Episode Three:
Ennis to Kilkee – Immortalised by the Percy French song “Are you Right There Michael Are You Right?”, the West Clare Railway has become one of the world’s most celebrated railway lines. Enda travels from Ennis to Killkee, takes a trip on a renovated steam train and meets some of Co. Clare’s finest – including Tara Breen (The Chieftains), Martin Breen, Myra Shannon, Marty Morrissey, Tony Killeen, Roísín Garvey and steam train revivalist Jackie Whelan.
Series Overview:
‘Iarnród Enda’ is a six-part series set to air from Monday 5th April at 8.30pm on RTÉ One. Funded by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund and produced by Sonas Productions.
A celebration of people, landscape and belonging, this new series showcases Enda Kenny’s search for pointers to the future among the echoes of the past as he sets out in search of the long-abandoned railway routes of Ireland.
Enda explores the story of a once modern transport system, the railway routes that became engraved into the countryside, transformed the landscape and shaped the evolution of the entire island. Railway expanded the way we saw ourselves in the world, influencing the course of subsequent historical, social and political events.
Discovering riches along the way, human and cultural, Enda marvels at the shoots of new growth emerging as sections of old lines regenerate as small, narrow-gauge tourist trains bring the magic and romance of steam to life.
Other routes, re-imagined, emerge from the landscape with a fresh vigour re-purposed into greenways attracting walkers and cyclists from home and abroad as a new, health-oriented tourist industry puts down roots where naught but dereliction and abandonment previously held sway.
If you thought you knew all there was to know about Enda Kenny after his 45 years in Dáil Éireann – be prepared to be surprised. This iteration reveals a man happy on his bike, relaxed in himself and comfortable in the company of those he encounters along the way. A good listener, he’s at his happiest meeting new people or old friends and is never slow to call in for a chat or a story, a tune or a song.