Full House! New Irish series ‘Bingo Nights’ airs on TV3.

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Friday25th April 2014

 

 

Full House!

New Irish series ‘Bingo Nights’ airs on TV3.

 

TV3 follows bingo players ranging from 22-82 from Waterford, Wexford, Limerick, Galway and Dublin.

 

Shauna (22) has been playing bingo with her mother since she was 19 and uses her winnings to pay bills and provide for her young son.

 

Lifelong pioneers, Mícheál (82) and Angela Lyons (78) say that: “Being in the heart of the country is lonely”. Adding, “Only for bingo, we’d be long gone”.

 

‘Bingo Nights’ airs Wednesday 30th April 2014 at 9pm on TV3.

 

Interviews with contributors available on request

 

Behind every bingo hall door there’s a caller, floor staff, countless characters and endless craic. With players ranging from 22-82, this brand new two-part TV3 documentary follows bingo lovers from all over Ireland including Waterford, Wexford, Limerick, Galway and Dublin.

 

With an average of 100,000 games of bingo being played in Ireland every night, this documentary demonstrates the necessity of the game, through the entertainment of some and escapism of others.

 

In the first episode of the series, TV3 introduces us to several heart-warming characters who share a fondness for bingo despite their age difference and rural verses urban setting. From Moyross, County Limerick, Shirley Woodland and her 22 year old daughter Shauna go to bingo to share quality time together. Far from when she was once embarrassed to admit playing bingo at the age of 19 in The Stella Bingo, Shauna now welcomes downtime with her mother and winnings which helps to pay bills and provide for her young son.

 

In contrast to the plush surroundings of The Stella Bingo in Limerick, locals from the rural area of Tynagh in County Galway, play in a simpler setting. Based in the community GAA hall, what lacks in decoration, is made up for in a warm ambiance, speaking volumes louder than any words can describe. The local volunteers, who’ve kept the club open for 30 years, highlight how important it is for many people in the surrounding areas, offering many their only social outlet.

 

Lifelong pioneers, Mícheál (82) and Angela Lyons (78) have been going to bingo together for 22 years and say they: “Wouldn’t know what to do without bingo. Being in the heart of the country is lonely”. Adding, “Only for bingo, we’d be long gone”.

 

Also representing their corner in The National Stadium Bingo, is Marie Lynam and her cousin Catherine Roe. Having played for a combined 65 years, these ladies are the queen bees of Bingo. Taking the game in their stride, the duo enjoy each night “having a bit of buzz with everyone from the employees to strangers on their first night”.

 

‘Bingo Nights’ airs Wednesday 30th April 2014 at 9pm on TV3.

 

Images have been sent to your picture desks.

 

Interviews with contributors available on request

 

ENDS

 

For further information
Ciara Byrne – Press Officer – 01 419 3329/087 319 9732

Jean O’Donovan – Press & Publicity Assistant – 01 419 3428

Sharon McHugh – Head of Press & Publicity – 087 922 4143

publicity@tv3.ie                        
www.tv3.ie

 

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