Episode 4
This season of The Summer Show finishes up in and around the nation’s capital as Derek Mooney and Nuala Carey present the last show in this series in the sublime Botanic gardens in Glasnevin.
Nuala takes on the challenge of becoming a trainee sailor for the day, hoisting the sails and manning the wheel on the ‘Brian Boru’ a traditional wooden sailing tall ship which is the only one of its kind in Ireland. Derek explores the extraordinary stories of Ireland’s great literary and historical figures in Glasnevin Cemetary from Brendan Behan to its founder Daniel O’Connell, Derek delves into the lesser-known stories of Ireland’s great figures.
Chef Kevin Dundon travels to the banks of beautiful Carlingford Lough to visit the oyster farm run by Kian Louet Feisser. Kevin learns first-hand the hard work involved in cultivating world-class oysters. First, he climbs behind the wheel of a rusting tractor to negotiate the trip down to the oyster beds before accepting the challenge of turning heavy oyster bars alongside the professionals. Later, safely back on the banks of the lough, Kevin serves up oysters hot off the BBQ topped with a toasted Guinness hollandaise sauce.
Theo Jebb returns to his roots for his final assignment – and shows us where it all started for him as he sets up camp in the Botanic gardens itself – where he grew up and developed his love of nature. Integrating VHS footage of himself as an 11-year-old filming the dawn chorus, Theo (young and older) introduces us to the common garden birds found in most back gardens. The story harks back to his beginnings as he started to film wildlife in his parents garden, setting up feeders and hides to see the different birds up close. Theo then uses modern technology to recreate the flight of some of these birds.
In the last of our nostalgic holiday lookbacks, Norah Casey recounts her childhood in the Phoenix park. Growing up in Park Lodge with her park ranger father, Harry, and mother, Mags, Norah’s childhood was filled with adventurous play in the Phoenix Park, where she and her siblings would roam freely until nightfall. The park became a cherished backdrop to her memories, encapsulating moments of joy, love, and loss.
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.