Episode 3
Derek Mooney and Nuala Carey find themselves in the sunny south-east – Kilkenny. Derek and Nuala are roaming the halls and battlements of the incredible Kilkenny castle as the programme coincides with the Kilkenny arts festival. Derek visits the offices of the Oscar nominated ‘Cartoon Saloon’ based in Kilkenny city and learns of their meteoric rise to the top of the Hollywood tree and how the city of Kilkenny itself was a major influence on the success of the company.
Nuala visits the historic St Canice’s Cathedral and learns of the church’s rich history before being invited into the bell tower for a spot of campanology (bell ringing). Nuala is challenged to join the team and get up to speed in time to welcome mass-goers to a busy Sunday service.
Chef Catherine Fulvio sets off to explore the stunning Copper Coast in County Waterford. She’s joining Marie Power, better known as the Sea Gardner, whose expertise lies in utilising the wonders of seaweed. Together they embark on a challenge to harvest seaweed from the rugged coastline at low tide. Venturing into hidden coves they discover seven different varieties of seaweed all with a culinary use. Back on dry land, Catherine warms up with a seaweed-infused tea and an indulgent seaweed footbath. Next, as the sun sets, Catherine rustles up a seaweed-inspired dish on the beach to serve to her new friend Marie.
In our regular nostalgic holiday lookback, Presenter Emer O’Neill recalls her summers spent in various parts of Wexford throughout her childhood. Emer revisits the region, and the journey back brings up memories of Strawberry picking with cousins, and spending long summer days on sun kissed beaches.
Theo Jebb has given himself a herculean task this week. He sets out to capture an image of a bird not seen in the Irish landscape for over 300 years… If that wasn’t hard enough, the task is further complicated by the fact that he doesn’t even KNOW where he is going as the reported site of this rare occurrence is so protected -even he isn’t told where it is.
The Summer show RTÉ One Sunday 6:30pm.
Press release Summer Show SERIES 2 2023
Series Overview
The Summer Show, now in its second series, presents the best of everything from the summer in Ireland. Derek Mooney and Nuala Carey will explore the hidden history, fantastic food, native nature and luscious locations on our doorstep.
Over the course of the four-part series, Derek and Nuala will travel the length and breadth of the country highlighting the best of the summer activities. They will be presenting packages from the Galway races, Oileán Chléire (Cape Clear), Kilkenny castle and the beautiful Botanic gardens in Dublin.
Items across the series include Derek exploring the many uses of lavender on Cape Clear and the work behind some of Irelands best loved and Oscar nominated animated features while Nuala will examine the layered history of Lady’s Day at the races and she also tries her hand at the art of campanology (bell ringing) from the team in St Canice’s cathedral, Kilkenny.
Each week the programme challenges a team of household name chefs (Paul Flynn, Catherine Fulvio, Kevin Dundon and Nico Reynolds) to forage for their supper in our ‘farm to fork’ challenge. They’ll not only have to cook their ingredients but learn a little about how they got into their kitchen in the first place.
Wildlife photographer Theo Jebb returns with more intrepid adventures involving the wild nature in the Irish landscape. A famous face takes a nostalgic journey back to the holiday spot of their youth and more household names take on the task of presenting their own 360 walk in scenic locales across the country.
All in all, over the course of the four-part series, The Summer Show has something for everyone and promises to firmly put the best of summers in Ireland on the map.