An exploration by actor Carrie Crowley of Ireland’s relationship with the sea is the theme of a one-off documentary on TG4 next week (Apr 29)
Billed as “a personal journey in Ireland’s waters”, Crowley spends time with “some of the greatest thinkers, activists, swimmers and sea dogs” who are “passionate to preserve our waters into the future”, TG4 says.
“As a committed sea and fresh water swimmer, Carrie is passionate about the health benefits of being in or near water, but she is also deeply aware of the changes happening to the quality of our waters and the health of our ocean into the future,” it says.
Along Ireland’s west and south coasts, she meets people whose lives and work are closely tied to the sea.
In her native Waterford, Carrie returns to the beach of her youth, Trá an Bháid, where she joins a local swimming group for a dip.
At Rossnowlagh in Donegal, she meets renowned surfer and environmentalist Easkey Britton.
Carrie Crowley and musician and sea swimmer Breandán Ó Beaglaoich in Corca Dhuibhne
On to Conamara, where archaeologist Michael Gibbons discusses a local shell midden and its significance, and she visits the Coral Strand in An Cheathrú Rua, where she meets Danny de Bhailís.
The documentary takes her to Ros Muc, a place she first visited at the age of ten while learning Irish, where she speaks with seaweed harvester Máirtín Sonny (RIP) about traditional practices.
The documentary also explores the science behind a changing ocean. Marine biologist Gearóid McCarthy, from Clonakilty, outlines the impact of rising sea temperatures on fragile marine ecosystems.
At Cork's Roche’s Point, Frances Gallagher introduces her to the concept of “tropification”—a striking indicator of climate change in Irish waters.
Carrie Crowley and oceanographer Gerard McCarthy
In Clochar, Corca Dhuibhne, Co Kerry, folklorist Aoife Granville shares local stories and traditions. She also joins musician Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich for a swim off the pier at Cuas an Bhodaigh.
Entitled “Sáile”, it will be broadcasts on Wednesday, April 29th, at 9.45 pm on TG4.
This documentary was funded by TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán.
