Each show chronicles a well loved celebrity as they sift through the
newspapers, radio and television archive from the day they were born.
For this extraordinary week mother takes charge and her word is law. Who was making news? Who was making trouble? What were the
With the wisdom of hindsight and age, the mum knows what should be significant sporting events on the day? What fashion, music, film, food,
done, but her children are not always appreciative of the advice. television programmes, fads were in vogue? 

Will the week with mum enhance their career or blow their After the celebrity has gained a good insight into events on the day they
relationship to smithereens? were born, under the guidance of a historian, they select three key events
that resonate with them and revisit the places, people and stories from
that day and time.

This format offers a unique way for broadcasters to re-package their
existing archive collections into an entertaining half hour of television
suitable for peak time viewing.

FORMAT: A STOP.WATCH TELEVISION PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ 
FORMAT: ADARE PRODUCTIONS
BROADCASTER: RTÉ BROADCASTER: TG4

15

LIFESTYLE

Incredible Homes Room to Improve

6 X 60' 46 X 60'

Ireland’s best-known architect Dermot Bannon showcases some of Irish architect Dermot Bannon is delivered a brief: His challenge will be
the world’s most amazing, unique and architecturally designed homes.   to deliver dream homes with maximum “Wow” at minimum cost: from
suburban semi-d’s to bungalow bliss.
From sunny Sydney to London city, from stylish Melbourne to the
snowy landscape of northern Sweden, from New York to Los Angeles, With hopes and dreams to fulfil for home-owners who know exactly what
Dermot explores how people live in luxury around the world. they want from their architect, Dermot and his designs are under more
pressure than ever: second-guessed by clients, ambushed by unforeseen
A city pad worth £30 million in Mayfair in London, a cave inspired problems on site and forced to re-design as his grand vision outstrips the
house that has a 3 metre python in the rainforest back garden, an budget.
isolated log cabin in snowy Sweden and a massive poly-carbonate
structure with a swimming pool in the bedroom are some of the more Expect last minute changes, construction dilemmas, frayed tempers,
unusual houses visited. cunning plans, last minute rescues and most of all impressive reveals.

Sometimes it is the homes themselves and sometimes it is the people
behind the homes that are the star of these shows.

A COCO TV PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ A COCO TV PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ

16

LIFESTYLES

Donal’s Meals in Minutes Neven’s Food Trails Series

17 X 30' 32 X 30'

Chef Donal Skehan’s new cookery series is all about meals for the Neven Maguire is an Irish celebrity chef and television personality, and the
modern cook; just because they are quick to cook doesn’t mean that head chef and proprietor of the famous MacNean House and Restaurant.
you have to compromise on taste or flavour.
Neven travels across Spain to Andalusia, a region in the south west of
Donal teaches viewers everything they need to know about modern Spain. He visits the Basque Country and La Rioja, two regions in Northern
meals by giving them lots of tips, hints and cooking hacks. After Spain which are renowned for their cuisine. He travels from Venice on
spending a year on the move in different kitchens around the world, the Adriatic Coast, to Sorrento on the Mediterranean, visiting Parma,
before settling in LA last year, Donal realised the need for quick cooking Florence & Tuscany. In Ireland he visits a range of counties based in Lough
meals with little equipment for the time strapped home cook. Ree on the Shannon Princess barge.

Meals in Minutes gives viewers a bullet proof guide to quick cooking, In each episode of this travel & food extravaganza, Neven cooks a dish
using one pan dinners, 5 ingredient suppers and shop bought meals. inspired by the huge range of local produce he has discovered in each
location.

AN APPETITE MEDIA PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ AN IN-PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ
17

LIFESTYLE

Cook, Eat, Burn How to Cook Well
with Rory O’Connell
6 X 30'
24 X 30'
Cook, Eat, Burn combines cooking, healthy eating & exercise as chef Rory O’Connell, Ireland’s most experienced cookery teacher, is back with
Donal Skehan undertakes a series of challenges, and prepares some his third series of How to Cook Well with Rory O’Connell.
healthy food, designed for an active lifestyle.
Rory has been teaching people to cook for more than 30 years, having
During the series Donal climbs Ireland’s highest mountain, goes co-founded the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School with his sister Darina
kayaking, coasteering, rock climbing, abseiling, cycling and joins a boot Allen. The Cork chef enjoyed great success with his first two series’, and
camp. He is joined on the challenges by Dr Brendan Egan, a university the Christmas specials which he has co-presented with Darina for the
lecturer on sports nutrition and an amateur footballer. Brendan past three years, have also been hugely popular with viewers. 
explains to Donal the different types of exercise he is undertaking,
and the different physiological effects they are having on his body and As well as teaching, Rory has worked as a chef in some of the world’s top
together they discuss the best types of food to eat for quick bursts of restaurants including Chez Nico, Chez Panisse and with Raymond Blanc
energy, for prolonged bouts of exercise and for recovery. at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons. Rory’s first book ‘Master It’ won the Andre
Simon Food Book Award in 2013.
Donal cooks four separate dishes in each episode, designed to match
the activities and maximise the health and fitness benefits derived
from them.

AN IN-PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ AN IN-PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ

18

LIFESTYLES

Grow, Cook, Eat It’s a Park Life

7 X 30' 6 X 30'

Grow Cook Eat is a new series about how you can grow your own food. In this monumental new six-part documentary series, viewers go behind-
You can grow vegetables and fruit in a very small garden, or even in the- scenes like never before in one of Europe’s largest city parks, the
containers on an apartment balcony, you don’t need half an acre or a Phoenix Park.
poly tunnel to do it. 
Narrated by Emmy winner Baz Ashmawy “It’s a Park’s Life” is the perfect
Each programme focuses on a particular vegetable and takes us show for the whole family to sit down and enjoy together. Phoenix Park
through the entire process, from sowing the seed, to harvesting and to is like a city within a city. Three hundred and fifty years old and spanning
cooking. over 1,750 acres in the centre of Dublin, it is a diverse microcosm lived in
and enjoyed by dignitaries and Dubliners alike.
This is a practical series, aimed at people with little or no knowledge, but
who like the idea of being able to grow something themselves. As well Throughout this landmark series, viewers will also get a chance to meet
as the some of the people who give the Phoenix Park its unique charm. There’s
step-by-step guides to growing vegetables, there are features on Barbara and her “children”, six Maltese dogs, former Dublin hurler Joey
building raised beds, making a compost heap and improving soil fertility. 

Towell, who teaches hurling to busloads of tourists every single day for
free, and Gráinne, the park’s beloved ice-cream lady-cum-matchmaker.
Each programme ends with a recipe using the featured vegetable and
cooked by one of our two chefs featured in the series.

Series 2 in production.

AN INPRODUCTION PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ A MOONDANCE PRODUCTION FOR RTÉ
19

CONTACT
Edel Edwards
[email protected]
+ 353 87 624 9900 (m)
+ 353 1 208 2030 (w)
Gráinne Coleman
[email protected]
+ 353 86 8584111 (m)
+ 353 1 208 3981 (w)

www.rte.ie/programmesales

Programme
Sales