REVEALED: Hidden stories of Tipperary set to surface in new TG4 documentary series

A stretch of the River Suir, long woven into the social and economic life of south Tipperary, is the subject of a new Irish language television series launched on Friday evening within the grounds of Cahir Castle.

The event, hosted by the Office of Public Works, marked the formal introduction of Cois Siúire, a four-part documentary that traces the River Suir from its source to the sea.

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The series, due to premiere on TG4 on Wednesday, April 1st at 9.30pm, sets out to explore both the physical landscape of one of Ireland’s principal rivers and the communities that have developed along its banks.

Its approach is at once geographical and cultural, reflecting the layered relationship between waterway and settlement.

Presented by historian Dr Colm Mac Gearailt, the programme follows a continuous journey downstream by canoe. This device lends the series a clear narrative structure while allowing for encounters with places and people that define the Suir’s character.

The use of Irish, supported by subtitles, situates the production within a broader effort to extend the reach of Irish language broadcasting without narrowing its audience.

The series is produced by Cormarant Films and draws its inspiration from the travel writing of Annraoi Ó Liatháin, whose work of the same name provides a literary point of departure.

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That influence is reflected in the programme’s emphasis on observation and movement through landscape, rather than a strictly linear historical account.

Music also plays a role in shaping the tone of the series. Original compositions by Liam Ó Maonlaí, best known as a member of Hot House Flowers, accompany the journey, adding a contemporary layer to a narrative rooted in place and tradition.

Friday’s launch in Cahir offered attendees an early viewing of the programme, followed by a panel discussion featuring contributors involved in the project.

In focusing on the Suir, Cois Siúire aligns with a broader trend in documentary-making that seeks to anchor national stories in specific landscapes.

Its success will depend on how effectively it balances that local detail with a narrative capable of engaging a wider audience.

The first episode will be broadcast on TG4 on Wednesday, April 1st at 9.30pm.

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