Aifric
| Aifric | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Teen drama |
| Created by | Paul Mercier and Micheal ó Domhnaill |
| Starring | Clíona Ní Chíosain |
| Narrated by | Clíona Ní Chíosain |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Original language(s) | Irish, also dubbed into Spanish and Scottish Gaelic |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Single-Camera |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | TG4 |
| Picture format | PAL (16:9) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | November 2, 2006 – 2007 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Aifric (Irish pronunciation: [æfʲrʲɪc]) is an Irish-language TV series aimed at young adults, directed, co-created and co-written by Paul Mercier.[1]
The first of the weekly thirteen-part series began broadcasting on 31 October 2006, the date of TG4's tenth anniversary.
The series follows the life of Aifric whose wacky family have just moved to a new town in the West of Ireland. The 14yr old wants nothing more than to fit in but feels her family will not make it easy for her. Her mother is a new-age hippy who has banned television, while her father is a wannabe rock star, not to mention her annoying little brother.
As well as on TG4, Aifric is also shown on BBC Alba, where it is dubbed in Scottish Gaelic.
Characters
| Role | Actor | Information |
| Aifric de Spáinn | Clíona Ní Chíosain | The lead role. Aifric is a shy and quirky teenage girl. |
| Sophie | Gráinne Bleasdale | Aifric's best friend. |
| Claudia | Sláine Hutchinson | Aifric's rival; Claudia is blonde, wealthy, arrogant, and selfish. |
| Traolach de Spáinn | Kevin O'Dwyer/(Hanzel Cian Shanley, in earlier episodes) | Aifric's younger brother. He is an intelligent and quirky child and has a keen interest in Eastern philosophy. |
| Janis de Spáinn | Mairéad Coneely | Aifric and Traolach's mother. |
| Tom de Spáinn | Barry Barnes | Aifric and Traolach's father. He is an accountant by profession, but rock musician by aspiration |
| Bróna | Gráinne Pollack | Eccentric classmate of Aifric's; has few (if any) friends; plays the cymbals. |
| Beartla | Colin Murray | Aifric's classmate. He is the seemingly attainable "Hottie" of the group. |
| Maidhc | Josef Hrehorow | Aifric's classmate. He has a crush on Aifric. |
| Jimín | Cárthach Bán Breathnach | Maidhc's right-hand man and the chief messer |
| Leo | Christy Leech | The "surfer dude" of the series, who Aifric had a crush on at the start of season 2. |
| Bertie | Eoin O'Dubhghaill | The strange character with an odd fondness for jellyfish. |
Trivia
- Over 95% of the production budget was spent in the Galway region.
- The production employed over 170 crew and a cast of almost 150 actors.
- In August 2004, there was a national talent search which auditioned hopeful teenagers for the many young roles in the show, including that of Aifric.
Awards and nominations
Aifric won best Children's/Youth programme at the 2009 Irish Film and Television Awards, and was nominated for Best Irish Language show.[2]
References
- ↑ "Director Paul Mercier on Aifric | The Irish Film & Television Network". www.iftn.ie. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
- ↑ Irish Film and Television Awards 2009