For further information:
Louise Zayed
Senior Press Officer
Tel: +353 1 419 3428
louise.zayed@tv3.ie
Kevin Shore
Press Officer
Tel: +353 1 419 3387
kevin.shore@virginmedia.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday23rd September, 2014
‘Darndale’ documentary that sparked much debate proves a ratings winner for TV3.
The series premiere has proved a ratings success, reaching 489,000 viewers.
The debate has been heated on social media since airing last night and remains the focal point of discussion in Ireland, still trending number 1 on Twitter at 9.45am this morning!
The next episode of the series will focus on the community spirit that is prominent in Darndale.
Interviews available on request.
‘Darndale: The Edge of Town’ episode 2 airs Monday 29th September at 9pm on TV3.
Please see link to clip of Darndale that can be embedded onto your website: https://vimeo.com/105864355 - Make sure to credit TV3 with date and time of Episode 2.
Video Link to view the first episode is available on request
The series premiere of TV3’s hard hitting documentary ‘Darndale: The Edge of Town’ has proved a ratings success, reaching 489,000 viewers or approximately 11.8% of the available viewing population. An average of 211,800 people tuned in to watch the ambitious, observational series which follows local residents on one of Ireland's most notorious housing estates, Darndale in North Dublin. The programme was very strong for young audiences, with Adults 15-24 posting a 19.74% share and Women 15-34 even more impressive, at 26.07%.
Following the release of the TV3 promo for the series last week, a huge debate was sparked amongst residents with some Darndale locals voicing their concern regarding the documentary on 98fm’s ‘Dublin Talks with Adrian Kennedy’. The debate has also been heated on social media. According to @TTmobile_ie, #darndale began to trend on Twitter 15 minutes into the programme as the number 2 trend in Ireland. From then its popularity grew, and it remains the focal point of discussion in Ireland, still trending number 1 at 9.45am this morning.
Despite its reputation as an unemployment, crime and drug black spot, it is home to a vibrant and close-knit community. The fly-on-the-wall series gives an honest portrayal of Darndale’s residents’ lives as they cope with harsh everyday realities, experience moments of triumph and despair, while looking beyond the boundaries of the estate and seeking a brighter future.
In the first episode we were introduced to Darndale locals - Stephen Clinch (Clinchy), who explains how the estate has changed over the years and how a once prize-winning social housing plan failed so spectacularly; single mum Gemma (19), who was finding her feet as she copes with the reality of caring for Alfie, her three week old baby boy; single mother Angelique Louthe, who is planning to splash out and make it a Christmes to remember for her family: and Noel Darby, who is in the throes of drug addiction and is anxiously waiting for a place on a drug treatment programme.
The next episode of the series, which will be airing next Monday 29th September at 9pm, will focus on the community spirit that is prominent in Darndale. We meet street sweeper Tommy, whose real passion is for Darndale Football Club. Tommy is the motivating force behind a Strictly Come Dancing charity fundraiser. It's tense times for Christopher as he is under huge parental pressure to study for his Leaving Cert exams. Birthday comes a week early for Roseanne as friends and family chip in to sort out the piles of rubbish that have been piling up in the back garden. Early school leaver Gemma is tired of being on the dole and wants a different kind of life for herself and baby son Alfie and has decided to look at college courses.
‘Darndale: The Edge of Town’ episode 2 airs Monday 29th September at 9pm on TV3.
Images have been sent to your picture desks and are available on request.
See Notes to Editor for contributor biogs.
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
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
Darndale contributor biogs:
Stephen ‘Clinchy' Clinch: ‘The Main Man’ (47), Primrose Grove
Known as “The Main Man”, Stephen Clinch (Clinchy) loves acting and recently had a part as Fran's love rival Noelie in the TV series “Love Hate”. Clinchy started acting classes while in prison and continued acting classes on his release with RASP - a community based drug rehabilitation programme in Darndale, that provides support and training courses for stable methadone addicts. Clinchy spent 20 years of his life in prison for a range of criminal offences, ranging from car theft to armed robbery. However, since his release more than eight years ago Clinchy has stayed out of trouble and away from prison. A reformed character, Clinchy now helps out troubled young local men, who come looking to him for advice. Between acting and mentoring Clinchy is a drummer in a local band and rehearses twice a week.
Angelique Louthe (38), single mother, Primrose Grove
Single mother Angelique lives with her two sons, Brody aged five and teenage son Robert aged 15 years. Angelique is very involved in community work doing up the local playground and also in a pilot project set up by the council to keep her area, a little horseshoe groups of houses, clean and tidy. Angelique admits that she struggles each week with money and has used money lenders for years, but finished paying off a big loan a few months ago. Angelique was at one stage paying back €90 a week, but says money lending is a big thing in Darndale as a lot of families struggle with finances, particularly big ticket items. As a single parent, Angelique admits that life can be very hard and she enrolled in a course called ‘Prepare for Life’ which helps mothers to learn the basics of coping with their kids - talking to them, dealing with bullying, managing money and cooking healthy meals. At times she would have lived on beans and toast, putting her son's welfare first, but doesn't complain saying it all with a huge smile on her face. We see Angelique excitedly prepare for Christmas, while fondly remembering her own father, who passed away around Christmas time. Angelique also hosts an Ann Summers party for herself and a few mates, for as a single parent she rarely gets out to socialise with her girlfriends - "If Angelique can't go to the party, then the party will come to Angelique."
Gemma Geraghty (19) single mother, Primrose Grove
Single mother Gemma (19) has a seven month old baby boy called Alfie. When we first meet Gemma, Alfie is just three weeks old and she is struggling financially, as she is still living on a 100 euro a week Jobseekers Allowance. Gemma is no longer with Alfie's father, as they broke up after going out with each other for eight months. One of five children, Gemma lives with her mother Roseanne and her younger siblings, Anthony (9) and sister Rebecca (12), who is almost like a second mother to Alfie. Gemma and her family are grieving the loss of Gemma's sister Nicole's baby son, who died a few months previously at just eight weeks old. Despite her own loss, Nicole supported Gemma through her pregnancy, attending at the birth and passing on her son’s baby clothes and his new pram. Coping well with being a new parent, Gemma is understandably anxious about Alfie's heart murmur, which was diagnosed at birth and may require medical intervention. Having left school in her final year, Gemma regrets not sitting the Leaving Cert and talks about going back to do a PLC course, but with a small baby to care for this could be a challenge. We follow Gemma over a few key months in her and Alfie's life.
Noel Darby (36)
Noel Darby is a drug addict, now on methadone, who has done time over the years in prison. However, for the past two years he has been on a waiting list for a residential drug rehabilitation programme. With three infant daughters to care for, Noel is very anxious to get his life sorted, as he doesn't want his younger girls, three year old twins and six month old baby, having the same father that their older sister's knew. Now stable and on a relatively low dose of methadone, things are looking up for Noel as he is assessed for a residential treatment programme, but will he be able to tear himself away from his children, whom he is very close to?
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