WHAT ARE THE small things about Christmas that you love?
It could be the leftover biscuit tins that last you until mid-January. Maybe it’s a walk wearing a new present gifted to you by a loved one. Or maybe it’s a chance to plonk yourself down in front of the television watching familiar favourites and brand-new programmes.
For those who fit into that category, TG4’s Christmas schedule is out, and like every year, it’s filled to the brim with great television and movies. Combining its own productions with some classic films, such as Singin’ in the Rain and Annie, there’s lots for the whole family to enjoy.
For the big day itself, TG4 is back-to-back with must-watch shows. A brand new documentary, Grace Kelly – Banphríonsa Mhaigh Eo, will be shown on Christmas Day at 9.30pm. The documentary takes a look at the life and career of the actress and Princess, featuring exclusive interviews with her son, Prince Albert II, and extremely rare footage from her private archive.
Movie fans will love the TV premiere of the award-winning Róise & Frank, a film from the Cine4 scheme starring Bríd Ní Neachtain. Bríd won the actress in a lead role IFTA 2023 for her performance. Playing a widow who gave up on life after the death of her hurling-mad husband, she becomes convinced to hold onto life by believing a stray dog is the reincarnation deceased husband (Christmas Day 8pm).
Earlier in the day, movies as Gaeilge for younger viewers will be shown on TG4 and on the children’s channel Cúla4 simultaneously including Smurfs: The Lost Village (Christmas Day 8am) and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Christmas Day 2pm)
For music lovers, there’s plenty to enjoy with a boatload of interesting documentaries and live performances.
Tom Munnelly- Fear na n-amhrán, a documentary about the instrumental folk song collector will feature music from Christy Moore, Sinéad O’Connor, Thomas McCarthy, Lisa Lambe and Lankum, and is a must-watch on Christmas Eve at 8.15pm.
Gael Linn ag 70 is a commemorative programme of music and song to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Gael-Linn, the famous group promoting the use of the Irish language (St. Stephen’s Day 8pm).
Mise Éire, a rare broadcast of George Morrison’s acclaimed documentary film as seen through contemporary newsreel footage is worth checking out and will be shown on St. Stephen’s Day 9pm.
For a more cinematic experience, Fánaíocht (23/12 9pm) is a celebration of music and its nomadic essence, exploring the musical migrations that define its evolution through time and geography. Ó Bhéal will help you explore the intersection of Irish hip-hop and electronic music with insights from musicians drawing on folklore and Sean-nós singing on January 2.
For those more interested in live performances, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live!, a musical performance by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga live in New York City in 2014 will capture your imagination on December 27.
David Bowie: The Last 5 Years (28/12) follows Bowie through the last five years of his life, and will be followed by a David Bowie concert from 2004, recorded live at the Point Depot in Dublin.
Lastly, fans of the King will enjoy Elvis: ’68 Comeback Special, Elvis Presley’s iconic comeback tour in 1968 (1/1/24 8.30pm).
If it’s fascinating documentaries you’re after this Christmas, TG4 has you covered. In Paddy na Meachain, we meet the remarkable Paddy Finnerty, whose dedication to preserving the Native Irish Black bee population has become the focus of his life. Prepare to be inspired by Paddy’s extraordinary story, filled with moments of laughter, introspection, and love for the environment (30/12 9.20pm).
Elsewhere, Inis Meáin Idir Dhá Linn showcases the work of photographer Chris Rodmell, who documented Inis Meáin 50 years ago. This captivating documentary transports viewers to a remote island, offering a poetic glimpse into its past, present, and future (28/12 9.20pm).
Sporting events have kept us enthralled for the past twelve months and over Christmas you have another chance to see some of these major events like both hurling and football All-Ireland finals. The 30 best hurling & football goals of the year in 2023 as voted by the public will also be broadcast over the festive period (GAA Cúil na Bliana 2023 on TG4 on the 24 of December @ 4.30pm). TG4 is also showing live rugby action with an interprovincial battle between Connacht and Munster (2.30pm) on New Year’s Day.
Other programming over Christmas includes the always volatile Ros na Rún, where Christmas secrets will be revealed. Steip na nÓg 2023 – Súil Siar – will show the main individual Sean-Nós dancing competitions in the youth category from Oireachtas na Samhna 2023 (1/1/24). For a trip down memory lane, check out Fadó Fadó (10pm) on New Year’s Day and go on a nostalgic journey through 60 years of the funniest and most entertaining Irish television adverts.
For New Year’s Eve, tributes will be paid to the late Rónán Mac Aodh Bhuí in An Cabaret Craiceáilte (10pm) – a programme celebrating the 25th anniversary of the revolutionary Irish language event, An Cabaret Craiceáilte. To ring in the New Year, join Dáithí Ó Sé and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, along with a host of amazing performers in different locations around the country as we welcome the new year in Fáilte 2024 at 11.30pm.
If you’d rather binge watch a series this Christmas, the TG4 Player is the perfect place to do that. Available on the platform is Northern Lights, a 6-part series that tells the story of two grieving strangers whose worlds collide on a rainy night in Dublin.
There’s also Dry Water, which begins with the discovery of Paulo Duarte body, dead from a gunshot wound in the port of Vigo. Nobody is convinced by the apparent suicide; neither his bosses nor the police nor his sister, Teresa.
Also available on TG4 Player is Cine4, an initiative from a TG4, IFB and BAI partnership to develop original feature films in the Irish language. Among the films that are now available on the TG4 Player are Finky, Arracht and Foscadh.
Speaking of great kids’ TV, the recently-launched Cúla4 has an abundance of programmes and movies to bring Christmas cheer. Spread throughout the Christmas period, shows include animated classics like Spongebob Squarepants and original Cúla4 shows.
This includes Teach Spraoi, a show where a group of friends have the chance to design and build their own playhouse with the help of the Teach Spraoi team – Máire & John. Watch as these kids turn their dream hang-out space into a reality on January 3 at 12.35pm.
Cúla4 will also be bringing the stories of renowned children’s writer Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) to life through animation every Friday in December. Stories include The Snail & the Whale, Superworm, The Highway Rat and Room on the Broom, all sure to delight younger viewers.
Children’s movies as Gaeilge include the aforementioned Smurfs: The Lost Village and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, as well as a wide spread of other films to enjoy. Louis & Luca and the Snow Machine (23/12 8am), Nollaig an Yeití (Christmas Eve 7pm), The Boss Baby (St. Stephen’s Day 5pm), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1/1/24 5.30pm), Frozen in Time (28/12 8am), Cleo (29/12 3pm), Miraculous: Shang-hai, Finscéal an Dragain (30/12 4pm), Curious George, Moncaí Ríoga (New Year’s Eve 6.25pm), My Little Pony (New Year’s Day 8am), and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1/1/24 5.30pm) will keep the little ones entertained.
Cúla4 airs for 14 hours daily, from 6am every morning until 8pm every evening.
That wraps up the amazing TG4 and Cúla4 schedules this Christmas. Covering all bases, from sports to documentaries, all that’s left to do is cosy up and enjoy some wonderful TV.
Nollaig Shona a chairde!
Enjoy the best programming this Christmas on TG4.
TG4 Player is available worldwide here.
Learn more about films on TG4 this Christmas here.
Cúla4 is available on:
Saorview – channel 18
Virgin Media – channel 602
Sky – channel 624
Sky in the North of Ireland – channel 627
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