TV | Joe meets County Antrim story tellers in the next UTV’s Mahon’s Way

Story teller Liz Weir, Eric and Joe Mahon at Glenballyeamon Barn

Joe Mahon goes off the beaten track, and heads deep into the Glens of Antrim to meet two local story tellers in the next episode of the popular UTV series, Mahon’s Way.

Joe kicked off this series in Glendun way back in July and as the series draws to a close, he returns to the Glens of Antrim for to find out more about the area and local folklore.

Joe starts off on the eastern slopes of Tievebulliagh where he finds a 6,000 years old ‘factory’ with a difference! He then heads over the other side to Glenballyeamon to the home of renowned storyteller Liz Weir, who regales Joe with how she came to be in this part of the world, and how she has developed her storytelling craft over the past 30 years.

We find out about her barn, the Yarn Spinners, Bunk House Hostels and how she turned Covid and isolation into an opportunity to tell her stories the world over!

Joe Mahon at Loughareema

In part two of the programme, Joe is in awe of Loughareema, the Vanishing Lake, and with the help of another local storyteller Kevin McGowan, finds out just some of the myths and legends surrounding it, as well stories of local tragedies that have been passed down through the ages.

Joe Mahon at Loughareema

Kevin describes it as a sometimes ‘spooky place’.

Joe meets Kevin above Cushendall, or ‘Costa del Dall’ as Kevin jokingly refers to it!

He explains to Joe where his interest in storytelling came from and how he has great sources as most of the Glensfolk have storytelling traditions. He now operates tours of the area, commenting to Joe, “Once I started talking Joe, they couldn’t stop me!”

Kevin McGowan and Joe above Cushendall

Mahon’s Way is produced by Westway Film Productions for UTV and is sponsored by ‘Mid & East Antrim – A Place Shaped by Sea & Stone.’

You can watch this episode on Monday 22 November at 8pm on UTV and on catch up on www.itv.com/utvprogrammes