Leo Varadkar to face 'ultimate test of survival' in new RTE adventure series
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be pushed "far beyond his comfort zone in the ultimate test of survival and resilience" for a new RTE adventure series hosted by ex special forces soldier Ray Goggins.
Uncharted with Ray Goggins, which debuts on RTE One later this month, sees well-known faces from the world of music, politics and sport take on extreme outdoor expeditions through some of the most remote and treacherous environments on Earth.
Each week, Ray challenges a new well-known pairing with a physically and mentally demanding adventure, designed to push each participant to their limits.
As they brave the wild together, the celebrity duo endure a deeply emotional journey, as Ray guides participants through a transformative wilderness challenge.
The first episode of the new four-part adventure series sees Leo Varadkar teams up with Cork singer Lyra to travel with Ray to the wild untamed mountains of Drakensberg, South Africa.
The unlikely trio sleep in caves, scale gigantic peaks and climb sheer rock faces as they make their way to the top of one of the tallest waterfalls on the planet, Tugela Falls.
Their bravery will then be put to the test as they are forced to take part in a death-defying vertical climb to the top of the Drakensberg Escarpment.
Also set to take part in the new series is controversial rap trio Kneecap. The Belfast group join Ray in the far north for a gruelling five-day Arctic experience that will test the lads' resilience in a landscape where temperatures can drop below minus 40C.
In another episode, Paralympic gold medallist Ellen Keane and six-time All-Ireland Camogie star Ashling Thompson travel to Bolivia to the start of the fabled 'Death Road' on a seven-day challenge, trekking close to 100km through the dense cloud forest of Bolivia, negotiating raging rivers, punishing terrain and wild jungle.
Climbing ever higher into the Andean Mountains, Ellen and Ashling will face one of the toughest tests of their lives and they traverse glaciers and snowfields to make a 6088-metre summit attempt.
Rounding out the impressive line-up is All-Ireland-winning Galway hurler Joe Canning and track and field star Thomas Barr.
The sporting duo meet Ray in Colombia, where they will embark on a gruelling journey navigating deadly class five river rapids for what is an unforgettable and dangerous challenge, pushing both to their limits in unfamiliar territory.
Met by Ray with warnings of deadly snakes and venomous spiders, their route back to civilisation will take five days navigating the rapids, with both accomplished sportsmen digging deep.
Episode 1 of Uncharted with Ray Goggins featuring Leo Varadkar and Lyra airs on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player on Wednesday, May 14 at 9.35pm
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