Dungarvan's Déise Day Centre to feature in TG4 documentary

Bláth na hAoise

TG4 Wednesday 1st November 9.30pm

Bláth na hAoise is a brand-new documentary celebrating the lives of older people at the Déise Day Centre in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford which will broadcast on TG4 on the 1st of November at 9.30pm. Filmed over a five-year period, the project aims to showcase the community spirit and the challenges for older people in Ireland in the 21st century. With intimate and candid footage, the film explores deep themes of life, death, and fear of aging, alongside uplifting adventures such as dancing, painting and hairstyling. Bláth na hAoise shows that life doesn't stop after retirement. The centre is a 'home away from home' for over 65s in the locality and was among the winners at the IPB Pride of Place Awards in 2019. The centre offers meals on wheels services, social clubs and mobility classes, along with special monthly meet-ups and trips. 

Produced by Red Shoe Productions for TG4, the film was directed by IFTA award-winning Maggie Breathnach. Speaking about the special, Maggie Breathnach said: “This project was dreamed up in the Spring of 2016, to celebrate our aging population, giving them time on-screen, those we sometimes brush past on a Friday as we rush about doing our shopping. Many of these older people are the last generation of Irish speakers from one of the smallest Gaeltachts in the country, and they deserve to impart their life stories and life lessons to today’s society. Having grown up in An Rinn, I am proud to have produced this film with a local crew and team. Ensuring that we work as lámh a chéile and we nurture our home grown talent giving opportunities at every turn.”

The bilingual film is narrated by Waterford’s Carrie Crowley, and has an original music score by Mark Murphy. The Déise Day Centre is a unique social outlet for older people which is open five days a week and at the time of filming was managed by the passionate and dedicated Margaret Coffey and her team. In the film, we meet many characters to hear their compelling stories, some of whom we have since lost, but remain an integral part of the film. With filming paused for over two years during Covid, the project had challenges to overcome, but hope was never lost. The film reveals the determination and love of the team for the members, and its reciprocation.