Keepers of the Lough TV series to show people and life around shoreline

Keepers of the Lough TV series to show people and life around shoreline

29 March 2023

A NEW series of Keepers of the Lough, which is set on and around Strangford Lough, began on UTV last night.

Renowned internationally for its sheer beauty with its marine and nature reserves, Strangford Lough is also a working lough and its shores are surrounded by people who not only look after and keep it, but also depend on it for a living.

Narrated again by Patrick Kielty, this new six-part series tells us more about what life is like in and around the lough. 

Along the way, the viewer will see some old faces from the first series and meet some new characters, as they go about their business all the while protecting and preserving this area of outstanding natural beauty.

In last night’s opening episode viewers followed a tour of the medieval sights around the lough with participants going from site to site by kayak. 

The programme also returns to Castle Espie wetland centre, near Comber. New to the series are best friends Mary O’Neill and Isobel Mason, from Portaferry, where Mary still runs a hairdressing business. 

John Scott, from Killyleagh, makes a welcome return to this series. He has been working at Ringhaddy boatyard since the early 1970s when he helped his father as a teenager.

Further in the series, viewers will get to see the work of the National Trust and meet more local people who use the lough for work and play. 

UTV Programmes Editor Tony Curry said: “Keepers of the Lough went down so well with viewers in 2021 that we just had to commission another series.

“The area is so rich with natural beauty and characters who live and work there, we simply had to explore further. There is something for everyone in these six new episodes and we are delighted to be bringing this one corner of Northern Ireland into people’s homes.”

Keepers of the Lough continues on UTV every Tuesday at 8pm until May 2.