Tommy Tiernan tells the story of the West of Ireland through the rich body of culture it has inspired in this two part series. In a place he calls home, Tommy travels one of the world’s most evocative coastlines, bringing us a visual feast and fitting tribute to the immense beauty, rich heritage and unique spirit of the West of Ireland.
From the soaring heights of Skellig Michael to Tuam’s abandoned train station, from the rocky silence of the Burren to the electronic world of a Galway nightclub, Tommy’s guides are the art, literature, plays, poems and films created in the West and about the West.
Along the way he meets creative giants like Kevin Barry, Garry Hynes, Blindboy Boatclub, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and explores with a fresh eye the works of the Blasket Islanders, writings of Tim Robinson and John Moriarty and the captivating works of Dorothy Cross.
At times humorous and touching, this two part series is an exploration of the West’s epic crooked landscapes and the creativity they provoked. From romantic myths to harsh realities, ‘Tommy Tiernan’s Epic West’ is a ramble through the Irish imagination in all its awkward contradictions.
Billing for episode 1 – Wednesday 7 June at 9.35pm on RTÉ One
Tommy Tiernan travels from Skellig Michael through Sligo and Connemara to meet Kevin Barry, The Saw Doctors and Garry Hynes and explore the unique cultural identity of the West of Ireland.
Billing for episode 2 – Wednesday 14 June at 9.35pm on RTÉ One
Tommy Tiernan continues his travels along the western coast to explore the works of artists living and creating in the west today. He meets Blindboy Boatclub, Galwegian DJ Shampain and poet Mary O’Malley and looks at depictions of the West in films, artworks and music.