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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Sophie McLaughlin

Keepers of the Lough: UTV series following life near Strangford returns

A new series of ‘Keepers of the Lough’ is coming back to our screens this year.

Set in Strangford Lough, the first series took the viewer on a beautiful voyage of discovery around this enchanting part of the Northern Irish countryside, learning about its people and its habitat.

Renowned internationally for its sheer beauty with its marine and nature reserves, it 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.

Read more: Blue Lights creators say making show based on NI was "toughest challenge" yet

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 the first episode, follow a tour of the mediaeval sights around the lough with participants going from site to site by kayak.

New to the series are best friends Mary O'Neill and Isobel Mason, who both live on Ferry St in Portaferry, where Mary still runs a hairdressing business.

John Scott and Jim Lindsay (UTV)

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. He’s an expert in the yard, painstakingly manoeuvring a yacht for launch for his longtime friend Jim Lindsay, and takes everything in his stride when the unexpected happens.

Viewers will get to see the work of the National Trust in the area and at Exploris, as well as 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 peoples’ homes.”

‘Keepers of the Lough’ is produced by Co Down-based independent production company Green Inc. Bob O'Brien produced, shot and directed the series. Stephen Stewart is Executive Producer for Green Inc.

You can watch the first episode on Tuesday, March 28 at 8pm on UTV and on catch up

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