Film Documentary: Life Along Ireland's Shores - The Oceanic Existence (Airtime: 20:15 - 21:45)
In the year 2023, acclaimed Irish filmmaker Shane Brennan released the captivating nature documentary, "Ireland's Coasts." With a runtime of 90 minutes, this film takes viewers on an unforgettable journey along Ireland's wild Atlantic coast, showcasing breathtaking images and state-of-the-art graphics.
The documentary begins at Malin Head, Ireland's northernmost point, and travels southwards, exploring key locations and historical highlights. One of the most iconic landmarks featured is the Cliffs of Moher, towering sea cliffs about 200 meters high and 8 km long, formed over 300 million years ago.
Other notable locations include Limerick and its southern shore near Glean Castle, the Dingle Peninsula and the historic town of Dingle, once a major Irish port, the Iveragh Peninsula, part of the renowned Ring of Kerry, and Skellig Michael, a remote island in the Atlantic Ocean with a Christian monastery founded over a thousand years ago.
Historical highlights abound in this documentary, such as the ancient Christian monastery on Skellig Michael, which represents early medieval Irish monasticism. Limerick's historical significance is reflected in local culture, including the origin of limerick poems. The life of Theabold McGee, an 18th-century smuggler connected to Port McGee, a seaside town with a long fishing tradition, is also featured.
"Ireland's Coasts" doesn't just focus on history and landscapes, but also delves into the lives of the people who have lived and worked along the coast. The documentary highlights fishing, ancient settlements, dramatic landscapes, and unique wildlife, illustrating the deep history embedded in the Irish coastal regions and their spectacular natural beauty.
The journey features spectacular drone footage over the boglands of Connemara, revealing secrets and surprises hidden along Ireland's coast, including early Christian sites and forgotten shipwrecks. The documentary concludes at the Beara Peninsula, where an ancient Atlantic rainforest is revived.
"Ireland's Coasts" falls under the Nature Documentary genre and is an Irish production. It is available until October 30, 2026, and has been rated F (presumably a film rating, not specified in the provided text). The documentary's narrative style is compelling, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in Ireland's rich history and natural beauty.
[1] "Ireland's Coasts" Official Website [2] "Star Wars: Galactic Guide to Skellig Michael" by Pablo Hidalgo
- As a crucial location in the documentary, Skellig Michael is not only known for its ancient Christian monastery but also for its appearance in the science fiction film "Star Wars," further highlighting the blend of environmental-science and lifestyle elements in outdoor-living narratives.
- For home-and-garden enthusiasts, the revival of an ancient Atlantic rainforest at the Beara Peninsula, presented at the end of "Ireland's Coasts," serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts in the environmental-science field to preserve and conserve the Earth's natural beauty.
- As the documentary delves into the lives of the people living and working along Ireland's coast, it encourages a deeper understanding of the relationship between the local population and the climate-change challenges their environment faces while appreciating the rich history and diverse culture of each region.