Programmes on tg4 Christmas 2015 Saturday 19th December 20: 25 Survivor San Juan del Sur

9:10 Garfield- Rodent Rebellion

The crazy rodents take over in a new action packed special! Criminal mastermind Ratzo leads the rodents in a series of robberies. When the police discover the hidden loot in the basement, Jon Arbuckle gets the blame. Garfield must stop ratting around and seek help from the legend of the Pied Piper in order to clear Jon's name!

Wednesday

8:25 Loopdidoo- Treassure of Captain Nem Bones

Loopdidoo, the goofy dog, has found the perfect spot to bury his bone. As he starts digging, Loopdidoo uncovers… A treasure chest! Right there! Isn’t that a lucky dog? Not quite… Not only does the treasure chest only contain incomprehensible clues, but the evil pirates, Captain Coco and his sidekicks, have just moored their ship, The Black Egg, off the island, determined to get their hands on the treasure too! Will Loopdidoo and his friends be able to outwit the pirates, rescue Loopdidoo’s cousin and find the treasure?

9:20 The Naughty List

When Snowflake’s mischief-loving brother Winter goes too far with a prank, they both get stuck on the Naughty List, doing a seemingly never-ending list of chores for Santa. Along with a spunky young reindeer named Sparkle, they try to make up for Winter’s misdeed.

As they start to feel like they might never get off the Naughty List, Winter’s inability to follow the rules put the North Pole in a serious jam, right before Santa’s big night. Suddenly Christmas needs to be saved and there’s nobody else who’s up to the task. It’s up to the trio of mischief-makers to save the holiday and make Santa proud.
Christmas Eve
9:20 Jungle Bunch An Turas Mór

(2011, Animation) At the South Pole, the walruses install a rule of terror for the penguins. Tommy and his sister travel to the Equator, where legend says a jungle 'penguin warrior' and his six companions live, who can come rescue them. Tiger-striped bird 'tiger' Maurice is flattered and accepts the task.

10:20 The Secret of Kells

2009 Animation. With the land in the grip of a Viking invasion, a young boy living in the monastery of his uncle, Abbot Ceallach, finds a way to turn the darkness into light.

13:05 Father's Little Dividend

(1951, Romance) Starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett and Elizabeth Taylor. Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Newly married Kay Dunstan announces that she and her husband are going to have a baby, leaving her father having to come to grips with the fact that he will soon be a granddad.

14:40 Shark Bait / The Reef

In an ocean ruled by big and powerful sharks who prey on the fearful, one small fish is about to embark on an adventure that will forever change The Reef. When young Pi (voiced by Freddie Prinze--"Freddie," Scooby-Doo films) tragically loses both his parents to a fisherman's net, he embarks on a journey from his home in Boston to the tropical Pacific to live with his eccentric Aunt Pearl (voiced by Fran Drescher). There he immediately falls for Cordelia (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood); however, the local bully, a tiger shark named Troy (voiced by Donal Logue), already plans to marry Cordelia. Now, get ready to root for the little guy in this big blue adventure under the sea, because for Pi to find true love and to save Cordelia from a life married to a real shark, he's going to have to find a way to overcome the big fish who terrorizes everyone on The Reef.

17:20 Little Manhattan

A 10-year-old and an 11-year-old find love in New York City.

Director: Mark Levin Writer: Jennifer Flackett Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Charlie Ray, Bradley Whitford.
21:00 The Big Tease

(2000) Comedy. Starring Craig Ferguson, Chris Langham and David Rasche. Directed by Kevin Allen. Craig Ferguson from the Drew Carey Show stars as Crawford Mackenzie, Scotland's leading hairdresser, determined to show off his talents for the greater glory of Scottish hair styling. Things do not turn out as he had planned.

Christmas Day

10:05 Niko The Flight Before Christmas

(2008, Animation) Niko is a little reindeer with big dreams to be like his father: a member of Santa's Flying Forces reindeer troupe. With the help of a flying squirrel named Julius and a singing weasel named Wilma, he'll embark on a daring and exciting journey to Santa's Fell: a place where dreams come true if you truly believe.

13:05 Happy Feet

(2006) Animation: Irish language version. Directed by George Miller: Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!

