Dath an Fhómhair
Dé Céadaoin 20 Bealtaine 9.50pm on TG4 and TG4.ie
Programme promo: https://youtu.be/9YvOd0qtDQY
This deeply human and visually rich film offers an intimate look at some extraordinary individuals who are defying age stereotypes and embracing life with unwavering vitality. Dath an Fhómhair captures the brilliance of later life through the stories of older adults who cycle, dance, sing, drum, and work with passion. In doing so, they challenge conventional stereotypes around aging and prove that enthusiasm, creativity, and purpose do not diminish with time - they evolve.
The documentary is a powerful tribute to the richness of experience. With tenderness and authenticity, it explores the joys, sorrows, and personal triumphs of its contributors, revealing how a lifetime of wisdom has shaped the way they move through the world today.
As they share their insights and pursuits, Dath an Fhómhair asks viewers to reconsider what it means to age, and to live.
Participants in the documentary include:
Deirdre Fitzgerald, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Deirdre began ballet at the age of seven, and although the dance bug never left her, a busy professional life meant she had fewer opportunities to pursue it. She was also an accomplished swimmer. When she retired at 60, she began thinking about what came next. Rather than reigniting her passions solely for her own benefit, she wanted to inspire others, and above all, to have fun.She founded Moving Skirts, a dance group designed to encourage older women to use dance as a joyful form of exercise. Instead of relying on traditional tunes or music typically associated with older age groups, Deirdre drew on rhythms and styles from across cultures to create something uniquely her own.
She also sparked an early‑morning sea‑swimming group, where the emphasis is firmly on enjoyment and camaraderie. At 7am on Bray beach, you’ll often find them dancing on the sand before plunging into the freezing water.
Bríd Byrne, Galway City.
Staying positive and embracing each day makes all the difference. When Bríd retired as a social youth worker five years ago, she had plenty of plans. But only weeks into her retirement, she suffered a stroke that left her with diminished motor skills. True to her nature, she refused to be defined by the setback. Drawing on a lifetime of resilience, she set about meeting the challenge head‑on.
Bríd turned to technology and art to help rebuild strength and dexterity in her hands, discovering new creative outlets along the way. She also leaned into her long‑standing interest in Celtic Shamanism, a tradition that emphasises connection to nature, personal grounding, and the healing power of ritual. For Bríd, it offered a way to pair the physical work of recovery with a deeper sense of spiritual balance, helping her stay centred, hopeful, and connected to the world around her.
Tom Weymes, Sandymount, Co. Dublin
Tom spent his career helping others to thrive, working with the IDA in Dublin. When he retired, he made a promise to finally invest in himself. He took up the oboe, one of the most notoriously difficult instruments to master, and now plays with a 40‑strong orchestra. He also sings regularly.
A lifelong hiker who travelled the world in his younger years, Tom never really thought of himself as sporty. But with more time on his hands, he decided to become more active. He joined a local cycling club and now clocks up to 150km a week — at the remarkable age of 84. This summer, he’s heading to Portugal to take on some of the country’s most challenging terrain.
Isobel Bennett, Corca Dhuibhne. Co. Kerry
Isobel is a retired archaeologist, originally from Dublin. She moved to Corca Dhuibhne 40 years ago after marrying her husband, who was a local man. She didn't speak Irish at the time, so it took her a while to settle but she eventually did. She now fills her days with showing tourists around the beehive huts they have on their land and minding the lambs. She is the co-founder and secretary of Active Retired, which brings women in the area together for movement classes and other social activities.
Pat De Brún and Bridie Fitzgerald, Daingean Uí Chúis, Co. Kerry
Friends are worth more than gold in this life, and as we grow older, companionship becomes even more precious. In Dingle, best friends Pat and Bridie believe that staying active is central to ageing well. They realised early in retirement that the secret to a happy life is breaking boundaries, trying new things, and doing it all with good company.
Through their local Probus Club, a community organisation that brings retired and semi‑retired people together for learning, social connection, and shared activities, they’ve found a vibrant network of like‑minded friends. With Probus, they practise Pilates, play golf, take part in tours, and even head off on foreign holidays.
Bridie, who still runs her B&B at the age of 80 and relishes the daily social contact it brings, has recently taken on a new role: teaching Pat how to play golf. It’s become their latest shared adventure, proving that it’s never too late to pick up a new skill, and have a laugh while trying.
Tomás Ó Cuireáin, Co. Laois
Tomás O Cuiréain works in the community section of Laois County Council. Part of his role includes working with the Age Friendly Laois programme which aims to make Laois a great place to grow old by implementing strategies that support, value, and include older people, guided by the Laois Age Friendly Strategy. In working with community groups, he sees the impact that older people have in shaping their own environments and the role they play as leaders in their communities. Oibríonn Tomás O Cuiréain i rannóg phobail Chomhairle Contae Laoise. Sa ról seo oibrionn se leis an gclár Aois-Chairdiúil Laois a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu Laois a dhéanamh ina áit iontach chun dul in aois trí straitéisí a chur i bhfeidhm a thacaíonn le daoine scothaosta, a luachálann agus a chuimsíonn daoine scothaosta, faoi threoir Straitéis Aoisbhá Laoise. Agus é ag obair le grúpaí pobail, feiceann sé an tionchar a bhíonn ag daoine scothaosta ar a dtimpeallachtaí féin a mhúnlú agus an ról a imríonn siad mar cheannairí ina bpobail.
Dath an Fhómhair is produced by Red Pepper Productions.
For more information contact: Linda Ní Ghríofa, Communications Editor, TG4
