*A kite surfer in Lahinch. Photograph: Brian Arthur

Lahinch is the focus of a RTÉ TWO documentary which airs tonight (Tuesday).

In what is the Irish TV premiere of Between Land and Sea, viewers get to follow a year in the life of a surf town at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean.

Ross Whitaker’s film delves into the day to day goings on of the surfing community in Lahinch creating a real portrait of their lives on and away from the waves.

Previously shown in a selection of theatres around Ireland, Between Land and Sea has been called “brilliant” by The Irish Times with TheJournal.ie declaring it to be “dramatic and thrilling”.

BETWEEN LAND AND SEA – TRAILER from True Films on Vimeo.

Whitaker had never visited Lahinch until January 2015 when he began the film. Speaking previously about his first few hours in the popular seaside town, he commented, “On that day in January 2015, it’s raining so hard that I can’t see my own hand outstretched in front of my face. There’s hardly a soul to be seen in Lahinch and I’m wondering how the hell I’m going to make the documentary that I’ve been hired to make. I don’t know any surfers, and I’ve never been to Lahinch before.

“A massive storm is hitting the west coast and the position of Lahinch makes it particularly susceptible to damage. A year earlier, in 2014, the town was almost wiped out and now they’ve built reinforcements. I stop off in a car park above the town to try to get shots of the storm. I have to try to film something, after all. Within a few minutes, a van pulls up beside me. I knock on the window and hop into the passenger seat. Within ten minutes, I have my first interview for the film,” the man who has directed documentaries on Katie Taylor, Anthony Foley and Muhammad Ali’s visit to Ireland added.

Between Land and Sea airs at 22:15 on RTÉ TWO,

Related News

01052025_Council_Cliffs_of_Moher_0059
Rita represented West Clare 'with integrity & dignity' during term as Cathaoirleach
natasha o'brien 1
'I'd rather be difficult than be silent' - Natasha determined to speak out
Shannon Airport (2)
'National Development Plan a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance regional development' - Shannon Airport Group
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare

Advertisement

Latest News
Shannon Airport (2)
'National Development Plan a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance regional development' - Shannon Airport Group
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 tommy kennedy ian o'brien ger o'connell 1
All-Ireland final defeat won't overshadow year for Clare minors
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare
jarlath burns 1-2
GAA President Burns to maintain Scariff Harbour Festival's links with Northern Ireland & GAA
michael mcnamara 3
AI offers generational opportunity for Mid-West to become Ireland's digital home - McNamara
Premium
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare
1 DSC_9466
'There's no way we're not going to go again' - O'Donnell says no decisions made but exits from Clare camp unlikely
brendan o'mara
Two Gardaí working full-time on case of €10m drug seizure involving Meelick ex Ryanair pilot
charge sheet 1
Ennistymon farmer tears up charge sheet in front of Garda where he is accused of year long harassment of neighbour
monaghan v clare 29-06-25 roisin considine jennifer duffy 1
Monaghan make their mark & send Clare out of ladies football championship

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement