Mick Bracken's new country music show airs next week
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Presenter Jó Ní Chéide on location at Belvedere House and Gardens last summer.Image 2 of 2
Director Mick Bracken, right, takes a break while shooting a video for singer Stephen Rosney, left, in Castletown Geoghegan that will feature in the new series of Viva Ceol Tíre. Also in the photo, from left, Luke Rosney (banjo), Seamóg Buckley (actor), Jade Rosney (high bass), Kevin Bracken (camera operator), Mick Lowe (actor), Joe Cooney (actor) and Luke Rosney (fiddle).The first episode of the second series of a TG4 country music show produced and directed by a Westmeath videographer airs next Tuesday night, March 7.
The upcoming episodes of Mick Bracken’s Viva Ceol Tíre series features videos from a host of well known local figures from Ireland’s thriving country music scene, including Robert Mizzell, TR Dallas, Tony Allen, Camillus Egerton, Kenny Hicks and Declan Nerney, and a number of the videos were shot locally.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Dalystown native Mick explained the idea behind Viva Ceol Tire, which was shot between June and October last year. “The majority of filming for the new series was shot outdoors, showcasing the beautiful scenery we have here in Ireland.
“The audience gets to witness the evolution in the country genre here year after year, with our existing artists along with the artists that are new to the scene.
“Our intention is to continually bring the viewers music they love and also introduce them to new talent on the country music scene that has not previously appeared on TG4.
“As country music continues to evolve in Ireland, the viewer gets a chance to witness country artists away from the stage with breath-taking outdoor location videos. For example, Sinéad McLoughlin’s video was filmed at Tullynally Castle and Matt Leavy’s video was shot at Belvedere House and Gardens.”
The first series of Viva Ceol Tíre went down well with country music fans and, having filmed some 1800 music videos for Ireland’s biggest country music stars over the course of his career, the vastly experienced Mick is hopeful the upcoming series will be just as popular.
He has high hopes that Viva Ceol Tíre will be on our screens for many more years to come. “Our presenter Jó Ní Chéide from Connemara has travelled to many locations around Ireland to present each programme.
“Viva Ceol Tíre can also develop new concepts for the series to keep it fresh for modern Irish country music and also promote up and coming new Irish country artists.
“We are so lucky in Ireland to have such an array of talented country music artists and Viva Ceol Tíre gives the artist and the viewer an opportunity to be introduced.
“The artists and I would like to thank Máire Ní Chonláin, the commissioning editor for TG4 for allowing Bracken Entertainment to broadcast their new show on TG4.”
The new series of Viva Ceol Tíre was filmed throughout Ireland from June to October 2022. The first episode of the new series, which runs for 12 weeks, airs next Tuesday, March 7, on TG4 at 9.30pm.