Stunning scenes off the Donegal coast will be showcased in a new RTÉ series this weekend.
North Atlantic – The Dark Ocean kicks off on Sunday 14th May on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 6.30pm.
The series follows Irish underwater cameraman Ken O’Sullivan, who is inspired by the spirit of adventure of early explorers such as St Brendan the Navigator. Ken journeys out into the open North Atlantic in search of the great sea monsters described in their early texts.
During Episode 1, in the fishing port of Killybegs, Ken goes to sea – scuba diving in search of herring shoals in the cold, dark waters (at 20 metres depth) during winter.
Also in the opening episode, Ken encounters monstrous winter storms and discovers that these are a huge source of fertility in the ocean. He meets a group of Minke whales lunge-feeding on shoals of sprat, and travels to Arctic Norway in search of massive herring shoals that once abounded in Ireland.
North Atlantic also deals with the concerning issue of the treatment of our oceans and its creatures. The series explores concerns such as toxicity in whales from human activity in the ocean and the decimation of fin whales due to whaling. The series emphasises how society must work harder to conserve these precious ecosystems.
The series also features an original classical music soundtrack by young composer Bradley Ayres, performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
North Atlantic will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from Sunday 14th May, 6.30pm
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