Programme Six: Dundalk to Newry Enda travels to county Louth to journey along the railway line that ran along the beautiful east coastline from Dundalk to the bustling port of Greenore. The line continues towards the coastal villages of Carlingford and Omeath, crossing the border and traveling on to Newry. Along the way he visits model railway enthusiast Anne & Brian Larkin who have recreated a model of the route from Dundalk to the port at Greenore, and hears from Brendan McQuaid, retired station master in Dundalk. Others include Patsy Duffy, Dónal Murray, Hughie Rafferty, Brendan Mc Sherry and Neville McCann.
Series Overview:
Iarnród Enda is a six-part series set to air on 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. Episode one brings us from Waterford to Dungarvan.
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.