New Sky Original series will explore Ireland’s Best Loved Novelists, Playwrights & Artists
The Sky Original will premiere on Sky Arts and NOW on 14 December

Tourism Ireland, Sky & Red Shoe Productions proudly present ‘Voices of Ireland’, a new two-part music and literary documentary series hosted by Imelda May. Sky today announced a new two-part music and literary series that will explore the works of some of Ireland’s most famous novelists, poets and playwrights. ‘Voices of Ireland’, hosted by Imelda May, will premiere on Sky Arts and NOW, on Tuesday 14th December.

Paying homage to the literature, scenery and music that has shaped Irish culture, the new series will take us on a tour of the island of Ireland, where Imelda will be joined by Ireland’s most illustrious, contemporary creatives; singers, musicians, spoken word poets, actors and writers. In their company, the great works of Yeats, Beckett, Wilde, Kavanagh and others will be recreated and reimagined for a new audience through a series of intimate and bespoke performances.

The series examines the works of Ireland’s best-loved writers through the twin lenses of place and space. For decades Ireland has punched well above its weight in terms of its literary contribution – but why? This series will explore the connections forged over decades between place, space and creativity in the Irish psyche.

Over two episodes Imelda May and her guests will retrace the footsteps of Joyce, Yeats, Heaney, Kavanagh, Beckett and many others as we find ourselves immersed in the landscapes that we have often visited in our minds – the stony grey soil of Monaghan, the leafy canal walks near Raglan Road, Grafton Street on a bustling Friday evening, and the bee-loud glade in Innisfree.

As well as revisiting the literary ghosts of our past with recitations from Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea, Booker-prize nominated author Colm Toíbín and Emmet Kirwan, Imelda will meet fellow musicians, including Moya Brennan, Sharon Shannon, Loah, and Pillow Queens for a series of intimate performances and entertaining musical interludes.

Speaking ahead of the series, Voices of Ireland host Imelda May said: “I was really excited to get involved with this project and showcase the breadth of talent Ireland has offered the world. Travelling around this small country and showcasing the profound impact Irish artists have had across the globe has been a wonderful experience.”

Commenting on Voices of Ireland, JD Buckley, CEO, Sky Ireland: “We were delighted to work with Imelda May on this two-part series. It showcases how Irish artists have been at the pinnacle of their craft, and have put Ireland on the map, all over the world. Voices of Ireland is just a part of a wider investment by Sky in Irish content across multiple genres including factual, comedy and sport.”
Produced by Red Shoe Productions in conjunction with Tourism Ireland and Sky, the two-part series is directed by IFTA award-winning Maggie Breathnach, a Producer and Director with over two decades of experience. Breathnach is joined on this production by Emmy Award Winning, Musical Creator, Moya Brennan and Award-Winning Cinematographer, Patrick Jordan as Director of Photography.