A new Irish travel series showcasing the west of Ireland has begun filming in Mayo this week. The new eight-part prime time series will challenge veteran journalist and best-selling author Dave Kenny to substitute his comfortable surroundings of Dalkey for the windswept Wild Atlantic Way. Kenny Wild will air this October on IrishTV (available on Sky channel 191, Freesat channel 400, Eircom’s eVision channel 191 and online at irishtv.ie ).
The best-selling author of The Little Buke of Dublin and Erindipity: The Irish Miscellany, Kenny will travel through Mayo meeting some of the county’s quirkiest characters and talking to ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
“I’ve done most of my work within the bubble of Dublin and within that bubble is another one called Dalkey, so this journey is about taking me outside my comfort zone and experiencing the real Ireland that I have been writing about for so long,” said Dave. “I’m going to immerse myself in this in a way that no other travelogue has before. I’ll be camping along the way, trying my hand at bog snorkelling and learning to play the uillean pipes. Spontaneity is the key to all good adventures – and this road trip is rife with it.”
While in Westport, Dave will face his fears and get up on stage with the dancers from The Legend of Grainne Mhaol show in front of packed house. Dave will also meet one of Mayo’s most recognisable artists, Joe Boske, before taking in a few holes with Terry Joyce at the Glendalough Pitch and Putt in Connemara. “This is the wilder Atlantic Way,” said Dave. “I’m going coasteering in Donegal, which will involve jumping off a cliff into the sea and when you consider that I don’t swim and I’m afraid of heights, it will give you some idea of how far outside my comfort zone I’m willing to get. I’ll also be dancing in The Legend of Grainne Mhaol stage show which is actually more terrifying for me than jumping off a cliff.”
Kenny Wild is part of a new season of programming on IrishTV which includes a new traditional music show from the iconic Matt Molloy’s pub in Westport and a new country music show On the Road with Lisa McHugh.
