RTÉ’s IFTA-winning documentary series ‘Waterways – The Royal Canal’ is to be made available on DVD from this Friday (October 5).
The series, which returned to RTÉ screens last year after a 16-year absence, follows naturalist, writer and broadcaster Dick Warner as he travels through the Royal Canal from Dublin to Longford to celebrate its reopening after more than half a century of dereliction.
Warner, who fronted the original series in the 90s, journeys in an original 70ft Royal Canal tug barge called Rambler, and meets both experts and ordinary people who live along the canal banks, learning about the canal’s heritage, history and wildlife.
He uncovers how the canal was constructed in the late 18th century as part of a major commercial venture, and visits an Iron Age site where he hears tales of whiskey production and consumption, famine emigration and the story of the Ribbonmen, a 19th century rural secret society.
Stephen Rooke (Saving the Titanic) of Dublin-based Tile Films directed the series in HD, working with a number of the original crew who worked on the 90s series. Rooke also produced with Larry Masterson (The Brendan O'Connor Show), with Peter Robertson (West is West) filming in HD. Jim Duggan and Derek Holland edited and Ronan Hardiman (Neverland) composed the score. Rachel Towell was the production manager.
The documentary picked up Best Documentary Series and Best Cinematography in Television for Peter Robertson at the 2012 IFTA Awards.
‘Waterways – The Royal Canal’ initially aired on RTÉ One in October 2011. The new DVD will be available from RTÉ’s online shop from Friday.
