Press

Dúiseacht

TG4 Thursdays from 19th November 8pm

11.11.20

‘Dúiseacht’ is a new 5-part documentary series following life on the Dingle Peninsula from May to October 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The series was filmed from the time of the 20km lockdown in mid-May, when the hugely popular tourist destination was at its quietest in years, to the re-opening of pubs and restaurants in June, right through the manic weeks in July and August when, despite Covid, Dingle was buzzing, and proceeding to the recent changes in early October. ‘Dúiseacht’ follows the lives of the owners and managers of pubs, cafés, schools and hairdressers, and spends time with musicians and singers, so important to the fabric of this west Kerry Gaeltacht, all living through the uncertainty and stress of one of the most challenging times our generation has ever faced.

Narrated by veteran broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, the title of the series was taken from Mícheal’s inspirational quote ‘Dúiseacht le dúthracht le breacadh an lae’ – ‘To wake with enthusiasm at the dawning of day’. Micheál, who spent much of the pandemic cocooning in his native Dún Síon outside Dingle, shared the inspiring and still relevant wisdom of his Grandmother, which resonated with many early on in the pandemic and is recorded in the school’s folklore collection, collected in the 1930’s.

On his first day back at work since the closing of society, the series features Muiris Firtéar, a builder, renovating the world famous Foxy John’s pub on Main Street, Dingle. In nearby Baile an Fheirtéaraigh pub owner Dónal Ó Catháin shows us the empty street in a village which should be building up to a hectic Summer season but is eerily empty. Award winning musician, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, and her husband, humanist celebrant Billy Mag Fhloinn, grapple with the technology required to produce and share music videos and the reality of all their sources of income being lost indefinitely and the challenge of homeschooling their young daughters. In Coumineoil, facing the Blasket islands, Niamh Feirtéar, owner of the café with the most picturesque view in Ireland, Caifé na Tráigh, feels for her son Cathal, the only child of his age in the area, who hasn’t seen his peers in 100 days. School principal Éamonn Fitzmaurice, ex Kerry football manager, is trying to support staff and students while planning for what’s ahead. Breanndán Begley is enjoying the stillness of life and hairdresser Máire Johnson practices on her lucky Mother!

At Gallarus campsite TP Ó Conchubhair and his grandson Éanna are hopeful, if they get good weather. The FishBox in Dingle erect a marquee to accommodate more potential customers. To others tradition is more important than business and pensioner Toose Mac Gearailt hopes that people will come to his annual gathering and bonfire on St John’s Eve.
 
‘Dúiseacht’ screens over 5 weeks, sharing the experience of life on the Dingle Peninsula during Covid.

‘Dúiseacht’ will be broadcast on TG4 every Thursday from November 19th at 8pm following the hopes and fears of this creative, resilient community as they face the reality of 2020.

‘Dúiseacht’ is directed by Feilimí O’Connor, produced by Niamh Ní Bhaoill and is a production of Dingle based Aniar TV.