Aifric is an Irish-language TV series aimed at young teenagers, directed by Paul Mercier

Paul Mercier

Paul Mercier is a screenwriter, director, actor, voice actor. He is best known for his work as Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil 4 and Specter in the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs video game series.-Career:...

.

The first of the weekly thirteen-part series began broadcasting on 31 October 2006, the date of TG4

TG4

TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....

's tenth anniversary.

The programme charts the progress of fourteen year old (season 1) and fifteen year old (season 2), Aifric (played by Clíona Ní Chíosain

Clíona Ní Chíosain

Clíona Ní Chíosain is the star of Aifric, a television show on TG4, in Ireland.She also co-hosts "Speig Neanta", a radio show on Dublin's Irish language station Raidio na Life, every Saturday at 1pm.-External links:...

), along with her somewhat eccentric family, as she tries to settle into her new life in Conamara, having recently moved from Dublin.

As well as on TG4

TG4

TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....

, Aifric is also shown on BBC Alba, where it is dubbed in Scottish Gaelic.

Characters

• Aifric de Spáinn - played by Clíona Ní Chíosain
  Clíona Ní Chíosain
  Clíona Ní Chíosain is the star of Aifric, a television show on TG4, in Ireland.She also co-hosts "Speig Neanta", a radio show on Dublin's Irish language station Raidio na Life, every Saturday at 1pm.-External links:...
  
   - the lead role. Aifric is a shy and quirky teenage girl.

• Sophie - played by Gráinne Bleasdale - Aifric's best friend.

• Claudia - played by Sláine Hutchinson - Aifric's rival; Claudia is blonde, wealthy, arrogant, and selfish.

• Traolach - played by Kevin O'Dwyer - Aifric's younger brother. He is an intelligent and quirky child and has a keen interest in Eastern philosophy
  Eastern philosophy
  Eastern philosophy includes the various philosophies of Asia, including Chinese philosophy, Iranian philosophy, Japanese philosophy, Indian philosophy and Korean philosophy...
  
  .

• Janis - played by Mairéad Coneely - Aifric and Traolach's mother.

• Tom - played by Barry Barnes - Aifric and Traolach's father. He is an accountant by profession, but rock musician by aspiration

• Bróna - played by Gráinne Pollack - Eccentric classmate of Aifric's; has few (if any) friends; plays the cymbals.

• Beartla - played by Colin Murray - Aifric's classmate. He is the seemingly attainable "Hottie" of the group.

• Maidhc - played by Josef Hrehorow - Aifric's classmate. He has a crush on Aifric.

• Jimín- Played by Cárthach Bán Breathnach- Maidhc's right hand man and the chief messer

• Leo - The "surfer dude" of the series, who Aifric had a crush on in the first of season 2.

Trivia

• Over 95% of the production budget was spent in the Galway
  Galway
  Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
  
   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

Aifric won best Children's/Youth programme at the 2009 Irish Film and Television Awards

Irish Film and Television Awards

The Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...

, and was nominated for Best Irish Language show.