Pick of the week
Mo Thír Mo ThuairimMonday, TG4, 10pm
It’s not the easiest time to be a young person in Ireland. The combination of ongoing housing problems, the high cost of living, issues trying to find employment and unstable global politics together makes a terrifying brew. But what do young people themselves think about it all? This new series from TG4, produced by Dundara Television & Media and recorded at its studio in Co Allenwood, Co Kildare, aims to find out. At its helm is broadcaster Cormac Ó hEadhra, and while – sorry Cormac – he isn’t one of the young folks himself, anyone who’s heard him on radio will know he’s not afraid of asking tough questions. Across 15 episodes he will bring together younger people as well as Irish politicians and decision makers to have conversations about the future of Ireland for the next generation. We’re promised that this programme will cover a range of issues – including identity and language – and contributors will get to speak directly to those making the big decisions that affect their lives. It’s a novel idea, and great to see young people get their chance to have their say. Let’s hope that those in charge of the country pay attention.
Highlights
Foinn na Fliúite – Ceol Comhroinnte na nDaoineSunday, TG4, 9pm
The past few years have seen an explosion in interest in Irish traditional music among young people in particular, opening the door for further exploration of what different musical instruments and their history means for the country. This new documentary was produced by the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA), and has its roots in the ITMA’s Shared Island Flute Series. It looks specifically at the story of the flute and fife across the island of Ireland, so we’ll meet instrument makers, musicians from loyalist traditions, and learn about flute playing during the Troubles in what looks like a nuanced and wide-ranging exploration of cultural history. Expect performances from Fife and Lambeg bands, marching bands, and traditional musicians as well as appearances from well-known flute players including Conor McDonagh, Aoife Granville and Tara Diamond.
At Your ServiceSunday, RTÉ One, 6.30pm
Hotelier brothers Francis and John Brennan are back for a new season of At Your Service, where they make it their mission to help new and struggling hospitality businesses. This is the 14th season of the show, and it’ll reach its 100th episode this year. In their first episode they have to deal out some tough love to Ray and Veronica Vere Hunt, who run the hospitality business Hill House in Cashel. They’re dairy farmers who want to diversify by turning their Georgian country house into a high-end, boutique B&B. When a devastating fire occurs, the Brennans advise them to stay closed until everything is sorted. Not the advice the Vere Hunts wanted to hear.
The Traitors Ireland Uncloaked Season 2Sunday, RTÉ One, 10.30pm
One of the most fun parts of watching The Traitors is staying in situ to enjoy the always entertaining comedian and presenter Kevin McGahern talk to former contestants and celebrity fans of the show in The Traitors Ireland Uncloaked. On Sunday night, a new week of The Traitors kicks off, and on the Uncloaked coach afterwards will be comedian Kyla Cobbler and radio presenter Crossy. No doubt they won’t be backwards in coming forwards about what they think about who’s likely to win.
9/11: The Saudi Connection Monday, BBC One, 8pm
The 25th anniversary of 9/11 this year means fresh documentaries aiming to glean new information about what occurred on that devastating day. This documentary sees award-winning documentary-maker and journalist Jane McMullen look into newly released documents which give more insight into the claim that the Saudi government had connections to those behind the 2001 attacks. She explains in this programme that she wants to investigate the role of one particular individual, who helped the first two hijackers.
Colin from Accounts Monday, BBC Two, 10pm
This much-loved Australian sitcom is back, but the bad news is that it’s the final series of the show. Created by real-life couple Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall, the series has charted the relationship of Gordon and Ashley, who were brought together in season one by a car crash and an injured dog. By the end of series two, the pair had broken up after an ill-fated proposal. Now in the third season, we revisit them three years on, when both have moved on to new partners. But when they bump into each other at a GP clinic, they’re forced to take a closer look at what went wrong.
This City Is Ours Wednesday, RTÉ One, 10.15pm
The first series of this Liverpool-set crime drama was an exercise in tension, and there’s another season on the way. To prepare, catch up with series one as it’s broadcast for the first time on RTÉ. Sean Bean plays crime boss Ronnie Phelan, whose potential retirement kicks off a tug-of-war between his son Jamie and his right-hand man, Michael. When Michael falls in love with Diana, a new layer of complication is added to his circumstances. In the first episode, Michael and Diana are trying for a baby, but out in the crime world a shocking betrayal over a cocaine shipment awaits.
The Anam Sessions Thursday, RTÉ One, 11.05pm
The Anam Sessions brings live music to stunning OPW heritage sites, meaning a nice fusion of gorgeous sounds and visuals. This first episode is set at Barryscourt Castle, Co Cork, which is one of Ireland’s finest surviving medieval tower houses. Performing tonight will be Joshua Burnside, Mick O’Brien and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Cliffords, and Girl in the Year Above. You can’t beat a bit of live music – and you don’t even have to leave the house.
The PaperThursday, Sky One, 9pm
It’s hard not to be a fan of the great Domhnall Gleeson, who is able to apply his skills to dramas, thrillers, romances and comedies. He’s certainly appealing as the nervy Ned in The Paper, which is set in the same world as the US version of The Office and focuses on a failing newspaper called the Toledo Truth Teller. Truth be told, series one of The Paper was a little shaky at times, with the mockumentary’s humour not exactly stapled together correctly. Hopefully series two can improve things. When we return to its HQ, Ned is looking for a new journalism project while juggling his budding relationship with colleague Mare. Plenty of japes are sure to ensue.
Streaming
Last SeenFrom Wednesday, September 9th, Apple TV
This twisty Australian missing-persons thriller stars Patrick Bramall as police detective Ian Ridley, who is struggling with his life 11 years after the mysterious disappearance of his young daughter, Maggie. But though he’s all but given up on his career and relationships, he hasn’t given up on Maggie, believing she’s still somewhere out there. When he gets a call from a teenager in distress, he becomes convinced she’s his missing daughter – then comes up against resistance from all sides as he tries to convince friends and family that he’s not deluding himself. Based on the Ryan David Jahn novel The Dispatcher, the drama also stars Maxine Peake, Brendan Cowell and Daniel Henshall.
Crew GirlFrom Thursday, September 10th, Netflix
Sixteen-year-old Teagan is a talented rower with a bright future in the sport, but when her family is caught up in a scandal her prospects of becoming a champion sculler are scuttled. To get out of the heat, the family moves to the east coast, where Teagan is enrolled at an elite prep school. When she discovers that it doesn’t have a girls’ crew, there’s nothing for it but to elbow her way on to the boys’ team, signing up as coxswain, but she’s not home and dry yet. The boys’ varsity crew is in chaos and needs some serious work to steady the ship. Soon the sparks are flying between Teagan and two of the team’s hunks – arrogant captain Josh and star rower Cam. Parental warning: there may be snogging.