Final series of Mahon’s Way will celebrate Ulster’s American connections

Funded by the Northern Ireland Screen Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund (USBF), presenter Joe Mahon will, once again, take to the highways and byways of Ulster exploring its extraordinary variety of landscapes, heritage and history.

And, across 10 culturally significant episodes, Joe will uncover an array of local places and people connected with the 250th anniversary of US Independence.

“This time around we had a particular focus, which was to seek out stories that mark the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the American Declaration of Independence, and our producers and researchers have certainly provided us with a wealth of material,” explains Joe.

“It really is an eye-opener when you examine the sheer number, of Ulster-Scots emigrants in particular, who left this relatively tiny place in the 18th and 19th centuries, and would go on to play such key roles in the War of Independence and the founding of the fledgling United States of America.”

Well-known people like John Dunlap from Strabane who first printed the Declaration, and Charles Thomson from Maghera who was Secretary to the Continental Congress are celebrated alongside Francis Alison from East Donegal who brought the teaching of the Scottish Enlightenment across the Atlantic, the three Mease brothers from Strabane who all played significant roles in the Revolutionary War, and the Reverend William King from the Limavady area who founded the first settlement for freed slaves in Buxton, Ontario.

As well as these North American connections, Mahon’s Way will also feature stories about the environment, unique landscapes, local histories, livelihoods and lifestyles. And, of course, there’s always room for the usual banter and craic from some of the best yarn-spinners around.

“I’ve had a very long, very happy and productive association with UTV which began when I was a producer on McGilloway’s Way more than 30 years ago,” says Joe.

“I then formed Westway Film Productions in 1996, and we went on to produce hundreds of programmes over the next two decades in the Lesser Spotted Ulster series. In more recent years, adopting a slightly more focused historical approach, supported by the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, we have been producing Mahon’s Way, with the last of that series about to begin.

“All these series, I’m delighted to say, seem to have struck a chord with changing generations of viewers, but all good things must come to an end at some stage, and this feels like the right time to move on to something different. We’ve built up a massive archive of recorded material over all that time, and I’d like to think it would be a worthwhile exercise spending some time organising it all and making it available for posterity.”

Simon Clemison, head of news and programmes at UTV said: “Once again our viewers can enjoy Joe's unique talent for telling stories about people and places across Northern Ireland in Mahon's Way.

“UTV’s relationship with Joe goes back more than three decades and over the years he has presented some of our most engaging and popular content. It has been a privilege to work with Joe and Westway Films over many series, and we extend our deepest gratitude to all of the team.”

USBF manager Heidi McAlpin said: “Joe Mahon and his team have produced many programmes for UTV with support from the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.

“This sixth series of Mahon’s Way has encapsulated the story of the early Ulster-Scots migration to the New World in their usual meticulous and through-provoking style.

“As this marks the end of Mahon’s Way, I can think of no better way to bow out than with this specially themed series. Joe has left a legacy of programming, from Lesser Spotted Ulster, through to Lough Foyle, also funded by the USBF, and six series of Mahon’s Way that will be enjoyed for many more generations to come. His unique ability to capture authentic stories and voices is unsurpassed.”

Mahon’s Way returns to UTV on Wednesday 30th September at 7.30pm. The series will also be available to watch on ITVX.