Doireann Ní Ghlacáin on delving into the life of her grandfather Seán Ó Riada

In making the new documentary, the presenter did not realise what an emotional rollercoaster lay in store, and feels that she has undergone a grieving process for the grandfather she never met

Doireann Ní Ghlacáin presents Seán Ó Riada - Mo Sheanathair on TG4, St Stephen’s Day. 

“If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not worth making,” was filmmaker Jim Sheridan’s advice to Doireann Ní Ghlacáin as she embarked on a documentary exploring the legacy of her grandfather Seán Ó Riada and her own relationship to the composer, 50 years after his death.

Sheridan, executive producer of Seán Ó Riada - Mo Sheanathair, may be assured that after a rollercoaster ride through reawakened family memories, a requisite amount of pain has gone into the making of the feature-length TG4 programme, airing on St Stephen’s Day.