Cé A Chónaigh I Mo Theachsa? (Who Lived in My House?) – Series 1
6 x 25 Minute HD Documentary Series
This series tells the extraordinary stories of our houses and who lived in them before us. Who was murdered in our basement, who made love in the back bedroom and who hid under the stairs during the Civil War? Veteran traveller and broadcaster, Manchán Magan takes us on a fascinating journey into the history of one of our houses in each episode, each house being a portal into the past.
Credits
- Executive Producer – Stephen Rooke, Dave Farrell
- Series Producer – Stephen Rooke
- Director – Ruán Magan
- Presenter – Manchán Magan
- Writer – Ruán Magan
- Writer – Manchán Magan
- Researcher – David Ryan
- Lighting Cameraman – Ronan Fox
- Editor – Dáithí Connaughton
BROADCASTERS & FUNDERS:
- TG4
CÉ A CHÓNAIGH I MO THEACHSA – This series tells the extraordinary stories of our houses and who lived in them before us. Who was murdered in our basement, who made love in the back bedroom and who hid under the stairs during the Civil War? How many children were born here and who did they become? The reason most people like historic buildings isn’t just because of their architecture, which can be replicated, it’s knowing that others preceded us, and that lifetimes occurred in our homes. ‘Cé a Chónaigh i moTheachsa?’ sets out to unlock the real stories hidden in our walls.
Veteran traveller and broadcaster, ManchánMagan takes us on a fascinating journey into the history of our houses. With the help of the experts, he will examine the existing architectural evidence of our houses, speak to neighbours, family members, local historians, and delve into the National Archives, local libraries and Registry of Deeds to discover the colourful characters of the past who kept their front door key under the mat of the same front step over a century ago.
The six house stories will cover more than 200 years of Irish history – each house being a portal into the past. Manchán will be delving into archives unopened for decades to reveal unsung heros of 1916, childhood connections between Oscar Wilde and the infamous Edward Carson, the illustrious world of the Dublin tallow chandlers in the 1790’s. He will discover great works of art and music that have been inspired by and created within the walls of our houses. He will meet The Waterboys whose album ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ was recorded in Spiddal House. Paddy Moloney from The Chieftains tells him of the inspirational relationship his band have with Garech a Brún and his magical house in Luggala, Co. Wicklow.
Manchàn says of “Cè a Chònaigh i moTheachsa”:
“For me, the thrill was knowing that each time I knocked on the door of a house, I was setting in train a mystery, embarking on a journey to bring the forgotten shadows into the light, to give the walls and windows their time to speak. Every old house wants to tell its story.”
Tile Films fascinating series for TG4 was devised by Series Producer Stephen Rooke and Producer Rachel Towell. ManchánMagan’s brother RuánMagan directs. Manchan and Ruán are a dynamic duo, who have travelled the world making a series of internationally acclaimed documentaries titled “ManchánarSeachrán” for TG4. And now, following a 7 year break, Tile Films have brought them back together again to produce this high-end, intriguing and highly entertaining series ‘Cé a Chónaigh i moTheachsa?’. The series was made possible through the financial support of TG4, the BAI (Broadcast Authority of Ireland) Sound & Vision Broadcasting Funding Scheme and the Section 481 investment incentive for the Irish Film Industry provided by the Government of Ireland.
