TG4 presents Cara sa Cheol (A Friend in Music), a new six-part music documentary series celebrating creative collaboration between Irish-language artists and musicians from Ireland’s New Irish and immigrant communities.
Set in an evolving Ireland, Cara sa Cheol pairs artists from different cultural backgrounds to create bold new musical collaborations. Each episode follows a creative exchange as two artists step into one another’s communities – sharing stories, influences, and lived experience rooted in Irish, African, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European traditions. From first meeting to final performance, each collaboration becomes a rich exploration of identity, belonging, and connection.
The series follows Nigerian-Irish soul singer Toshín Bankole, traditional and folk singer Cáit Ní Riain, multi-instrumentalist Seamas Hyland, Iranian composer Shahab Coohe, singer Catríona Ní Ghribín, Palestinian oud player Sarraj Alsersawi, classical and traditional violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain, Ukrainian-born composer Olesya Zdorovetska, poet Ciara Ní É and Irish bassist of Ethiopian heritage Dara Abdurahman, and Irish Zimbabwean rapper GodKnows alongside multi-instrumentalist Caoimhín.
Blending Irish traditional music with rap, soul, and global musical forms, Cara sa Cheol reveals a contemporary Ireland shaped by migration, diversity, and shared creativity. The title ‘Cara sa Cheol’, meaning “a friend in music”, captures the essence of the series: the powerful bonds forged through collaboration, transcending language and cultural difference to connect communities.
Each episode culminates in a live concert performed before a local audience in meaningful community spaces. These performances capture the emotional and creative depth of the collaborations, showcasing music as a living, shared language.
Episode 1, featuring GodKnows and Caoimhín airs Sunday 26th April on TG4 – subtitles options available, and audiences outside of Ireland can tune in via the TG4 Online Player.
Cara sa Cheol is a Setanta Films production for TG4. Directed and Executive Produced by Feilimí O’Connor. Series Producer: Aisling Ní Fhlaithearta. Music Producer: Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. Funded by Coimisiún na Meán and TG4.
EPISODE GUIDE
Collaboration 1: GodKnows & Caoimhín
Airing 26 April
Zimbabwean-Irish rapper GodKnows, founding member of Rusangano Family, collaborates with Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Caoimhín Mac Uaid. Their partnership fuses incisive lyrical storytelling with genre-defying production.
Collaboration 2: Olesya Zdorovetska & Aoife Ní Bhriain
Airing 3 May
Classical and traditional violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain joins Ukrainian-born singer and composer Olesya Zdorovetska in a collaboration blending virtuosic violin with expressive vocal storytelling rooted in Irish and Eastern European traditions.
Collaboration 3: Cáit Ní Riain & Toshín Bankole
Airing 10 May
Traditional singer and folklorist Cáit Ní Riain pairs with Nigerian-Irish soul artist Toshín Bankole, combining Irish sean-nós traditions with contemporary soul and R&B influences.
Collaboration 4: Shahab Coohe & Séamas Hyland
Airing 17 May
Iranian-born composer and performer Shahab Coohe collaborates with West Waterford multi-instrumentalist and set dancer Séamas Hyland, creating a vibrant dialogue between Persian classical music and Irish traditional forms.
Collaboration 5: Catríona Ní Ghribín & Sarraj Alsersawi
Airing 24 May
Donegal singer and accordionist Catríona Ní Ghribín joins Gaza-born oud player Sarraj Alsersawi for a moving collaboration that blends voice, accordion, and oud in performances that honour tradition while embracing new creative energy.
Collaboration 6: Ciara Ní É & Dara Abdurahman
Airing 31 May
Award-winning poet and playwright Ciara Ní É collaborates with Irish bassist of Ethiopian heritage Dara Abdurahman, merging spoken word and live music into performances that are both thought‑provoking and sonically rich.