Donegal to feature on ITV and UTV Ireland

“Wild Ireland is a brand new ITV primetime six-part series which sees presenter Christine Bleakley going home to Ireland to travel the length of its 1500 mile west coast – the longest continuous coastal route – known as the Wild Atlantic Way.

During the series, Christine will meet a host of fascinating characters, discover a landscape of natural wonders and reveal the coastline’s hidden treasures as she explores the entire route from Malin Head in the north, to Clonakilty in the south.

Starting at the most northerly point of the island, where Christine learns the story of how Ireland first got its name, she then drives, bikes, hikes, swims and kayaks her way along the coastline. On her travels, Christine visits numerous historical sites, takes on some extreme sports, learns about harvesting and preparing local food delicacies and introduces the viewer to some of the most spectacularly landscapes and fascinating history in the world.

From climbing Knocknarea Mountain and visiting a large Cairn older than the Pyramids, to learning how to prepare wild salmon; from trying to master the wild Atlantic waves which attracts surfers from around the world, to joining star-gazers at Dark Sky Reserve – one of only three locations in the world that is free of light pollution, Christine offers a captivating commentary on the Wild Atlantic Way.”

Episode 1

•       Malin Head, the very northern tip of the island where she learns how Ireland got its name

•       Slieve League, or the Mountain of the Flagstones and climbs one of the highest sea cliffs

•       Burren Smokehouse and learns to prepare wild salmon

•       County Mayo and tries Coasteering, which involves jumping off a 30 foot cliff into the sea

Episode 2

•       Christine climbs Knocknarea Mountain and visits a Cairn (mound of stones) older than the Pyramids

•       Christine visits Achill Island and kayak’s into the Atlantic

•       Christine visits Blacksod Lighthouse and meets the owner who tells how his parents played a crucial role in the preparations for D-Day

Episode 3

•       Christine tries surfing in the Atlantic at Rossknowlagh beach in Donegal Bay

•       Christine takes the pilgrims trail to Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick

•       Christine visits Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord and spends the day helping out on a mussel farm

Episode 4

•       Christine visits County Galway and an area of outstanding natural beauty known as Connemara, where she learns to sail a traditional Irish vessel, the Galway Hooker

•       Christine visits Connolly farm on The Burren, a unique geological area of vast grey rock

•       Christine visits the Keshcurran Caves in Sligo

•       Christine explores Ireland’s most popular natural attraction, the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare

•       Christine travels by ferry to the Aran Islands and takes a tour on a traditional pony and trap

Episode 5

•       Christine is in the Kingdom of Kerry and kayak’s into the bay

•       Christine visits an historic Slate Quarry on Valentia island

•       Christine goes star gazing at the internationally renowned Dark Sky Reserve

•       Christine tries her hand at horse riding

Episode 6

•       Christine travels across open ocean in Ireland’s only cable car to the remote beauty of Dursey Island

•       Christine visits Mizen Head and explores the treacherous waters around Ireland’s most southerly point

•       Christine tries her hand at fishing on Inchydoney beach in Cork

 You can watch it tonight on UTV (NI) and on Wednesday on UTV Ireland.