Tánaiste welcomes launch of new documentary series on
Aer Lingus transatlantic services
Due West will feature as part of Aer Lingus’ inflight entertainment offering
The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, has welcomed the launch of a music mini-documentary series funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The series, Due West, celebrates the unique relationship between Ireland and the United States and will be screened on all Aer Lingus flights between Ireland and North America, touching down in popular destinations including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, plus many more.
Produced by the Consulate General of Ireland in Los Angeles, Due West celebrates the cultural links between Ireland and America and showcases Irish performers.
The series features Niamh Regan, Susan O’Neill, I Draw Slow, Emer Kinsella, Megan Lowe and Mary Little performing in iconic locations across the Los Angeles region.
The Tánaiste said:
“Celebrating the strength and diversity of Ireland’s culture is fundamental to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ work in promoting Ireland abroad. Ireland is world famous for our rich creative and cultural heritage.
“Our storytellers, artists and musicians are known throughout the world and I am delighted that this initiative promotes our close ties with the West Coast of the United States.
“Ireland’s relationship with California continues to go from strength to strength, and the Ireland House Consulate in Los Angeles is an excellent example of Global Ireland in action, with close collaboration between Departments and Agencies including Screen Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Tourism Ireland.
“Our global network of Missions curates and supports cultural projects and initiatives to promote knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of Ireland. I am sure Aer Lingus passengers will enjoy this series as they travel between Ireland and the United States, strengthening the shared history and friendship between our two countries.
Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer, from Aer Lingus said:
“Connecting, people, places and possibilities is at the heart of everything we do at Aer Lingus. We’re immensely proud of the great Irish talent emerging from our island who are making great strides in the US and of the role we play as an airline in connecting Ireland to North America.
“We’re delighted to partner with the Department of Foreign Affairs and air the Due West series as part of the inflight entertainment on our transatlantic flights, showcasing Irish talent to a global audience.”
The series will be available to view on all Aer Lingus transatlantic services until 2024. It is also available to view online at ireland.ie/usa/due-west
ENDS
Press Office
23 August 2023
Notes to Editor
Due West was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and celebrates the cultural links between Ireland and America, profiling Irish artists traversing the West Coast of the US.
Due West invites you to on their journey carrying with them their craft and their stories, across the Atlantic Ocean to new eyes and ears in the Western US.
Niamh Regan
Hailing from the West of Ireland, critically acclaimed songwriter from County Galway, Niamh Regan recorded an intimate live session at Permanent Records Roadhouse in East Los Angeles.
Directed and Filmed by Alannah Campion, Christine Schwan & Justin Schwan
Editor: Laura Sheeran
Sound Engineer: Jared Carrigan
Location: Permanent Records Roadhouse, Los Angeles
I Draw Slow
Americana Dublin-based band, I Draw Slow, recorded their live session in the heat of the California desert at sundown.
Artist: I Draw Slow
Directed, Filmed and Edited by Alannah Campion, Christine Schwan & Justin Schwan.
Assistant Editor & Consulting Producer: Laura Sheeran
Location Sound: Jared Carrigan
Sound Engineer: Adrian Hart
Location: Tranquility Base Camp, Santa Clarity Valley
‘Double: body as source'
A multidisciplinary collaboration created by Irish artists in the Western US, weaving together their crafts of dance, visual art, and music, responding to the poem ‘Ana Liffey’ by Eavan Boland.
Violinist-Composer: Emer Kinsella
Dancer-Choreographer: Megan Lowe
Visual Artist: Mary Little
Directed and Filmed by Alannah Campion, Christine Schwan & Justin Schwan
Editor: Laura Sheeran
Sound Engineer: Jared Carrigan
Location: Bendix Building, Downtown Los Angeles
Susan O’Neill
Susan O’Neill recorded her rooftop session on a slow Sunday morning in the heart of Los Angeles. Get to know this enigmatic singer-songwriter through song and story.
Susan O'Neill, also known professionally as SON, is an Irish singer-songwriter and filmmaker, from Ennis, County Clare.
Artist: Susan O’Neill
Director/Editor/Photography: Nika Burnett
Cinematographer: Kelsey Talton
Assistant Editor: Laura Sheeran
Assistant Camera: Brian White
Gaffer: Eddy Scully
Sound: Cullen Herron
Location: Rooftop, Mid-City Los Angeles