IN SEARCH OF ANCIENT IRELAND: SAINTS (TV)
Summary
The second installment in this three-part series exploring the history behind the myths and legends of Ireland from the Stone Age through the Middle Ages. In this episode, Gerard McSorely narrates a journey to villages, towns and sites in Ireland to witness modern-day religious and cultural practices as historians, archaeologists, scientists, artisans and clerics explain the pagan and early Christian origins of these rituals and festivals. Historians Elva Johnston, Edel Bhreatnach, Maire Herbison, and Dagmar O Riain-Raedel discuss the legends and histories of prominent Irish saints, including Patrick, Brigid, Brendan, and Columba. The program also explores the large part the Irish Church played in maintaining the knowledge, customs, and language of the Roman Catholic Church through the dissolution of the Roman Empire on Continental Europe and in the wake of the invasion of pagan warlords from the East. Artist Jim Fitzpatrick and calligrapher Tim O'Neill discuss the literary monastic culture of pre-Modern Ireland, represented by the illuminated manuscripts, which were was key to the preservation of classical arts and knowledge throughout the "Dark Ages." Patrick Wallace, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, discusses the craftsmanship, exemplified by the metalwork in the Museum's collection, that is also representative of ancient Ireland's artistic and technical accomplishments. Father Anthony Keane, historian Donnchadh O' Corrain, Peter Harbison, and others also discuss Ireland's reputation in Europe of the Middle Ages as a font of great scholarship and culture. Fergus O'Carroll and Brian Daly play prehistoric music on reconstructions of period instruments in this episode.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 2003.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: June 19, 2002 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:56:46
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:74843
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries; Ireland - History; Religion
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 2002
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "In Search of Ireland" (home video of this series)
CREDITS
- William R. Grant … Executive Producer
- Kevin Dawson … Executive Producer
- James Mitchell … Executive Producer
- Andre Singer … Executive Producer
- Leo Eaton … Series Producer, Director, Writer
- Lesley McKimm … Producer
- Niamh Barrett … Co-Producer
- Wendy Wolf … Associate Producer
- Christine Thornton … Researcher
- Carmel McCafferty … Writing (Misc.), Series Historical Consultant
- Barry Raftery … Writing (Misc.), Historical Consultant
- John Waddell … Writing (Misc.), Historical Consultant
- Patrick R. Wallace … Writing (Misc.), Historical Consultant
- Micheal O'Suilleabhain … Music by, Conductor, Instrumentalist, Solo Piano
- Irish Chamber Orchestra … Symphony Orchestra
- National Chamber Choir … Choir/Chorus
- Kenneth Edge … Instrumentalist, Soprano Sax
- Declan McCarthy … Instrumentalist, French Horns
- David Carmody … Instrumentalist, French Horns
- Fergus O'Carroll … Instrumentalist, French Horns
- Brian Daly … Instrumentalist, French Horns
- Maria O'Dwyer … Music (Misc. Credits), Prehistoric Music
- Simon O'Dwyer … Music (Misc. Credits), Prehistoric Music
- Gerard McSorely … Narrator
- Edel Bhreatnach
- Jim Fitzpatrick
- Peter Harbison
- Maire Herbison
- Elva Johnston
- Anthony Keane
- Donnchadh O'Corrain
- Tim O'Neill
- O Riain-Raedel, Dagmar
- Patrick Wallace
- St. Brendan
- St. Brigid
- St. Columba
- St. Patrick