“Mahon’s Way” in beautiful Lough Beg in next episode of brand new series

Joe Mahon visits beautiful Lough Beg in the second episode of brand new UTV series “Mahon’s Way”.
Joe gets an explanation from David Jewson about what diatomites are made ofJoe gets an explanation from David Jewson about what diatomites are made of
Joe gets an explanation from David Jewson about what diatomites are made of

The series, which sees Joe travel the highways and byways of Northern Ireland started last Monday with a visit to Glendun, in the Glens of Antrim.

In this week’s episode Joe Mahon meets with scientist David Jewson on the banks of the Lower Bann to discover some of the fascinating properties of the diatomite which was deposited here in vast quantities by flood waters over thousands of years. When the level of Lough Neagh was reduced in the 20th century, the various drainage schemes uncovered, not only the diatomite, but also a wealth of evidence of Mesolithic habitation which made the Lower Bann a magnet for the world’s archaeologists.

Local people caught the archaeological bug and Colm Scullion from Ballyscullion displays some of his own finds, and then regales Joe with some of the lore of the land, including stories of poteen-makers and boat chases. Joe also learns of the link that ties Mussenden Temple at Downhill with the steeple on Church Island, and the real reason why the steeple is bent.

The original factory where diatomite was dried on the Lower Bann.The original factory where diatomite was dried on the Lower Bann.
The original factory where diatomite was dried on the Lower Bann.

“Mahon’s Way” is as much about Mahon’s way, his style of presentation if you like, as it is about the travels he undertakes - down-to-earth and humorous, yet well-informed and erudite, always with an eye for the quirky, the unusual and the eccentric. Whether we’re talking about “Lesser Spotted Ulster” or “Lough Foyle” or “Ulster Giants” one of the hallmarks of that style, constantly commented upon in audience feedback, is the relaxed and natural tone of Mahon’s interaction with contributors.

That spontaneous “natural feel”, the humorous tone and the abundance of “craic”, often tend to disguise the fact that these are programmes of real substance, with a serious approach to local history and heritage based on proper field research and considerable scholarship.

“Yes, I’m beginning to get the hang of it,” jokes Joe, “so I’ve finally relented and decided to call it “Mahon’s Way”, with a respectful nod to the memory of my old friend and mentor, the late Olly McGilloway. The new title means that we’re not confined geographically, so you could find us popping up well-nigh anywhere in the country, - from the lakes of Fermanagh to the Glens of Antrim, from the shores of Lough Beg to the coast of County Down, and even as far away as the Belfast Hills!”

Mahon’s Way is produced by Westway Film Productions for UTV and is sponsored by ‘Mid & East Antrim – A Place Shaped by Sea & Stone.’

You can watch this episode on Monday 12th July at 8pm on UTV and on catch up on www.itv.com/utvprogrammes .

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