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UTV explores illicit distillers
03.03.09
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A TALE of poteen-making
in Buncrana and the efforts of local Gardaí to track
the illicit distillers down will feature tonight in
a television programme exploring the history and
folklore of spirit-making in Ireland. |
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Patrick Magee who
appeared in a 2001 charity video about poteen-making
appears in the documentary tonight at 10.35pm on UTV.
The half-hour show called ‘It’s In Our Spirit’ takes
a tongue-in-cheek look at Ireland's 'love affair'
with illicit booze.
Patrick Magee was one of the stars of the Step Back
in Time |
committee charity video
'Poteen Making in the Hills of Donegal', proceeds of
which go to the Cashel na Cor special needs
education centre at Umricam.
In tonight's show, the Buncrana man explains the
tradition of poteen making in Inishowen and attests
to the popularity of the Donegal product all over
the world. |
Meanwhile, retired
Buncrana Garda Sergeant Mick Murray describes his
attempts to track the poteen-maker down on the
highways and by-ways of Inishowen.
The programme also tells the story of poteen-making
legend, Mickey McIlhatton, dubbed 'The King of the
Glens’. A former customer explains how Mickey |
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confounded the excise men by
hiding the clear liquid in glass bottles turned
upside down in a nearby stream.
As part of the programme, drinks’ expert Michael
Morris explains how whiskey is aged in casks,
producing its brown colour, whereas poteen is a
white spirit, ready to drink as soon as it is
distilled.
'It's In Our Spirit' was produced by five aspiring
film-makers from across Northern Ireland including
Co Derry.
They were selected from hundreds of applicants to
participate in Skills Focus 2008 - a training scheme
funded by UTV in association with Northern Ireland
Screen. To read more about the Step Back in Time
video
click here . |
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