Series 1, Episode 4
In the final episode in the series, Liam Neeson narrates Seamus Heaney’s poem “January God” as Derek Mooney is out exploring the islands in Lough Erne. Derek and Nuala Carey’s final Ancient Pilgrim Path on The Summer Show takes place along St. Finbarr’s Way,a journey that starts at the Top of the Rock in Drimoleague and finishes in Gougane Barra, County Cork. The route is 37 kilometres long which should be done over a few days.
Elsewhere in the show, Derek is also in Co. Fermanagh, following part of pilgrim’s way to Lough Derg. Local historian Frank Wolfe shows Derek various sites of interest out on the lake including White Island and Boa Island.
On Boa Island, they talk about the Janus Stone, an ancient stone which has baffled locals and academics alike. Researchers have determined that it is certainly dates from pre-Christian times, but has some celtic carvings. The stone is two-faced, with two distinct sides, and almost nothing is known about what it represents or who created it. Nobel Prize Winning Poet Seamus Heaney visited the stone and was so transfixed by the story wrote a poem called “January God” about it. Liam Neeson recites this poem as Derek explores the area.
Colin Stafford Johnson is in Wexford and visits the Raven Nature Reserve, using a 360 degree camera to explore. Derek travels to Lough Erne in Co. Fermanagh to follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims of St Patrick and also to discover the secrets of The Janus Stone. Aedin Ni Thiarnaigh is on the beautiful West Cork coast discovering seaweeds surprising secrets. Cinematographer Theo Jebb explores diverse habitats on one of the Shannon’s largest lakes, Lough Ree.We join Poet, Performer and Playwright, Felispeaks who currently features on the English Leaving Cert curriculum as she revisits Maynooth University to ponder the role that the Kildare town played in her personal and professional development.
Folklorist Shane Lehane joins Nuala and Derek along St Finbar’s way offering great knowledge about pilgrimage along the way. Nuala takes to the skies in a hot air balloon alongside Author and Broadcaster Manchán Magan to discover more about the longstanding fascination with Hot Air Ballooning in Ireland.
The series finishes with Nuala and Derek taking in the peaceful surroundings of Gougane Barra as they encourage you to get out and about,to travel the highways and byways as RTÉ celebrates the best of what Ireland has to offer this summer.