Donegal woman and Gortahork native Máire Bhrathnach is back on our screens with An Focal Scoir, the studio based discussion series, on BBC Two Northern Ireland.

The new four-part series which began last night, is produced for BBC Gaeilge by Below The Radar TV with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

Máire is producer and presenter of the series which discusses and analysed topics and events that matter to communities at a local and global level during these unprecedented times.

She is joined each week by a panel of journalists and social commentators including Ciarán Dunbar, Áine Ní Bhreisleáin, Eimear McGovern, Dónall Mac Ruairí, Gormfhlaith Ní Thuairisg, Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh, Póilín Ní Chiaráin and Gearóid Ó Muilleoir.  

In the first episode the panel discussion addressed the legacy of maltreatment inflicted on young mothers within mother and baby homes in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Other topics to be discussed during the series include the impact of Transfer Tests, how influential social media Influencers are, and the topic referred to as either “revenge porn” or “image-based sexual abuse”. This unlawful deed targets millions of people around the world and causes immeasurable harm.  During the series An Focal Scoir will discuss the devastating and long-term impact that image sharing can have on victims and their families. 

Antaine Ó Donnaile, Series Producer, said, “We are delighted to have been able to make this high- quality studio-based series about current issues of critical importance to us all.  It is a compelling series with the highest production values that will engage people of all ages and backgrounds.”