“Ireland with Michael”, a new 6-part travel and music series premieres on Public Television stations across the United States and Canada this month. Created and hosted by Emmy nominated Irish tenor and an expert on all things Celtic, Michael Londra, “Ireland with Michael” aims to tell a story of Ireland through the eyes and hearts of its greatest assets – its creators, painters, singers, dancers and storytellers.
Set amid stunning Irish scenery, “Ireland With Michael” features a travelogue of Ireland’s most beloved tourist destinations, hidden gems and tips for the traveler all seen through a musical lens.
For each episode Michael Londra is joined by top Irish singers, musicians and writers as co-hosts and special guests. The program offers breathtaking views of the Emerald Isle, Irish and Celtic music, interviews and duet performances with major artists and local but yet undiscovered talent.
Season One’s featured artists include international stars and public television darlings such as Chloë Agnew (Celtic Woman), Brian Kennedy (Riverdance), Celtic Thunder’s Ryan Kelly, Nathan Carter, Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl author), Kilfenora Céilí Band, trumpeter Niall O’Sullivan and trad bands One for the Foxes, Ceolteoirí Munna and Beoga.
The concept for the TV series grew from the “Ireland With Michael” organized tours of Ireland that Michael Londra has been hosting for his fans for almost 10 years. Creating such tours helped Michael reconnect with the beauty of his homeland. He themes each tour around a certain area or aspect of Irish culture such as “The Wild Atlantic Way”, “Ireland’s Ancient East” and “Castles and Culture” and always includes a musical component. The increasing popularity of these tours led Michael to grow the concept into a travel and music series and partner with public television to reach a wider audience.
Season One of the TV series airs on stations across the United States in May, June and July 2021.
The show is produced by VenuWorks Theatricals and NBC producer, Mike Sulzberger and is distributed in the US by Detroit Public Television and NETA with main sponsorship from Tourism Ireland & CIE Tours.
“Filming over the past 18 months during a pandemic has been difficult to say the least but with an Irish based crew and a lot of planning we managed to pull it off. Preparation for the Season 2 shoot are well underway and the shoot itself will begin this summer.” Said Londra, of the production process.
“I always wanted to marry tourism to our greatest asset, our artists and the Public Television network was the best avenue to take”.
The companion travel book will be published in the fall and a live concert tour with spectacular video footage from the show will cross North America in spring 2022. Meanwhile, Londra is hosting tours to Ireland in 2022 and beyond. C
For a full list of airings go to www.irelandwithmichael.com