Through a wonderful wild year, Eoin Warner explores the magical otherworld of the Burren, camping, diving and trekking to its most secret corners while seeking out the wild animals that call its land and waters home.
Ireland is renowned worldwide for its lush green landscapes and wild Atlantic coast, but one of its greatest natural treasures is a desert of grey stone, home to some of Ireland’s most enchanting wildlife.
Elusive Pine Martens find sanctuary in its hazel woods, while magnificent birds-of-prey roost in the ruins of Medieval Abbeys, and just offshore, an extraordinary mass gathering of Basking Sharks may be observed, with the rarely seen courtship displays of these gentle giants.
Join presenter Eoin Warner as he takes us on a magical journey through the wildest corners of the Burren.
Oileán Glas, Fásach Bán, is a year-long exploration of the Burren with naturalist Eoin camping rough and trekking its stony hills to uncover the region’s hidden wild worlds. Along the way, Eoin finds the tombs of the very first settlers who cleared the ancient forests and created the Burren as we know it today.
The series shines a vital spotlight on one of Ireland’s most important natural regions, home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else on the island.
Farmers here still practise the ancient cattle moving patterns of Booleying, which keeps hazel woods at bay, allowing wild meadows and open grasslands to thrive.
The Burren is home to some of the most iconic archaeological landmarks in the country, including Poulnabrone Dolmen.
Also featured are the Aran Islands, which are a geological extension of the Burren, and Inis Mór hosts the ruins of Dún Aonghasa, one of the most recognisable promontory forts in Western Europe.
Presenter Eoin Warner tells us that for him, “The Burren is one of the most magical places on the planet and it was an absolute privilege to spend so much time filming there.”
“For this series, we were seeking out the Burren’s most elusive wild creatures in some of its least visited corners, and it was such a treat to explore those places. “
Director and cameraman John Murray says, “Capturing the magic and mood of the Burren properly is all down to time, and in this frenetic world, what a pleasure it was to sit in the region’s wildest corners and wait for wild animals or wonderful light to make an appearance.”
“On wet and windy days, the Burren has its own special atmosphere. But in the early mornings or late evenings, when the low sun is picking out the details on the rocky landscape, there is nowhere on Earth I’d rather be.”
Oileán Glas, Fásach Bán will air on TG4 on December 3 & 10 at 9.30pm. The series is produced by Crossing the Line Productions.
