MONDAY 18TH NOVEMBER, 7.00pm, RTÉ One
PRESENTER BLÁTHNAID NÍ CHOFAIGH
WILD ATLANTIC WAY FROM COUNTY DONEGAL – PROGRAMME 1
On this the first of a Nationwide six-part mini series celebrating ten years of The Wild Atlantic Way, the team have stories from County Donegal. The Wild Atlantic Way was launched in 2014 and is one of the most successful tourism products developed in this country. This iconic coastal route stretches from the Border at The Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, all the way down the west coast to Kinsale in County Cork. Over the next six programmes the team highlight some of the unique attractions along the route, beginning with a focus on County Donegal, the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way in the North of the country.
Social media has played a crucial role in promoting the Wild Atlantic Way to a global audience, helping to draw overseas visitors to Ireland’s West coast. There are thousands of videos online which show and promote the wild and rugged landscape of the Wild Atlantic Way. Reporter Mary Harte met one young man, also known as ‘The Wild Irish Wanderer’ in Donegal, whose posts on social media have been viewed by millions of people around the globe.
Bláthnaid meets with Joan Crawford of Fáilte Ireland to talk about the success of the route in Donegal and to talk about the highlights of the coastal journey in the North West.
Also, Mary Harte explores a unique family adventure in North Donegal that offers visitors the chance to walk with alpacas along the scenic route near Malin Head.
WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER, 7.00pm, RTÉ One
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
WILD ATLANTIC WAY FROM COUNTIES SLIGO & LEITRIM – PROGRAMME 2
This evening Nationwide continues the journey on the Wild Atlantic Way visiting some of the places on the coast of counties of Leitrim and Sligo. The programme explores the coastline and the attractions that are drawing visitors to this part of Ireland from home and abroad.
Anne Cassin visits the shortest coastline in Ireland in County Leitrim to see how it has benefited from the Wild Atlantic Way since its inception ten years ago.
Anne then continues the journey into County Sligo under Ben Bulben to visit sites such Yeats Grave and Lissadell House and on into Sligo town.
Reporter, Niall Martin meets surfers at the newly established surf school in Sligo and also surfers who spend time out on the water catching some of the best waves in the world. There are so many watersports now on offer along our coasts and even on our inland lakes, from Stand Up paddleboarding, kayaking to bodyboarding and surfing.
FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER, 7.00pm, RTÉ One
PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN
WILD ATLANTIC WAY FROM COUNTY MAYO – PROGRAMME 3
Nationwide continues to showcase the Wild Atlantic Way on its 10th anniversary with stories this evening from County Mayo where the team meet writers and walkers out and about on this stunning coastline. Presenter Anne Cassin sees some of the sites that visitors come see and explore and hears how the Wild Atlantic Way continues to attract more and more people to this part of Ireland.
County Mayo has it all, amazing scenery and lots of places to explore and discover. The first story is from the village of Carrowteige in the North of the county, where Anne Cassin joined up with two seasoned travellers who have explored some of the world’s greatest mountain ranges, but are equally happy here at home, walking Ireland’s hills and coastline.
Anne Cassin also visits the Old Irish Goat Sanctuary in Mulranny where she learns about the history and unique heritage of the Neolithic Goat. This community project is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who rallied together to create a unique visitor experience and save the old goats from extinction.
