Cois Siúire will premiere on Wednesday, April 1 at 9.30pm on TG4.
Produced by Cormorant Films and presented by Dr Colm Mac Gearailt, with original music composed by Liam Ó Maonlaí, Cois Siúire is a four-part, 50-minute series which tells the story of the River Suir in unprecedented depth – placing one of Ireland’s greatest waterways, and the communities along its banks, centre stage in prime-time television.
The series draws inspiration from the journey of writer Annraoi Ó Liatháin, whose travelogue Cois Siúire documented his passage along the river almost fifty years ago. Now, historian and arts practitioner Dr Colm Mac Gearailt retraces that journey in his canoe, using Ó Liatháin’s reflections as both guide and companion.
Ireland’s third-longest river flows 183 kilometres from its source at the Devil’s Bit in County Tipperary, passing through Loughmore, Templemore, Thurles, Cahir, Ardfinnan, Newcastle, Clonmel, Carrick On Suir and Waterford city on its way to the Celtic Sea. Yet despite its scale and significance, the Suir has rarely been explored in such comprehensive detail on screen.
Dr Mac Gearailt encounters historians, artists, farmers, anglers and community custodians whose lives are shaped by the Suir. Ancient abbeys, industrial remnants, mills and river crossings stand alongside vibrant modern communities. Through these stories, the river emerges not simply as a natural feature, but as a constant force in Ireland’s geographic, economic, spiritual and cultural development.
Liam Ó Maonlaí of the Hot House Flowers has composed the original score for the series, his signature musical flare bringing emotional depth and resonance to the river’s journey.
“A continuation of the acclaimed river journeys that began in Cois Móire, Cois Siúire is both intimate and expansive: a cinematic meditation on place, language and identity, and a celebration of the communities that live along one of Munster’s great waterways,” said a spokesperson.
“This is a series that allows viewers to experience everything the Suir has to offer — its landscapes, stories, and people — from the comfort and safety of their own armchair, without getting your toes wet.”