From Belfast to Narnia: RTÉ documentary uncovers the Irish roots of C.S. Lewis
Thursday 08 October 2026
The Belfast childhood of one of the world's most celebrated authors, C.S. Lewis, will take centre stage in a new RTÉ documentary tonight (Thursday 8 October), exploring how his Irish upbringing helped shape the imagination behind The Chronicles of Narnia.
Former Ireland rugby international Andrew Trimble, who is also a theology graduate, presents The Lion, The Witch and the Ulsterman, tracing the writer's roots in East Belfast and examining why Lewis is not more widely recognised as an Irish author.
The one-off programme, airing on RTÉ One at 10.15pm, reveals how Lewis's early experiences, family life and deep attachment to Belfast continued to influence his writing long after he left Northern Ireland.
The Belfast childhood behind Narnia
The Lewis family
Born in Belfast, Lewis would go on to become one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, creating the fantasy world of Narnia that has captivated generations of children and adults.
In the documentary, Trimble visits the Lewis family home in East Belfast, uncovering how childhood trauma and his enforced departure from the city he loved left a lasting mark on his life.
The programme explores how those formative experiences became woven into Lewis's imagination, influencing the themes and stories that would eventually find expression in The Chronicles of Narnia.
It also examines his Ulster-Scots heritage and the importance of his Irish identity, challenging the tendency to associate the celebrated author primarily with England, where he spent much of his adult life.
Andrew Trimble discovers a personal connection
Andrew pictured at C. S. Lewis Square in Belfast
For Trimble, himself a Belfast man and father, exploring the author's life became a particularly meaningful experience.
Speaking about the documentary, he said:
"C.S. Lewis is one of those rare writers whose work continues to resonate across generations. As a father, I've seen first-hand the joy that The Chronicles of Narnia brings to my own children, and that made this documentary particularly special for me.
"What surprised me most was the depth of Lewis's connection to Belfast and the lasting influence the city had on his life and imagination. As a fellow Belfast man, I was proud to explore his remarkable story and shine a light on the Irish roots of a writer whose work has inspired millions around the world."
From Belfast to Oxford and the BBC
The documentary follows Trimble beyond Northern Ireland to Oxford, where Lewis spent much of his life establishing a distinguished academic career.
It examines how Lewis became a prominent public voice through his BBC radio talks, which brought his ideas to audiences far beyond the university and marked his first major step into wider public life.
Contributors offering historical and literary perspectives include historian Dr Margaret O'Callaghan, Belfast writer Jan Carson, historian and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, and Lewis scholars Dr Frank Ferguson, Rev Dr Reggie Weems and Dr David Clare.
Drawing on extracts from The Chronicles of Narnia and Lewis's autobiography, Surprised by Joy, the programme explores how memories of Ireland continued to influence his understanding of the world, his imagination and his writing.
When and where to watch
The Lion, The Witch and the Ulsterman will be broadcast tonight, Thursday 8 October, at 10.15pm on RTÉ One and will also be available on RTÉ Player.
The documentary has been funded by the Northern Ireland Screen Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.
For audiences who grew up with the adventures of Aslan, the Pevensie children and the magical world beyond the wardrobe, the programme offers an opportunity to discover the Belfast boy whose experiences helped inspire one of literature's most enduring fantasy worlds.