14:45 Marmaduke

A suburban family moves to a new neighbourhood with their large yet lovable Great Dane, who has a tendency to wreak havoc in his own oblivious way.

Director: Tom Dey Writers: Tim Rasmussen, Vince Di Meglio, Brad Anderson (comic), Phil Leeming (comic) Stars: Owen Wilson, Judy Greer, Lee Pace
00:40 The King of Comedy

(1982, Comedy) Starring Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis and Diahnne Abbott. Directed by Martin Scorsese. Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin wants to achieve success in show biz by stalking his idol, a late night talk-show host who craves his own privacy.

St. Stephen’s Day

9:45 The Gruffalo’s Child

The Gruffalo tells his daughter a story about the ‘big bad mouse’, she is intrigued so decides to sneak out of the cave and see the mouse for herself. Narrated in Irish.

14:55 Ceol ón Chlann

Muintir Keane: Ceol ón Chlann explores six musical families: the Keanes, the Blacks, the Ó Snodaighs, the McPeakes, the Pattersons and the Sands Family famous Irish families who have brought their music to the four corners of the world. This series gives an insight into the musical journey that each family has taken and the influence that previous generations have had on the rich heritage of each family. In this programme we’ll meet the Keane family from Caherlistrane in County Galway - Dolores and Seán Keane.

15:50 Riverdance Live from Beijing

It's been 20 years since Riverdance first tapped its way onto the world stage thrilling millions of people around the world. The show has been seen live by more than 22 million people across 40 countries over 4 continents - it was the first international show to tour China - this recording was filmed during a 12 city tour of China at the Beijing Exhibition Centre with lead dancers Padraig Moyles and Aislinn Ryan".

17:30 Rugbaí Beo

Live coverage of Connacht v Ulster from the Sportsground in the 10^th round of the PRO12. Presented by Maire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill.

20:05 Matt Cunningham - Rí na Seite

In this documentary Matt takes us into his family home in Headford Co. Galway where we get to know the husband and father in an intimate detail from his childhood and musical memories to the popular troubadour he is today. Talking candidly as he farms the land and then gets ready to head off to a gig, the audience will see the multifaceted man that he is. With contributions from broadcaster Kieran Hanrahan who has worked with Matt on numerous occasions over the years to Philomena Begley who shares a song and recounts with great fondness the times she played with Matt in Pontins in the UK.

21:10 Tithe na Tomatoes

In 1947 the Government began an experimental Glass House Scheme that quickly became known as The Tomato House Scheme. Beginning as a pilot, it was aimed at increasing the income of small landholders in Connemara and the Donegal Gaeltachtaí. 100 glass houses for tomato-growing were erected in Connemara and the same number in Donegal. Families were taught how to tend and grow these exotic plants and to harvest and market their fruit. All went well until 1961 when the devastating Hurricane Debbie struck and destroyed many of the glass houses.

21:40 An Klondike - An Scannán

A Feature length version of the popular series. An Klondike is a story that centres around the three Connolly brothers; Tom, Séamus and Pádraig. When we first meet them they are working in the silver mines of Montana where word reaches them of a greater prize that has been discovered far to the North - Gold.

In 1897 Gold was discovered in the wilds of Northern Alaska and immediately the stampede began. Over 100,000 adventurers, gamblers, con men and fortune-hunters struck out for the remote Klondike Valley gold fields. Amongst them were thousands of Irish emigrants like the Connolly brothers who undertook the dangerous journey to the heart of the Yuukon in search of gold and adventure
Klondike follows the Connolly brothers from Montana to Dominion, a town on which they will leave a permanent mark. Dominion is a town built on greed in a land that God, if he exists there has created in anger. The Connollys become embroiled in a deadly feud with Jacob Hopkins the man who runs Dominion. When Séamus Connolly shoots Jacob's son in a duel, Jacob vows revenge.
The Connollys become powerful figures in the Klondike themselves when their claim proves to be a goldmine but their new found wealth leads to a rift between the brothers. Tom Connolly is slowly corrupted by his lust for power and gold to the point that he turns his back on his own brothers. Jacob Hopkins uses this to his advantage to turn the Connollys against one another in the hope of wiping them all out for good.
23:40 Port

A six-part musical documentary series in which Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh take to the road for a journey exploring their roots. Julie and Muireann investigate the music and culture associated with particular cities and areas in Scotland and in Ireland. In this episode Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh explore their musical roots in Dublin. Singer Darren MacLean and piper Carole-Anne MacKay join our musical hosts for a tour of several iconic venues.

