Masters: The Stories Behind the Skills

Go behind the scenes of Masters: Keepers of Tradition with John Creedon, the craftspeople and creators behind the acclaimed RTÉ series.

The acclaimed six-part television series produced in partnership between the Heritage Council, RTÉ and Coimisiún na Meán, aired earlier this year and this special National Heritage Week event in Ballineen Enniskeane, Co Cork takes a closer look at the series and the current state of our traditional skills.

Following an opening address from Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity and TD for Cork South West Christopher O'Sullivan, you can enjoy a screening of the beautiful episode featuring stonemason Julia Gebel, who sets about skillfully sculpting the bust of Ballineen native Dick Barrett - a prominent IRA officer who was executed during the Civil War. His bust now stands proudly in the town.

A second episode featuring Cork clockmaker Philip Stokes will also be aired as he tackles the complex repair and restoration of Cork city's Shandon clock tower.

After the screening, RTÉ broadcaster John Creedon will host a discussion with the two craftspeople, Heritage Council CEO Virginia Teehan and series director Barry Donnellan.

Together they will explore the making of the series, the enduring importance of traditional skills, and what can be done to ensure these remarkable crafts continue to thrive in Ireland for generations to come.