16 February 2023 - Flipbook - Page 34
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FARMFAMILY
FARMWEEK
OCTOBER 28 2021
Strangford Lough in the spotlight
with new series coming to UTV
A
BRAND new series about
Strangford Lough – its
people and habitat, is
coming to UTV. Called
‘Keepers of the Lough’, the
six-part series will take the viewer
on a beautiful journey of discovery
about this enchanting part of the
Northern Irish countryside.
Renowned internationally for
its sheer beauty with its marine
and nature reserves, it’s also a
working Lough and its shores are
surrounded by people who not
only look after and keep it, but also
depend on it for a living.
Narrated by Patrick Kielty, the
series will reveal what’s life is like
in and around the Lough. Along the
way, we’ll meet great characters,
encounter the highs and lows of
not only having to depend on the
Northern Ireland weather, but also
on the actions of others to survive,
and indeed thrive, in this area of
outstanding natural beauty.
In the first episode we meet
Hugh Thurgate, Lead Ranger on
Strangford Lough, who talks about
the work of the National Trust as
he helps to move cattle for a tenant
with the Trust’s barge. It’s not all
plain sailing though with wayward
cattle in the wrong place on one of
the islands!
John Scott from Killyleagh
has been working at Ringhaddy
Boatyard since the early 1970s
LEFT: Hugh Thurgate, Lead Ranger
on Strangford Lough, talks about
the work of the National Trust as he
helps to move cattle for a tenant
with the Trust’s barge.
ABOVE: John Scott from Killyleagh
has been working at Ringhaddy
Boatyard since the early 1970s
when he helped his father as a
teenager. He’s an expert in the
yard, painstakingly maneuvering
a yacht for launch, with inches to
spare, waiting for the tide to take
her out. We also find out why his
wife worries that everyone will
think he’s a head case!
Cadogan Enright from
Downpatrick and members of his
canoe club, are carrying out a
week long butterfly survey on all
the islands on the Lough. Spending
just 15 minutes on each island,
and covering over 120km2, they
count the species, and in doing
so contribute to the UK wide Big
Butterfly Count.
And at Exploris Aquarium, we
meet Cloddagh McVeigh, a local
ABOVE: Cloddagh McVeigh, a
local girl from Kircubbin, started at
Exploris Aquarium while on work
experience at school.
girl from Kircubbin who started
there while on work experience at
school. She has been working with
rescue seals for two years, and we
see her give one abandoned seal a
thorough health check, with lots of
cuddles of course.
We also meet boat builder
Dan Dorman, on his tall ship
at Whiterock. He grew up on
Strangford, and he shares his
renovation dreams, planning to sell
his house to finish the work so he
and his family can live on it. And
there is stunning footage of Dan at
sunrise moving his tall ship onto a
mooring around the other side of
How a global phenomenon transformed
NI into a screen tourism destination
FROM PAGE 33
Recognising the endless appetite for the
series, Tourism NI has worked closely with
HBO, Tourism Ireland and Northern Ireland
Screen to engage with the fans.
Áine continued: “It is fantastic to see
Northern Ireland Screen, the lead agency
for our film and TV production sector, work
so closely the tourism agencies to continue
to celebrate the amazing impact the show
has had on the tourism sector in Northern
Ireland. HBO also played an integral role in
helping Northern Ireland capitalise on this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become
Game of Thrones Territory.”
Bespoke interpretive panels, a filming
locations app as well as a collection of
visitor guides showcasing the spectacular
filming locations have been created. In
addition, the ten intricately crafted Doors
of Thrones, the now famous Game of
Thrones Tapestry and the six beautiful
stained glass window installations, Glass of
Thrones, were developed.
Áine Kearney said: “Northern Ireland’s
cultural and industrial heritage in stained
glass production is world renowned and
the stained glass installations on The
Glass of Thrones trail give tourists another
unique way to explore the Game of Thrones
story in Northern Ireland and immerse
themselves in Northern Ireland’s rich
artistic heritage.
“Everywhere you stand in Northern
Ireland, you can hear history echo through
castle walls or whisper through the glens
and hills.
“So, when fans get to stand where iconic
show characters stood, it brings Game of
Thrones more alive than any TV screen
ever could and we are excited to continue
to share that as Northern Ireland takes its
place as an outstanding screen tourism
destination.”
Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland’s Central
Marketing Director, said: “The phenomenal
popularity of Game of Thrones has
provided a fantastic opportunity for
Tourism Ireland to leverage Northern
Ireland’s connection with the series. As
overseas tourism restarts, Tourism Ireland
will continue to highlight Northern Ireland
around the world, reminding people that
Northern Ireland is ‘Game of Thrones
Territory’.
“We will also harness the opportunities
presented by the new Game of Thrones
Studio Tour at the Linen Mill Studios
in Banbridge. Our aim is to spike fans’
curiosity about the landscapes and
locations featured in the series and
inspire them to come and explore them for
themselves.”
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of
Northern Ireland Screen, said: “Northern
Ireland Screen is incredibly proud to see
Game of Thrones live on with the amazing
screen tourism legacy it has left behind.
For many years fans from near and far have
sought out and enjoyed visiting the many
public locations featured in the show.
“It’s now really exciting that Linen
Mill Studios is soon to become open to
the public as a Game of Thrones visitor
experience. We’ll continue to work
with Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland to
celebrate the amazing impact the show has
had and explore any new opportunities
that may arise.”
This epic journey is set to continue for
years to come with the highly awaited new
Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill
Studios, Banbridge, the first permanent
licensed Game of Thrones experience in
the world.
n To read The Making of a Screen Tourism
Destination visit www.tourismni.com/
gameofthrones
Sketrick Island.
Wilmer McFerran from Killyleagh
is ‘a genius’, according to John
Scott. Wilmer tinkers at boats and
diggers in his old shed, and can
turn his hand to fixing anything.
We find out at the end of the
programme if he has success with
an old rope making machine.
Further in the series, viewers
will get to see the work at Castle
Espie and at the RNLI station at
Portaferry, as well as meet more
local people who use the lough for
work and play.
UTV’s Programmes Editor Tony
Curry said: “Strangford is an area
of outstanding natural beauty
and that, coupled with the great
characters the viewers will meet
and get to know across the six
episodes, add up to a truly special
series that the viewers will love.”
Bob O’Brien from Independent
production company Green Inc.
has produced, shot and directed
the series for UTV. Green Inc,
owner Stephen Stewart said:
“We are delighted to bring the
beauty of Strangford into homes
in Northern Ireland. This is a real
passion project for us, as both
my family and Bob’s family are
connected to people who live and
work there. It is an amazing place
and whether they are scientists,
conservationists, farmers or
boatman, everyone loves it and
they all make up a very special
community interlocked and
dependent on one another, living
where the sea and land merge.”
n ‘Keepers of the Lough’ is
produced by County Down-based
Green Inc, and is sponsored
by ‘House Proud Furniture’. You
can watch the first episode on
Thursday, October 28 at 7.30pm on
UTV and on catch up on www.itv.
com/utvprogrammes
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