Five celebrities to go back to the Gaeltacht in new RTÉ series

An Irish language version of this article is available here.

Complete with céilí mór and a scrúdú béil.

For many, the Gaeltacht is home to many happy teenage memories; first kisses, last dances, and temperamental weather miles from home. Five celebrities recently returned to those halcyon days as part of the new RTÉ series, Réaltaí na Gaeltachta. Filmed in the stunning Donegal Gaeltacht, the five familiar faces stayed with a local Bean an Tí, and attended classes, céilís, and even had obair bhaile (homework) to do. Broadcaster Des Cahill, writer and previous Miss Ireland winner Amanda Brunker, comedian Fred Cooke, Mayo footballer-turned-AFL-player Oisín Mullin and Tiktok star Lauren Whelan all enrolled at Coláiste Bhríde in Rann na Feirste to spend a full week speaking nothing but Irish. Múinteoirí (Teachers) Niall and Méabh put the celebs through their paces in the morning in the classroom, before heading out for activities in the afternoon, including singing, dancing, and kayaking. The teachers were assisted by locals to the area, including Múinteoir Ceoil (music teacher) Hugh Mac Giolla Chearra and artist Morag. At the end of the week, the students were hit with a scrúdú béil (oral exam) to test just how much they had learned in their time in Donegal. And with a prize-giving ceremony at the end, which of the five will be named the true Réalt na Gaeltachta? The show is set to be a shot of nostalgia for those who remember those days of summer learning, and an opportunity for others who ever wondered what the experience would be like. Réaltaí na Gaeltachta is set to air on Tuesday (28 February) at 7pm on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player. You can check out the trailer for the new series here.