Press

TG4’s Christmas Crackers 2023

Music, nostalgia and celebrations are among the festive treats on TG4 this Christmas.

14.12.23

^{Pic: Grace Kelly}

TG4’s Christmas schedule has plenty of festive treats to entertain the entire family. This season’s brand-new documentaries include Grace Kelly – Banphríonsa Mhaigh Eo (Christmas Day 9.30pm) which looks at the life and career of the actress and Princess, Grace Kelly featuring exclusive interviews with her son, Prince Albert II, and rare archive from her private collection. The tv premier of the award-winning Scannán Cine4: Róise & Frank a film from the Cine4 scheme starring Bríd Ní Neachtain who took the IFTA 2023 for actress in a lead role for this performance. Bríd plays a widow who having given up on life becomes convinced that a stray dog is the reincarnation of her hurling-loving husband. (Christmas Day 8pm). Tom Munnelly- Fear na n-amhrán about the song collector, Tom Munnelly, featuring music from Christy Moore, Sinéad O’Connor, Thomas McCarthy, Lisa Lambe and Lankum. (Christmas Eve 8.15pm)
 
Gael Linn ag 70 is a commemorative programme of music and song to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Gael-Linn. (St. Stephen’s Day 8pm). Mise Éire – A rare broadcast of George Morrison’s acclaimed documentary film as seen through contemporary newsreel footage (St. Stephen’s Day 9pm). Paddy na Meachain (New) In this new documentary we meet the remarkable Paddy Finnerty, whose dedication to preserving the Native Irish Black bee population has become the focus of his life. Prepare to be inspired by Paddy’s extraordinary story, filled with moments of laughter, introspection, and love for the environment. (30/12 9.20pm). In Inis Meáin Idir Dhá Linn we meet photographer Chris Rodmell’s who documented Inis Meáin 50 years ago. This captivating documentary transports viewers to a remote island, offering a poetic glimpse into its past, present, and future (28/12 9.20pm).
 
For the music lovers we have plenty of offerings including; Fánaíocht (23/12 9pm) – a cinematic celebration of music and its nomadic essence, exploring the musical migrations that define its evolution through time and geography. Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live! – A musical performance by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga live in New York City in 2014 (27/12).  David Bowie: The Last 5 Years – A documentary about the last five years of David Bowie’s life. Followed by a David Bowie concert from 2004, recorded live at the Point Depot in Dublin (28/12). Elvis: ’68 Comeback Special – Elvis Presley’s iconic comeback tour in 1968 (1/1/24). Ó Bhéal – Explore the intersection of Irish hip-hop and electronic music with insights from musicians drawing on folklore and Sean-nós singing (2/1/24).
 
Join the festive fun in Ros na Rún where Christmas secrets will be revealed. Steip na nÓg 2023 – Súil Siar – Reflects on the main individual Sean-Nós dancing competitions in the youth category from Oireachtas na Samhna 2023 (1/1/24). Fadó Fadó – brings us on a nostalgic journey through 60 years of the funniest and most entertaining Irish television adverts (1/1/24).
 
On New Year’s Eve we pay tribute to the late Rónán Mac Aodh Bhuí in An Cabaret Craiceáilte – a programme that celebrated the 25th anniversary of the revolutionary Irish language event, An Cabaret Craiceáilte. To ring in the New Year join Dáithí Ó Sé & Doireann Ní Ghlacáin along with various artists in different locations around the country as we welcome the new year in Fáilte 2024 at 11.30pm.
 
Sporting events have kept us enthralled for the past twelve months and over Christmas you have another chance to see some of these major events like both hurling and football All-Ireland finals. We also have live rugby action from Rugbaí Beo Connacht v Munster on New Year’s Day. We’ll have the 30 best hurling & football goals of the year in 2023 as voted by the public.
 
Nollaig an Yeití (Christmas Eve 7pm), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Christmas Day 2pm), The Boss Baby (St. Stephen’s Day 5pm), Curious George, Moncaí Ríoga (New Year’s Eve 6.25pm) My Little Pony (New Year’s Day 8am), and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1/1/24 5.30pm).
 
There’s a range of films from classics to Westerns to Contemporary international cinema. Among these are, Gone with the Wind, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Blues Brothers, Die Hard, Dirty Dancing, Annie, Singing In The Rain, How to Marry a Millionaire, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Cool Hand Luke, War of the Buttons, To Sir, with Love and Doctor Dolittle 2. More information on TG4 Christmas movies here: TG4 Movies Christmas 2023

Digital Drops on the TG4 Player this Christmas
 
Northern Lights: (6-part series available on the TG4 Player) Northern Lights tells the story of two grieving strangers whose worlds collide on a rainy night in Dublin. https://nasc.tg4.tv/Northern-Lights
 
Dry Water, Series 1 & 2: Dry Water begins when Paulo Duarte is found dead from a gunshot wound in the port of Vigo. Nobody is convinced by the apparent suicide; neither his bosses, nor the police nor his sister, Teresa. https://nasc.tg4.tv/Dry-Water
 
Cine4: Cine4 is an initiative from a TG4, IFB and BAI partnership to develop original feature films in the Irish language. Among the films that are now available on the TG4 Player are Finky, Arracht and Foscadh.  https://nasc.tg4.tv/Cine4