Rebel Wheelers in new TV doc

Cork’s famous Rebel Wheelers will be swapping setting screens for the small screen soon as part of a new alternative documentary series.

Tomorrow, 2 June sees the launch of an exciting new alternative documentary series from TG4 called ‘Éire Eile’.

Presented by Cóilí Collins, aka Shampain, ‘Éire Eile’ examines subcultures and scenes enjoyed by Ireland’s youth in 2022 with everything from hip-hop in Limerick and queer punk in Belfast to wheelchair basketball in Cork and historical European martial arts in Galway.

‘Éire Eile’ delves into Irish subcultures over 8 episodes. Shampain explores a range of communities and the people, clubs and organisations which help build and maintain them. As our work and social lives become increasingly remote, ‘Éire Eile’ is about what happens when people get together to create, compete, express themselves and indulge their passions.

Diving head first into Ireland’s cultural undercurrents, Shampain leads us in a joyous celebration of community, diversity and inclusivity.

Episode 4 features the Rebel Wheelers. TG4 said: “Basketball is known for high flying manoeuvres above the rim, but the breaks of the game take place below it. In this episode, Shampain heads to Cork to meet the Rebel Wheelers, a wheelchair basketball club who make hoop dreams a reality for all, regardless of physical ability.”

Speaking about the series, Shampain said: “The most moving part of making the series was witnessing the strength of communities and the empathy that exists within them. I grew up in a very rural area and people who didn’t understand me oftentimes made no attempt to understand my interests and just thought I was weird.

“Meeting these groups of people and doing it all as Gaeilge was an extremely positive experience and something that has really changed the way I see the world, because if people have each other’s backs and don’t give in to fear we could all get along with each other but more importantly learn from each other’s experiences in life.”