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Festive treats on TG4 this Christmas

03.12.24

TG4’s Christmas schedule has plenty of festive treats to entertain the entire family from 22nd December to 5th January.

^{Pic: Catherine Clinch, An Cailín Ciúin}
 

The Oscar-nominated film An Cailín Ciúin has its TV premier on Christmas day at 8pm on TG4. The film tells the story of Cáit played by newcomer Catherine Clinch, a nine-year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with foster parents for the summer. Despite a warm reception from the woman, Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), the man of the house, Seán (Andrew Bennett), keeps his distance from Cáit and she from him, but over time, their strained relationship begins to deepen. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth. Based on Foster by Claire Keegan. An Cailín Ciúin is the debut of writer/director, Colm Bairéad and producer, Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal.

This season’s brand-new documentaries include Na Lumière Gaelacha on St. Stephen’s Day 9.10pm. This documentary takes you into the magical world of three brothers, James (Jim), Thomas (Tom) and Philip (Phil) Horgan. Three boys from Youghal Co. Cork, saw a chink of light sparking in Europe, and followed that light, creating cinematic and animation history in Ireland.

On the 28^th of December at 8.25pm in Thomas Moore- Bard na hÉireann we explore Moore’s intriguing life and work while hearing new interpretations of many of his best-known songs such as The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer, from contemporary artists such as Duke Special and Méav Ní Mhaolchatha. Thomas Moore’s life remains a mystery some 250 years on.

In 2021 Hughes’ pub closed its doors for the last time following the death of its owner. In the film, Farewell to Hughes on the 29^th of December at 8.30pm Brendan Gleeson interviews musicians, dancers, and singers to tell the story of the unassuming pub and its lasting contribution to his life and traditional music.

We honour 50 years of Ladies Gaelic Football in this special documentary LGFA@50 (22/12  4pm). It will take viewers on a journey to the heart of the sport, from the local pitch all the way to Croke Park. An Bothy Band ISL (Christmas Day 6.25pm) Ireland’s foremost traditional music band reunited for a special documentary. On Christmas Day this documentary airs with Irish Sign Language. With special interviews & behind the scenes rehearsals footage this unique documentary looks into the Bothy Band & their legacy. An Cliath Oilimpeach (2/1 7.15pm) Filmed over several years, this documentary reveals the many hurdles Diarmuid Clancy faced as he was training to reach the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Fáilte 2025 on New Year’s Eve at 11.30pm Dáithí Ó Sé and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin will ring in the New Year with the best of traditional Irish music and song in Beflast’s Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, with Máire Brennan, Ríoghnach Connolly, John McSherry, Piaras Ó Lorcáin and many more. In the Cobblestone in Dublin Fiachna Ó Braonáin will be joined by Aoife Scott, Liam O’Connor, Meave Mulligan and Marywalloper, Andrew Hendy, while in Tigh Chualáin in Galway, Síle Seoige will host Róisín Seoige with Imlé, Conor Connolly, Sorcha Costello and Na Fíréin.

There will also be a wealth of traditional Irish music with Geantraí na Nollag on Christmas Day 9.35pm. Recorded in the iconic Tigh Hughes in An Spidéal and presented by the new series presenter acclaimed singer, Pauline Scanlon. Joining Pauline will be Johnny Óg Connolly, Mary Coughlan & band, Mary Bergin, Eilish Lennon, Seán Lennon, Padraig Ó Dubhghail, Seosamh Ó Neachtain, Fergal Scahill, Ryan Molloy, Padraig Jack & Band, Galvian way & Cór Chois Farraige.  Carna an Cheoil agus na nAmhrán (1/1/25 9.20pm). For over a century, music collectors have flocked to Carna in Conamara, drawn by its rich Gaelic traditions. In this programme, we immerse ourselves in Carna’s vibrant heritage, exploring the treasures passed down through generations and meeting the new wave of locals proudly keeping their native culture alive today.

