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Irish Examiner

Uncharted with Ray Goggins review: Leo Varadkar is a breath of fresh air, Lyra an ideal foil

Uncharted with Ray Goggins (RTÉ One and RTÉ Player) starts with a question — will getting a bunch of celebs to do some rock-climbing reveal who they truly are? The first celeb is introduced as Leo. That Leo, the guy who was taoiseach, is now driving Bandon singer Lyra up a rocky South African mountain in a Land Rover. It's nice enough, Lyra talking about salmon sperm injections while Leo grins and talks about having his own driver for the past 13 years. Then they meet former soldier Ray Goggins. Ray is, as Leo says in his hard-to-read voice, not very friendly. He's all business, warning of the dangers facing them on the Drakensberg Mountains. Leo reveals early on that this was going to be tougher than he expected, which was a worry because at the time he was hiking up what looked like Carrauntoohil for beginners. Ray pointedly said he was glad that Lyra was there — it's safe to say Leo didn't have his vote at that stage. He didn't have mine either. When Ray rustled up some pasta and pesto in their cave, Leo said it was grand but he wouldn't serve it to a prime minister or president. Cheer up, Leo! He did eventually, after a steeper part of the climb. By now the show is delivering. Lyra is sweary, open, and very, very Cork. Leo is shy, unsure of himself, and doesn't know what to make of Ray. But the climb seems to sort them all out and he flashes a proper smile over a cup of tea with the others. Next up is a climb up 'the famed Drakensberg ladders'. Lyra discovers she has a massive fear of heights. Ray tells her to relax. He's just the right amount of grumpy. Their final challenge is a 300-metre climb up a cliff-face. It's proper scary. This isn't one of those travel shows where a mid-ranking comedian has a breakdown on a rollercoaster. Leo baulked half-way up but Ray told him to relax. He kept going. Ray gave him a shove and he made it to the top, sharing a hug with Lyra as they admitted how scared they were. Sharing a celebratory cup of tea on the peak, Leo said he regretted he didn't offer the same encouragement to his ministers in governments Ray did to Lyra and himself. Leo's a breath of fresh air here, unable to hide his emotions, good or bad. Lyra is an ideal foil, with her folksy optimism. Will this show work with other guests? I'd say so. Ray is intriguing just by himself. Give it a watch. Read More Après Match star takes on the tale of Irish football legend Ollie Byrne