Over the weekend of February 14th & 15th, TG4’s popular drama series Ros na Rún celebrated its 30th season of filming with a wrap lunch at the Connemara Coast Hotel on the shores of Galway Bay on the Wild Atlantic Way. Discover more below...
Actors, writers, crew and producers came together to mark the completion and “wrap” of another hugely successful season of filming 82 dramatic episodes of Ireland’s only rural based TV drama series, Ros na Rún. The burning question remains for all, “Will Tadhg Ó Direáin go down for Risteard’s murder?”
Fresh from the Ros na Rún TV set in the Connemara Gaeltacht coastal village of an Spidéal for lunch were all 5 original cast members from the first broadcast episode in November 1996. Macdara O Fatharta who plays Tadhg O’Díreáin, currently accused of Ristéard’s murder, joined fellow actors Máire Éilís Ní Fhlatharta ( Caitríona Ní Loideáin) Fionnuala Ní Fhlatharta ( Bernie Ní Neachtain) Máire Pheter Uí Droighneáin ( Máire Uí Chonghaile) and Josie Ó Chualáin (Micheál Seoige). Each were honoured with a Galway Chrystal award for the success of their characters over 30 seasons. Also honoured with a Galway Chrystal award for 30 seasons of Ros na Rún was Blanáid Ní Nuanáin Head of Wardrobe who’s dressed all Ros na Rún actors and characters since its first rehearsal in 1996.
It has been a stressful season for residents of the fictional Gaeltacht Village Ros na Rún with a new Inspector Detective Ken Flynn arriving and making his presence severely felt in his mission to solve the murder of Risteard. Played by Kerry born actor Dick Walsh, he’s thoroughly enjoyed his first TV acting appearance as is new comer and Tipperary born Danny Gleeson who’s playing the dark and deceitful role of Dean, Risteard’s son. Other new faces in this milestone 30th season of Ros na Rún include Galway’s Seán Ó Maoilchiarán who plays Cillian and local GP, Beibhinn played by Ciara Ní É.
Stalwarts Pádraig Breathnach, and his character Sonny Dirrane has had a rather tumultuous season alongside fellow actor Carmel Stephens, his gold digging finance Cora. While Sonny’s on screen children have had a nerve-wracking season with the secrets behind Risteárd’s last moments before his fatal murder and the stress of seeing Cora take advantage of their father. Actors Domhnall O Braoináin ( Cam), Emma Costello ( Natasha) and Róisín Ní Mhaoláin ( Olivia) have certainly kept viewers engaged. Also in the midst of the murder investigation are characters Vince played by Paul Fred Mc Cluskey, Mó (Marie Bheag Breathnach) Michelle (Gráinne Bleasdale) and Laura Heeney (Penny Fallon) all of whom are potential suspects in the murder. A level of paranoia exists amongst their on screen characters and stories and the wrap lunch of season 30 allows them to leave all such traits in the edit suites of the Ros na Rún TV Studio.
While a serious murder investigation is gripping Ros na Rún, love, romance, conscience and honesty continue to strive with David played by Kerry’s Seán Mistéal and Laoise’s (Seosaimhín O’ Shuilleabháin) broken heart which are in parallel to Réailtín’s ( Hazel Ó Chualáin) disgust for her step mother. The Donegal contingent continue to live through the daily trials and tribulations of life while Johnjoe (Niall Mac Earmharcaigh) pulls heart strings with Nóirín (Máire Uí Rabhartaigh) who’s getting somewhat tired of being passed over for life’s big wins and joy. What’s in store for her?
At the half way point of the season 30 broadcast, life is all left to play for in Ros na Rún and viewers are asked to stay tuned for many more twists, turns, battles and lies in the murder investigation of Risteárd. While on the other hand the ebb and flow of life and flutter of love and romance continue across the village along with conscience of family and parenthood, as has been exposed by Mack (Paul Griffin), Mó (Marie Bheag Breathnach) and David ( Seán Mistéal). Stay tuned to the depth of Irish and Gaeltacht rural life drama with Ros na Rún and TG4 and follow all episodes on the TG4 and RTE players with all the latest news and stories across all social media channels.
Over 30 successful season’s Ros na Rún, along with a superb line of talented actors and accomplished crew, has also welcomed many big names to its purpose built TV Production set in An Spidéal on Connemara’s Wild Atlantic Way coastline including Conan O’Brien, Stephen Fry, Francis Brennan, Daniel O’Donnell, Nathan Carter and the Hot House Flowers, Fiachna O Braonáin, Páraic Breathnach and most recently Denis Conway.
Ros na Rún films 82 episodes over 26 weeks and has a strategic ethos of developing talent whether in acting, camera, sound, editing, production or writing and has extensive training opportunities on set for all, via Gréasán na Meáin.
Sponsored by XL Ireland, Ros na Rún is broadcast twice weekly up to Thursday 25th June 2026 on TG4 on Tuesday and Thursday at 8.30pm with an omnibus on Sunday at 8.30pm and it can also be found on the TG4 player and the RTE Player. There is a weekly digital drop on Monday and Wednesday evenings to the TG4 player.
For all the latest stories on Ros na Rún, please follow social media channels, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok or log onto rosnarun.com.
All photos by Martina Regan.
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