Extraordinary Escapes on ABC TV – Broadcaster and super-brain Sandi Toksvig travels to wild and beautiful Donegal in the Republic of Ireland with sketch comedy queen Doon Mackichan.
As the double Emmy Award winning Smack the Pony and Two Doors Down star is also an outdoor swimming enthusiast, Sandi’s hand-picked destinations have a watery theme.
At the far north of the county’s awe-inspiring Atlantic coast, Sandi and Doon stay in ‘Tuath Na Mara’, an architectural marvel that boasts private access to a secluded sandy cove.
It’s here that Sandi makes a personal confession of her own. In a heartfelt moment, the normally fearless host admits to having issues with body-shaming. Doon gently persuades her to be brave, strip down to her swimsuit, and take an icy dip in the North Atlantic waters with her.
The life-affirming experience has Sandi instantly converted.
Tears are shed and sensational Irish music is enjoyed as this Gaelic adventure takes the pair to the very South of Donegal and ‘Lough Mardal Lodge’, an eco-resort where sustainability never looked so good.
Finishing their Irish adventure in the lush countryside just North of Donegal Bay, the pair stay in the glamorously converted ‘Candlewick Cottage’. Doon serenades Sandi with improvised comedy tunes on the piano and under crystal clear skies, the escape is topped off with a picnic and final joyous swim in the sparkling waters of Loch Eske.
Production credit: Tuesday’s Child Scotland
Extraordinary Escapes – Thursday 7 September, 2023 at 8:30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview (season final)
TV Central ABC content HERE
