‘Kerry: Tides of Time' documentary to air on RTÉ One with Brendan Gleeson narrating
This sweeping series offers a deep dive into the evolution of the Kerry landscape, tracing its story from ancient geological beginnings to the present day. It is brought to life by the voices of those who know Kerry best—local biologists, historians, ecologists, and archaeologists—whose connection to the land brings a personal and often moving dimension to the narrative.
Set against a backdrop of some of Ireland's most iconic scenery—including the Skellig Islands, Carrauntoohil, and Killarney National Park—Kerry: Tides of Time promises a richly woven portrait of one of the country's most storied counties.
The series was produced and directed by Katrina Costello and she spoke to The Kerryman in extra detail about what the show.
'Kerry is one of the most breath taking places in Ireland, with its wild beauty, rich biodiversity, and unique landscapes. It's fabulous. I love it, the wildness of people and place. The national parks are an amazing facility for Ireland, and have some stunning pockets of incredible Yew, Oak, Scots pine and mixed woodlands. I had a lot of assistance from Padraig O Sullivan and all the fantastic rangers in the National Park,' she said.
"I learned while there, is that there is as such wildlife, outside of the national park as there is inside the park, perhaps even more and that these areas need to be valued and safeguarded. We spent hundreds of hours in the tiny fragments of Atlantic rainforests and the bogs, filming the richness of the flora and fauna within. A particular favourite of mine is the hen harriers, one of Ireland's most endangered birds. Their numbers continue to drop, mainly due to habitat loss from large-scale spruce plantations,' she continued.
Katrina reserved special praise for the many people that are doing amazing conservation work behind the scenes.
'There is some fantastic work being done on an individual basis, by people like Tim and Barry O Donoghue, Eoghan Dalton, and an endless list of others who have dedicated their lives to nature and restoration,' she said.
'In Kerry, there are a growing number of amazing organic farmers, and exemplar community-led groups, like the various Meitheals, which aim to tackle the problem of invasive rhododendrons and the award winning Maharees Conservation Association, and Ballybunion Nature Group who are building community resilience and using nature-based solutions, to protect the sand dune habitats and Home Tree, a nature restoration charity, based in the west of Ireland working to establish and restore resilient habitats, focusing on native temperate rainforests.
'The list of people and organizations that are passionate about nature restoration is endless and these people bring hope for a better future,' she continued.
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Episode one this coming Sunday takes a deep look at the history, geology, and people of Kerry. It starts on a remote, rocky shoreline where the first signs of vertebrate life on Earth can be found, then moves through the story of how humans have lived in and interacted with this landscape over thousands of years. It's a story of people trying to survive and make a home in a place shaped by forests, mountains, and valleys.
The episode includes striking, cinematic recreations of key moments from the past. These scenes don't show things literally but suggest what life might have been like, helping to draw viewers into the world of our ancestors in a subtle but powerful way.
Throughout, the audience will hear from leading experts who share their knowledge and personal insights, adding depth and context to the story being told.
Episode two on May 4 meanwhile will follow a single year in Kerry's natural world, showing how the seasons change across different landscapes. It focuses on the lives of some of the area's most interesting animals, including badgers, red deer, hen harriers, and puffins.
The filming is detailed and immersive, giving us a rare look into the daily lives of these creatures. Special cameras capture intimate moments with a badger clan, and rare access to the Skellig Islands lets us see the puffin breeding season up close.
Beyond the animal stories, the episode also explores how local ecosystems work, and how changes in the modern world are affecting some of Kerry's more vulnerable wildlife.
The trailer for the series can be found here: https://vimeo.com/1076643826
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