Sunday 27^th December

9:50 The Room on the Broom

The witch and her cat are flying happily but the witch keeps losing her belongings. Luckily, they are returned by the animals she meets, but is there room on the broom for all her new friends? Narrated in Irish.

14:55 Ceol ón Chlann

Muintir Mc Peake: Archive series about musical families in Ireland. We will hear from the McPeakes of Belfast, a musical family who travelled the world attracting many new listeners including Bob Dylan and John Lennon. Each story, narrated by Padraigín Ní Uallacháin, is presented through rare footage from the archives of the BBC, UTV and RTÉ, and previously unseen private family footage. Each programme contains exclusive interviews with family members.
15:40 Cúil na Bliana

Featuring all the best hurling and football goals of the year from all the major Gaelic Games competitions.

16:30 Rugbaí Beo

Live coverage of Munster v Leinster from Thomond Park in the 10^th round of the PRO12 – the biggest game of the club rugby season so far as the two provinces battle it out (Kick-off: 17:15). Presented by Maire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill.

19:15 Liam Clancy, Mo Chara

A moving insight and loving tribute to the great Liam Clancy based in beautiful Ring, Co. Waterford, the unspoilt and scenic Gaeltacht where he called home. The documentary includes never seen before interviews of Liam. We chat to his son Donal, his daughter Siobhan, Finbar Furey, Donnchadh Gough and other close friends who have great stories of their love and friendship for Liam. The documentary simply and beautifully gives a more personal view of the man behind the cap and sweater. It is an absolute must see for fans of the fantastic balladeer and musician.

20:15 I mBéal na Stoirme

Filmed over eight years, I mBéal na Stoirme follows John O’Brien, a small-scale fisherman from the island of Inis Bó Finne, as he embarks on a journey to save his community by navigating the corridors of Brussels and the intricacies of a reform of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy reform.

The film is evidence of the threats faced by small-scale fishermen and coastal communities throughout Europe today - the complexity of distant political decision-making and yet the impact of it on vulnerable communities. We accompany John, his family and friends, and see how they cope with the stresses of years of meetings, politicians promises, the anxiety of being away, but also gathering the support of island communities across Europe and from environmental NGOs.
We witness how John, and the community, come to the realisation that they are only a small piece of a much larger puzzle in which the growing reality of overfishing, environmental decline, and economic pressure all compete for solutions …
22:15 Port

In this episode, Julie Fowlis and Muireann NicAmhlaoibh travel to Glasgow. Accompanying Muireann from Ireland are renowned singer Eilis Kennedy and Edel Fox, one of the best concertina players around. Together with Julie and Muireann, they explore some of Glasgow’s folk music venues, including the Scotia bar and Uisge Beatha, the popular whisky bar, famed for music sessions. They discover a city flush with musical talent and musicians who call Glasgow home - Karen Matheson, Linda MacLeod and Ceitlin L.R. Smith – as well as playing with folk impresario and concertina wizard, Simon Thoumire.

Monday 28^th December
14:30 Ceol ón Chlann

Muintir Black: Archive series about musical families in Ireland. We will hear from the Black family and their musical history, history rooted in Dublin and Rathlin Island. Featuring Mary, Frances, Shay, Michael and Martin Black Each story, narrated by Padraigín Ní Uallacháin, is presented through rare footage from the archives of the BBC, UTV and RTÉ, and previously unseen private family footage. Each programme contains exclusive interviews with family members.
15:30 Rugbaí Súil Siar

Review programme looking back at the 2015 rugby year.

16:00 Cluichí na Bliana

Another chance to see Galway v Tipperary in this year’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final from Croke Park.

19:15 Féilte ó Londain

Caoimhe Ní Chonchoille brings music, song and story from Ireland's vibrant emigrant community in London, at The Crown in Cricklewood.

