A wealth of talent from the Donegal Gaeltacht on new kids’ cookery programme

Children’s cookery series Cácaí Áille is set to air in full on TG4 this weekend, showcasing a wealth of talent in the Donegal Gaeltacht.

And that was exactly the aim of production company owner Sonia Nic Giolla Easbuig when she returned home to live in Gaoth Dobhair and offer a platform to the many skilled people living in the area.

LIGID TV Productions is a small local independent TV company based in the Donegal Gaeltacht of Gaoth Dobhair. Its impressive back catalogue consists largely of documentaries on subjects from the late Martin McGuinness to Palestine, mainly for TG4, RTÉ & BBCNI. 

This is their first venture into children’s television, and Sonia couldn’t be happier with the result.

“This was an idea that came about during lockdown,” she said. “The children were all fantastic, showing what can be done with products from Donegal Creameries. 

“We have a lovely Spongebob cake, a volcano cake, a piano cake and lots more.”

The show is presented by local baker  Aoibhín O'Dea.

“Aoibhín has her own business, Cacaí Aoibhín, and she really knows her stuff,” said Sonia. 

“And she took very naturally to the camera. She never did anything in TV before now but she stood out as a present from the word go.”

The timing of the broadcast shows how highly it is regarded by TG4 programmers. The Irish language broadcaster’s platform for children - Cúla 4 - is celebrating its first birthday this week, and all six episodes of Cácaí Áille will air on Sunday, September 8 from 5.25pm as part of the celebrations. 

“We were delighted with the news, delighted that TG4 felt it was strong enough for that slot,” said Sonia.

“When we moved back to the Donegal Gaeltacht three years ago, myself and my husband, it was my hope to give a platform to as many of the talented people in the area as possible.

“It is important to us as a company to develop young people and develop the industry here through the Irish language, and this series really does that.

“Aoibhín is fantastic, the children are just great. A lot of them are new to the industry and they were all amazing to work with. 

“We are lucky to have such a wealth of talent here. It is lovely to give all of them a platform.

“And we are hoping that this series inspires people to come together at home, to make cakes and use the wonderful produce that is available locally.”

This series certainly is a very different direction for Producer and Director Sonia and the other two members of the LIGID TV Productions team, Peter Jones, Senior Camera / Editor; and Martin O'Donnell, Camera / Editor. 

Subjects previously covered include a feature documentary with the late Martin McGuinness, including interviews with Bill Clinton, Senator George Mitchell, Tony Blair, Gerry Adams. 

Other projects include a documentary about Bád Eddie, the iconic boat that lies on Magheraclogher beach in Gaoth Dobhair. 

LIGID TV Productions has also produced documentaries internationally, from a one-hour documentary about Palestine where Sonia travelled and spent time with people in Gaza and the West Bank, to following a group of Irish speaking people who climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro in Africa.

The company produces Molscéal.ie in Ulster for TG4. Molscéal is TG4's online short form content platform. 

The company was recently awarded Q Mharc le Gaeilge from Foras na Gaeilge for their bilingual work in business. 

TG4 says of the new cookery series: “Cácaí Áille is a cookery series for young people who are interested in baking and decorating cakes, buns and scones etc. 

“Aoibhín, a young baker from the Donegal Gaeltacht, shows us how to bake and decorate different cakes. In this series we learn how to bake and decorate pinata, volcano, piano, giraffe, sport and Spongebob cakes. 

“We will also see how different things are made, like boiled sweets, jam, honey, milk, eggs and gluten free bread. 

“Aoibhín will help a special young guest bake something for their family and friends from their own kitchen. 

“If you or anyone you know is interested in baking this is the series for you!”

All recipes will be made available on the Cacaí Áille page on www.Cúla4.com from September 9 onwards, and the series will be available on the Cúla 4 player.