For music lovers, there’s a mix of home-grown talent along with international artists. Tommy Fleming- Christmas Songs for a Winter’s Night (Christmas Eve 7.15pm) recorded live in the intimate setting of Belleek Castle, Ballina with an invited audience of family and friends & Tommy Fleming- Live in Galway Cathedral (30/12 7.15pm) recorded in Galway Cathedral filmed before a live audience. Billie Eilish: Live at the O2 – (1/1/25) Billie Eilish released a visual record of her breathtaking concert film captured live at The O2 in London in 2023.

Other concerts include: Oasis – Live at Glasgow Barrowlands (22/12/24), Elvis Costello: Live at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (23/12/24),  Bruce Springsteen: The Pogues In Paris (25/12/24), Live in Dublin (26/12/24), Rod Stewart – It Had To Be You (27/12/24), Rolling Stones: Ladies & Gentlemen

(29/12/24) George Michael: Live in London (2/1/25), Queen: A Night at the Odeon (4/1/25).

Join the festive fun in Ros na Rún where Christmas secrets will be revealed.  Súil Siar – Oireachtas 2024 reflects on the main individual competitions in the various categories from Oireachtas na Samhna 2024. 7 Lá – Súil Siar na Bliana (23/12 4.30pm) A look back at the major stories debated on TG4’s main news and current affairs programme. Politics and the economy, regional, national, and international affairs. Siar 20 Bliain (27/12 6.15pm) Máire T. Ní Mhadaoin and Professor Emeritus Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh explore the stories, national and regional, that stem from this year’s release by the National Archives. There will be a particular emphasis on stories relating to the Irish language and to Gaeltacht communities.

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 in Cúil na Bliana (25/12 3.15pm) The 30 best hurling and football Goals of The Year in 2024 as voted by the public. GAA2024 na Scéalta (28/12 4.55pm) takes a look back at the biggest stories and drama from the 2024 GAA, LGFA and Camogie seasons. Cluichí na Bliana- Another chance to see some of the Football and Hurling games throughout the past year. Ag Triall ar Chill na Martra (30/12 8.55pm) During the June Bank holiday weekend, Cumann Peile Cill na Martra in Gaeltacht Mhúscraí hosted the event. We follow the festival organisers, players, managers and supporters from the teams competing in the tournament. We also have live rugby action from Rugbaí Beo Munster v Leinster (27/12  7pm). Rugbaí Beo Sharks v Stormers (28/12  2.55pm).

There’s a range of films to entertain all throughout the festive season. Irish Movies include Froggie (2024 Comedy) (23/12 9.30pm) Starring Seán T Ó Meallaigh, Carrie Crowley, Gearoid Kavanagh, Lucia Evans and Paul Oakley Stovall. A film by Luke & Jake Morgan. Fiachra and Tadhg peaked at the age of 7 when they appeared on TV to sing a song with their homemade puppet Froggie. 25 years later, they must team up again when Froggie is kidnapped. Another chance to watch Poitín (1979) (29/12 7.15pm) A digitally remastered version of Bob Quinn’s famous film, the first Irish language film ever made. Two local degenerates terrorize an old man for his poitín. Starring Cyril Cusack and Mick Lally, Donal McCann and Niall Tóibín. Róise & Frank (1/1/25 7.45pm) award winning Irish language film featuring a woman who believes a dog is the reincarnation of her late husband. Bríd Ní Neachtáin received IFTA 2023 best actress award for her role in this film.

Other movies include Rocketman, Die Hard, Bridesmaids, High Fidelity, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Mamma Mia- Here We Go Again!, Knives Out, and Pulp Fiction. Family movies include Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Despicable Me 3, The Secret Life of Pets, Shrek 2, Stuart Little, Into the West, Doctor Dolittle 2, Fantastic Mr. Fox, About a Boy and Marley & Me.  Daytime movies include The Producers, The Italian Job, The BFG, Matilda, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Oliver!, Babe, Vertigo, Beethoven, Some Like it Hot, and The Seven Year Itch. 

More information on TG4 Christmas movies here: Movies on TG4 Christmas 2024