19:45 Tír Tairngire

Cromwell in the 17th century, we are told, banished many of the Gaels living in the eastern part of Ireland to Connacht. On the 10th of April 1934, a contingent of men from Connemara, cycled to Dublin and demanded of the then leader of the new state, Éamon de Valera, that they be given rich fertile land in Co. Meath, similar to that which they believed had been taken from their ancestors.

The following year, over 80 years ago, twenty seven families left Connemara to settle in their new promised land Ráth Cairn in Co. Meath. This programme tells the story of the small Ráth Cairn Gaeltacht.
20:45 Moya Brennan Ag Ceol

Internationally renowned singer and musician Moya Brennan joins family and friends to play for an invited audience in an Cultúrlann in Dublin. Joining Moya are her daughter Aisling Jarvis and harpist Cormac de Barra. Moya sings She Moved Through the Fair, An Crúiscín Lán, An Seanduine Dóite, Casadh mo Chroí, Seoithín Seó, The Lass of Aughrim, Mr. O’Connor, Show Me, The Pleasure Will be Mine and When the Morning Breaks.

21:30 Deoch an Dorais

Just how do you kill the Rasputin of the Bronx? Mike Malloy was an Irish emigrant from Donegal who fell on hard times in New York City during the Depression era in the early 1930s. He hit the bottle. Down on his luck and with no fixed abode, he became the victim of an insurance scam - 4 reprobates took out a life insurance policy on him. Then they tried to kill him to collect the insurance money.... but he just wouldn't die.

Twenty attempts were made on his life: they tried to feed him alcohol, oysters dipped in formaldehyde, horse liniment, and even rat poison but his extra-ordinary metabolism resisted all their efforts. They even resorted to running him over in a taxi, but he showed up some days later looking for a drink. Eventually the murder did succeed in felling durable Mike but it was not long before they got their own come-uppance.
Now a Donegal hard man with a similar surname but of a different generation goes in search of the legend. Anthony Molloy captained the Donegal football team to that county’s first ever All-Ireland Senior Football victory in 1992. He was no shrinking violet on the football pitch and considered himself the toughest Molloy on the planet. In this programme he journeys to the Bronx in search of the most durable Irish emigrant the city was ever to see.
His journey brings him from the Bronx County Courthouse to the watering holes of the Bowery, from the Lower East Side to Sing Sing Prison and he uncovers a tale of greed, murder and retribution from prohibition era New York.

Using dramatic reconstructions and often-hilarious interviews with experts in the field, the story of the Rasputin of the Bronx is told here for the very first time in all its glorious, gobsmacking and gory details.

This production was supported by the BAI Sound and Vision scheme. Produced by Magamedia Teo.
00:25 Port

Muireann NicAmhlaoibh and Julie Fowlis present a musical documentary, which explores the shared musical heritage of the friends and collaborators. The duo visit the town of Milltown Malbay, during the world-famous Willie Clancy festival. Accompanying Julie and Muireann are two Scottish musicians - multi-instrumentalist Allan Henderson and revered piper, Allan MacDonald. They discover that Milltown Malbay is brimful of musical talent during Willie Clancy week and the foursome meet Paddy Glackin, Roisin White and the Friel Sisters for conversation and some lively musical sessions.

Tuesday 29^th December

15:10 Ceol ón Chlann

Muintir Patterson: Archive series about musical families in Ireland. We will hear from the Patterson family from Letterkenny in Donegal, who found fame in the sixties and seventies but later abandoned the music scene in favour of family responsibilities. Each story, narrated by Padraigín Ní Uallacháin, is presented through rare footage from the archives of the BBC, UTV and RTÉ, and previously unseen private family footage. Each programme contains exclusive interviews with family members
15:45 GAA 2015 na Scéalta

All the stories, action, highlights and news from the GAA during the past year.

16:15 Cluichí na Bliana

Another chance to see Kerry v Cork in this year’s drawn Munster Football Final from Fitzgerald Stadium. A last minute Fionn Fitzgerald point rescued a draw for Kerry against Cork in a pulsating Munster senior football final with the teams finishing level after a five-goal thriller.

