Get ready for an exciting adventure into the heart of Irish heritage with Sloinne, a brand-new seven-part series premiering on TG4 starting January 21, 2024. This series is all about diving into the incredible stories behind Ireland’s most common surnames, making history come alive in a way that’s easy for everyone to enjoy.
The surnames featured in the first series include Ó Flaithearta, Ó Murchú, Ó Ceallaigh, Ó Suilleabháin, Ó Domhnaill, Seoighe and Ó Conchubhair.
Sloinne paints a colourful picture of how our local areas and surnames are deeply intertwined. The rugged landscapes of West Cork, where the O’Sullivans have left their mark, the historic tales of the O’Donnells echoing through the hills of Donegal, and the ancient lineage of the Joyces of Galway.
Each episode features a special guest exploring their family surname, taking us on a journey back in time. We’ll visit ancient strongholds tied to these names, reliving epic battles and feuds over land and possessions. From the famous to the infamous, modern-day stories of surname bearers add a personal touch, highlighting our enduring connection to our ancestors.
Sloinne is not your average history lesson; it’s a fascinating blend of the past and the present, bridging the gap in a way that’s both entertaining and informative. Whether you’re in Ireland or part of the Irish diaspora, if you’re into cultural heritage, Sloinne is your go-to series.
In episode one, Mazz O’Flaherty, Dingle Record Shop owner goes in search of the history of the O’Flaherty surname. Her story takes her to Galway and onto the Aran Islands as she is interested in the fact that Oscar Wilde has Flaherty as part of his surname.
The second episode sees Noelle Gallagher (Ní Mhurchú ), daughter of the late Liam Ó Murchú, go on a journey to learn more about her Murphy surname, a journey that takes her from Dublin to Wexford and onward to Cork, the area most associated with the surname.
In episode three, Aodán Ó Ceallaigh who is originally from An Rinn in Waterford finds his name in the Old Irish Manuscripts and from there learns that the name comes from an old Kingdom which no longer exists. He visits the region to find out more and meets with people who tell him stories about others with the same surname such as actress Grace Kelly and singer Luke Kelly.
Seán Ó Súilleabháin goes in search of the story and history behind the O’Sullivan surname and as one would expect it will inevitably take him to County Cork.
Hannah Ní Dhomhnaill, who is originally from the Donegal Gaeltacht goes on a journey to find out more about the surname O’ Donnell.
Máirtín Seoighe from County Galway?goes in search of the history of his surname which of course takes him to’ Joyce Country’ and beyond.
Frankie Ó Conchubhair goes in search of the history behind his surname, and ends up in Roscommon at Clonalis House, the ancestral home of the O’Conor family.
