Series 1, episode 3
This special three part series, filmed over 18 months to the end of 2020, follows the hopes and dreams, the challenges and joys of a diverse bunch of young people in the seaside town of Bray, County Wicklow.
Though the common link is Bray, our characters are all unique and unconnected. These are ordinary and extraordinary young people and we get to witness first-hand how they tackle life’s ups and downs in a way that young people and families will relate to everywhere.
Joni (15) is a talented teenager who is a singer and actress. Joni is the youngest participant in the series, 15 when filming began. She is a singer and has briefly been involved in two bands. She was studying for her Junior Cert last year, which was cancelled. She was pleased with some results in her summer tests though. She has recently taken up skateboarding and is disappointed to be at an age where she feels that she’s lost a summer of her youth. She seems to be taking her acting more seriously than music.
She is an aspiring actress and has an agent who is sending her showreels and headshots to international casting producers. She had started some filming for an international television series for Apple TV called Foundation being shot in Ireland but this was halted during Covid. She is now back in school and juggling that with her acting since filming has resumed.
Ciara is using equine therapy to help her get though some difficult years. In her story we learn about the impact of her brother’s death and how Festina Lente and working with horses has helped her get back on track. Festina Lente run courses. The Therapeutic Riding Coaching Programme aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to enable them to work as a Therapeutic Riding Coach. The programme uses equine based learning techniques together with knowledge of disability to design and develop learning and therapeutic interventions for people with special needs During the filming period her mother died, suddenly (late 40’s) and that was very hard on Ciara. She has her good days and bad days but she’s getting on with life and is a bit of a force.
CJ and Sammy hope to get back gigging again soon. There an ambitious local rap duo. CJ is recovering after his rascist attack and they are looking forward to unveiling their new Bray Wanderers FC anthem
Dylan is excited to be back playing football and is building up a career that gives him time to work and to give his all to his football.
Gabi is postive and excited about her future. Her studying is going well and she is still working as a healthcare assistant while studing and looking after her toddler son.
The series is narrated by Jasmin, a local young woman who relates to all of our stories. She is 29 years of age and is a proud mixed race Irish national. Her mother is from Co. Wicklow, Ireland and her Dad is s from Negril, Jamaica. She has a beautiful 9 year old son called CJ. From being a young mother it took some time to find out what I want to do with my career. She is going into her last year of my bachelors degree in Business Management in IADT Dun Laoghaire and will underake an internship as a Business Program Manager with Adobe Dublin starting this summer. She is very excited to continue to build her career with an amazing company. She also been working in the Royal Hotel in Bray as a front desk receptionist while studying. She is proud to live in Bray and was delighted to have the opportunity to narrate the series.
Across eighteen months, we witness our characters coping with the rollercoaster of ‘normal’ life in a world before and during a global pandemic. These are resilient and hopeful young people and their stories are both unique and universal. As with all other obstacles – they just do what they always do. They may have changed but they get on with it.
This documentary series is a window into all their lives. This is Their Town. Our Town.
A Wildfire Films / Curious Dog Films production for RTÉ.
Ep 3 TX: Thursday 8th July at 9.30 PM on RTÉ2