19:15 Súil Siar Corn Uí Riada

We take a look back at the sean-nós style singing competition, from Oireachtas 2015, where talented singers compete with each other to win the acclaimed prize 'Corn Uí Riada'.

20:15 Rúbaí

Rúbaí is an Irish language comedy set in present day Ireland which tells the story of Rúbaí's impending first Holy Communion and her refusal to take part.

Rúbaí is an independent and spirited child, wise beyond her eight years and she is definitely not the typical Irish girl. Her point of view is just different to everyone else's. As opposed to playing with dolls and dresses she would rather be out satisfying her vast curiosity. Inquisitive is an understatement for this girl!
Rúbaí is told by her teacher that the First Holy Communion, a bastion of Irish tradition and culture, is fast approaching and Rúbaí flatly refuses to be a part of the classroom preparation. She's an atheist and proud of it and whilst she is happy to stand by her convictions the wider society has a problem with such an independent girl and her crazy ideas. She then proceeds to butt heads with her mother, her teacher and even the parish priest in her attempts to stay true to her beliefs and not partake in the first communion but can she weather their relentless persecution? Or will she give in and sacrifice herself for everyone's else's happiness?
Rúbaí wants to stay true to who she is but faces emotional blackmail, religious and philosophical debate and out and out intolerance in today's supposedly diverse and modern Ireland.
20:30 Ros na Rún

Peigí takes drastic measures to prevent Eoin from sending her packing to Athlone. Katy anxiously awaits her cancer gene test results. She reveals the truth about Noreen's affair to Deirdre and urges her to stop holding a grudge against John Joe. Will she listen to Katy and forgive her father? David is shocked to learn about the newborn baby abandoned on Peadar and Máire's doorstep on Christmas Eve, He wants them to contact Social Services immediately. But Peadar is adamant that they were chosen to care for this poor little baby for a reason but will Social Services share Peadar's empathy?

21:00 Cogar: Triúr a Bádh

Documentary on Robert O'Flaherty's pioneering and compelling film, Man of Aran. But his time in Inis Mór also resulted in the creation of Oíche Sheanchais. Naturally, the film was of great interest to the islanders, but it was of particular interest to Máire Uí Nuanáin. Seeing Seáinín Tom Ó Direáin on screen brought back fond memories of the nights he spent telling stories to Máire and her family. It also brought back memories of the tragic fate that was to befall Seáinín Tom. He drowned at sea with his two friends Jamesy Ó Flaithearta and Seosamh Ó Flanagáin (Máire's Father) in July 1939.

21:30 Suas

For almost six months during the early noughties, the small Cork village of Ringaskiddy found itself the subject of news reports from all over the world and the centre of a bidding war between two major Hollywood studios. The reason Ringaskiddy was suddenly thrust into the international spotlight was a matter of size and endurance and whether the local male population had experienced an increase in both. What prompted these impertinent questions was the claim that fumes from a nearby Viagra factory had turned its residents into red-hot lovers. The locals had been inhaling the Viagra dust and now, love was most definitely in the air. This documentary looks at the months of madness when things started to pick up for the men of Ringaskiddy.

22:15 The Man who saved the World: Fíorscéal

When one night the Soviet alarms went off alerting military that US missiles were approaching, one man saved the world from a nuclear holocaust.

The film tells the amazing story of Lt. Colonel Stanislav E. Petrov, formerly of the Soviet Army, a man who held the fate of the world in his hands for a few crucial minutes in history. When an alarm went off indicating that five American nuclear missiles had been launched against the Soviet Union, he followed his gut feeling and went against orders, convincing the armed forces that the threat was a false alarm, hereby saving the world from a nuclear war. Two decades later, the forgotten hero goes on a spectacular journey to the United States, where he is finally acknowledged for his historical deed – and he gets to meet the Americans who were once his mortal enemies.
The Man Who Saved the World is an epic tale. Focusing on a man who, by sheer coincidence, was put to the ultimate test when he had to make a decision that could have changed our world forever, a successful Lt. Colonel who had been chosen especially to handle a test just like that. As Stanislav Petrov himself puts it, “No sane man would ever be able to make such a tremendous decision to decide if we should destroy our planet”.