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RAISED BY THE VILLAGE

Carly, 16, from The Muihevnamore Estate, Dundalk on The Quinn Family Farm, Aughawillan Ballinamore, Co Leitrim Image Name: Carly, 16, from The Muihevnamore Estate, Dundalk on The Quinn Family Farm, Aughawillan Ballinamore, Co Leitrim Description: Carly, 16, from The Muihevnamore Estate, Dundalk on The Quinn Family Farm, Aughawillan Ballinamore, Co Leitrim

EPISODE 2 – BALLINAMORE CO LEITRIM

After a hugely successful pilot episode broadcast in 2018 RAISED BY THE VILLAGE returns for a 4 Part Series. Each episode of this brand new Irish-developed parenting format features two urban families who need major help with a veering-off-the-rails teenager and are taking drastic steps to get it.

They’re each moving their troublesome teen to the heart of the countryside allowing them to be raised by the village.  But will the teens learn to behave better when they’re part of a tight-knit community where the local adults keep a very close eye on what they get up to?

This new series features 8 teenagers from Darndale, Neilstown, Swords, Waterford City and the troubled estate of Muirhavnamore in Dundalk.  The teenagers are embraced by families in Ballintubber County Roscommon, Ballinamore County Leitrim, Clonaslee County Laois, Ballintra and Moville in County Donegal.

The teenagers live with local families and take part in local activities, experiencing an early-to-rise, wi-fi free outdoor lifestyle that’s a million miles away from their worlds of Playstation, Snapchat, Fast Food and all-day lie-ins.

An immersive new take on TV parenting programmes RAISED BY THE VILLAGE is for every Irish parent who’s ever wondered if raising their kids in a slower-paced, more community-centred environment might make a real difference?

ADAM:

Adam aged 17 from Swords went to work on The O’Connell Family Sheep Farm outside Ballinamore

When Adam went to the Village in July he was refusing point blank to go back to school to sit his Leaving Cert.  He’d aced his Junior Cert but his focus faded dramatically in 5th year – now he was bent on dropping out altogether – and his parents were terrified for his future.

Adam’s into skateboarding, bikes, body piercing, tattoos, animation and gaming.  His parents split when he was younger and he lives with his Dad David – spending weekends at his Mum Audrey’s.

Both parents were finding Adam’s behaviour increasingly difficult.  All attempts to convince him to go back to school were greeted with sullen scorn.  He was sulky, uncommunicative and simmering with anger.  Could time out in the village help?

ADAM’S HOST FAMILY:

John and Amanda O’Connell run a sheep farm which has been in John’s family for three generations while John also works locally as a reserve firefighter – they have 3 teenage children Peter, Dearbhla and Lizzie.  Amanda is hugely involved in The Scouting Movement and is a Scout Leader while John is well known in Leitrim Amateur Dramatic and MC’s at local community events.

The O’Connell’s eldest son Peter (15) is focused on taking over the family farm and planned to go to Agricultural College while his sisters are heavily into sport – especially swimming.

CARLY:

Carly aged 16 went to work on the Quinn family farm outside Ballinamore

Carly lives on the sprawling Muirhevnamore Estate in Dundalk with her Mum Tanya and two Sisters.  Tanya is raising her 3 daughters alone.

Carly used to love art and sport but when she hit 14 she lost interest in everything – everything except hanging around the local chipper and smoking.  The smoking has slowed her down and caused problems in school

She’s constantly being suspended for disruptive behaviour and contravening the school rules…around smoking!

Carly’s Mum wanted her bright, active child back and turned to the village for help.

CARLY’S HOST FAMILY THE QUINNS:

Colleen & Donal Quinn met in the States, they moved back to Leitrim 25 years ago. Colleen was born in Chicago though her parents are Irish. Donal is born and bred in Leitrim. They both had their DNA tested recently for the family tree and discovered Colleen has more Irish blood in her than Donal –  which she thinks is hilarious!

Colleen and Donal have three kids Devan 25, Niamh 22 and Ashling 19 – they’re now all away at college.

The Quinn family farm is idyllic, they have a pony, eight bee hives and a large stock of sheep.  Colleen is deeply into arts & crafts and has an art studio on the farm where she teaches art to local children.