RTÉ Series Chronicles Benedictine Nuns Struggling to Save Kylemore Abbey

The 1995 film 'The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain' brought Hollywood to the village of Llanrhaeadr in Powys, with many locals serving as extras and the film becoming a cult classic that introduced the world to the Tanat Valley. Meanwhile, RTