TV series goes to the heart of Cork's Gaeltacht communities

A new television series, Pobal Mhúscraí, set in the heart of Cork’s Gaeltacht region, will begin next week on TG4.

The show, produced by Aniar TV and filmed during the summer months of 2025, is set in Múscraí and features one-to-one interviews and behind-the-scenes insights into the lives of those living there.

The Múscraí Gaeltacht consists of six distinct Irish-speaking areas, including Baile Mhúirne to Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, Cill na Martra to Ré na nDoirí and Cúil Aodha to Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh.

In the first episode viewers will meet Ruth Ní Riada and her father Peadar at Cathair Crobh Dearg, having descended from their annual pilgrimage to the Paps; as well as dairy farmer Dónal Ó Loingsigh on his farm in Doirín Álainn.

Mr Ó Loingsigh will showcase his sheep-shearing skills at the sheep-shearing competition at the Top of Coom.

Also featured is Tadhg Ó Duinnín and his friends from Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, who go on a road trip with the social group ‘Bangers and Bikes’, as well as Méabh Ní Chonaill, who is shown passing the tradition of music playing on to the next generation of young musicians in Cill na Martra.

In the second episode, viewers will meet Cecily Ní Loinsigh and the Tidy Towns group from Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, as well as artist and musician Gearóid Ó Duinnín from Cúil Aodha.

Eibhlín Ní Lionáird will also feature in the second episode for her attempts to revive the Whit Sunday celebrations; as well as writer Seán Ó Muimhneacháin from Cill na Martra.

In the third episode, viewers will see Cúil Aodha’s outdoor swimming pool; as well as the summer solstice celebration in Baile Mhúirne, where Mícheál Ó Ceallacháin shares his passion for road bowling, and singer Máire Ní Chéileachair is honoured as the Aisling Gheal scheme celebrates 25 years of passing on the sean-nós singing tradition.

In final episode, Helen Uí Loinsigh shows viewers the skills of the local craft group in Ré na nDóirí; as well as getting a glimpse at Síle Uí Luasa and friends as they prepare for the Féile na Laoch stage in the local hedgerows.

• Episode one of Pobal Mhúscraí airs on March 12 from 8pm on TG4.