Joe Mahon visits beautiful Lough Beg in the second episode of brand new UTV series ‘Mahon’s Way’, airing tonight (Monday 12 July) at 8pm.
The series, which see Joe travel the highways and byways of Northern Ireland started last Monday with a visit to Glendun, in the Glens of Antrim.
In this week’s episode Joe Mahon meets with scientist David Jewson on the banks of the Lower Bann to discover some of the fascinating properties of the diatomite which was deposited here in vast quantities by flood waters over thousands of years. When the level of Lough Neagh was reduced in the 20th century, the various drainage schemes uncovered, not only the diatomite, but also a wealth of evidence of Mesolithic habitation which made the Lower Bann a magnet for the world’s archaeologists.
Local people caught the archaeological bug and Colm Scullion from Ballyscullion displays some of his own finds, and then regales Joe with some of the lore of the land, including stories of poteen-makers and boat chases. Joe also learns of the link that ties Mussenden Temple at Downhill with the steeple on Church Island, and the real reason why the steeple is bent.
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 12th July at 8pm on UTV and on catch up on www.itv.com/utvprogrammes .
As far back as 30 years ago Joe Mahon was producing the UTV series “McGilloway’s Way”, whose presenter, Olly McGilloway, is still fondly remembered by many people throughout the country. Since then Joe himself has become the front man for the many and varied television productions that Westway Films has brought to the UTV screens over the years, Lesser Spotted Ulster, Ulster Giants, Lough Neagh, Lough Foyle, Lough Erne, to name a few. And the consistent popularity of those programmes would suggest that he has built up a strong rapport with the UTV audience. He is now a familiar figure who is trusted to deliver fresh insights across a wide range of subject matter and to do so with enthusiasm and genuine enjoyment.
‘Mahon’s Way is as much about Mahon’s way, his style of presentation if you like, as it is about the travels he undertakes - down-to-earth and humorous, yet well-informed and erudite, always with an eye for the quirky, the unusual and the eccentric. Whether we’re talking about “Lesser Spotted Ulster” or “Lough Foyle” or “Ulster Giants” one of the hallmarks of that style, constantly commented upon in audience feedback, is the relaxed and natural tone of Mahon’s interaction with contributors. That spontaneous “natural feel”, the humorous tone and the abundance of “craic”, often tend to disguise the fact that these are programmes of real substance, with a serious approach to local history and heritage based on proper field research and considerable scholarship.
“Yes, I’m beginning to get the hang of it,” jokes Joe, “so I’ve finally relented and decided to call it “Mahon’s Way”, with a respectful nod to the memory of my old friend and mentor, the late Olly McGilloway. The new title means that we’re not confined geographically, so you could find us popping up well-nigh anywhere in the country, - from the lakes of Fermanagh to the Glens of Antrim, from the shores of Lough Beg to the coast of County Down, and even as far away as the Belfast Hills!
“It’s been a difficult year at times dealing with Covid 19 restrictions but, apart from getting used to some creative social-distancing, we’re confident our audience will enjoy these programmes as much as ever – perhaps even more so given the circumstances!”