Eye on the local papers

The Local Eye, RTÉ One’s observational documentary going behind the scenes at regional newspapers nationwide, is returning for a second series with a host of brand new characters to entertain the nation.

The second series of The Local Eye, which launches on RTÉ One on Thursday, November 17th at 7pm, follows the fortunes of three new local newspapers – The Donegal Post, The Nenagh Guardian and Mrs Brown’s favourite paper The Northside People.

A six-part-series, The Local Eye gives viewers a real insight into what it takes to put together that most essential part of many Irish people’s week – their local paper. Read across the land and in existence for more than a century, local newspapers are uniquely placed to bring the news that matters to their readers, news that can often be overlooked nationally.

The Local Eye, an RTÉ Cork production, once again shines a light on the sterling work that local newspapers do while also uncovering some of the very entertaining characters who work in them.

Series producer Mary Martin said: “The Local Eye is a big-hearted show that offers a window into a world seldom seen. This year we follow journalists and photographers out and about on some of the biggest stories of their year. When Charles and Camilla landed in Donegal, we followed The Donegal Post on the hunt for a scoop! When Tipperary won the All-Ireland Hurling final – we followed The Nenagh Guardian’s star photographer Bridget as she snapped the champs. And this year we feature Mrs Brown’s favourite paper The Northside People, following the team as they pitch their risqué headlines to Mrs Brown herself, Brendan O’Carroll'.

The Local Eye seeks to give viewers a real insight into the cut and thrust of creating their local newspaper, following the editors, reporters and staff of these publications as they find stories, manage new media and handle everyday journalism dilemmas. The series follows them as they unearth the weird and wonderful about their local area, documenting the triumphs, trials and tribulations of the people they know best and who trust them to deliver the news that really floats their boat.

From royal visits to sporting triumphs; from burlesque in Dublin to holy wells in Nenagh, to the Mary from Dungloe festival in Donegal, this series gets inside the local newspapers and finds out what makes them tick.

The second series of The Local Eye starts on RTÉ One on Thursday, November 17th at 7pm.