BBC new Tide show in Strangford Lough

BBC new Tide show in Strangford Lough

29 May 2019

STRANGFORD Lough is featured in a new BBC series which explores one of the most powerful forces on earth — the tide. 

Tide, which starts on BBC2 Northern Ireland this Sunday, will take viewers on an epic journey across four continents. 

The programme looks at the world’s strongest and highest tides, raging whirlpools and the world’s oldest tide mill — dating from 787 AD — which was discovered at Mahee Island on Strangford Lough. 

Throughout this three-part series, oceanographers, scientists and surfers share their own unique experiences and examine the impact the tide has on coastal areas. 

During autumn more than 75 per cent of the world’s population of light-bellied Brent geese make the long journey from Canada to Strangford Lough. 

Dr Alex Portig and bird watcher Graham McElwaine explain why Brent geese make this journey across the Atlantic Ocean and how their movements are influenced by the tide. 

Dr Portig says: “I grew up on the lough and I have been used to seeing Brent geese all my life.

“It is lovely to see every autumn, geese arriving, feeding and chatting away to each other. It is definitely an iconic part of the lough.”

In the late 1990s, maritime archaeologist Thomas McErlean and a team from Ulster University stumbled upon the world’s earliest known tide mill during an excavation at Strangford Lough. 

Discovered close to the remains of Nendrum Monastery on Mahee Island, Thomas recalls the significance of unearthing this medieval tide mill. 

Thomas says: “This was a site we got so excited about, we knew we were changing the course of Irish archaeology and indeed… industrial archaeology. We were breaking new ground and it was absolutely wonderful.”

In recent times, Strangford Lough has become an important site for tidal energy research and in 2008 the world’s first commercial tidal turbine was built near Portaferry. 

The turbine is now being decommissioned and local marine expert Simon Rogers, who is working on the removal, reveals the impact the tide has on operations.   

Tide is a co-production made for BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Alba, S4C, TG4 and Sky Vision.