Main pic: Donegal Airport staff: Trisha Gillespie, Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill, Gavin Dunleavy, Dennis Forker, Máire Ní Dhónaill and Cathal MacGiolla Easbuic.
Donegal Airport is to feature in an intimate and revealing new four-part documentary series on TG4.
‘Aerfort Dhún na nGall’ gives viewers a unique insight into the running of a small regional airport, told through the intimate stories of the passengers flying in and out and the airport staff responsible for their safety and keeping this vital airport alive.
This is the story of Donegal Airport, voted the most scenic airport approach in the world. From daily commuters, business owners and students to Rescue 118, international jet setters and patients availing of essential medical treatment, it provides a vital service, connecting its users with the outside world.
Filmed over 18 months, from 2021 till 2022, with exclusive behind the scenes access, viewers will witness the daily challenges of the airport team as they navigate the pressures of managing a rural airport, overcome the stringent health and safety measures that covid brought and accommodate secretive celebrity landings.
The story of ‘Aerfort Dhún na nGall’, Starting on Thursday 30th at 8pm, will be told by the colourful characters who fly in and out and the airport team responsible for getting them from A to B.
Watch the sneak preview below:
We meet the hardworking and accommodating team at Donegal Airport as they keep the airport ticking over 7 days a week and on call 24/7 for 118 air, sea and rescue missions. The airport personnel operate a shift pattern to accommodate early morning and late evening flights, despite the inhospitable hours, you are always guaranteed to be welcomed with a warm smile and a bit of Donegal craic.
We join a variety of local passengers leaving the county and characters from all over the world flying into the airport. Local taxi driver Charlie Mac is on hand to take them to their final destination.
The airport also provides a more serious service, in supporting patients and sick children with flights for medical treatment in Dublin. We meet Máire Uí Chomhaill, Bainisteoir of Ionad Naomh Pádraig who coordinates the service and a patient availing of it.
In episode 1 of ‘Aerfort Dhún na nGall’ we meet legendary musician Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan as she recounts how the airport changed her life and made touring internationally possible from Donegal. Local taxi driver Charlie Mac shares his celebrity stories. The Mullachdubh band perform at the annual St Patrick’s Day parade and emotions run high as families are reunited after the pandemic.
In Episode 2 of ‘Aerfort Dhún na nGall’ Covid 19 complicates life in the airport, a passenger travels to Dublin for medical treatment, we see a 5K charity run on the airport landing strip, airport intern Cathal Mac Giolla Easbuic packs his bags for 6 months of training in Spain and student Leah Ní Ghairbhigh prepares to return to DCU following her summer break.
In Episode 3 Cathal Mac Giolla Easbuic is halfway through his Air Traffic controller training in Spain, emigrant Grace Rodgers flies in from Washington DC on a private plane, returning home to Tory island, Julio Diana flies to Sligo for lunch and we join music fans at Sult Festival in Gaoth Dobhair.
In Episode 4 Rescue 118 helicopter arrives to provide essential training to the airport staff, while the airport caters to a host of passengers; including Tom Marry on his regular commute to London, Lawyer Simon Gillespie at the High court in Dublin and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta presenter Michelle Nic Grianna is off to see a gig in Dublin. The series is funded by TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán.
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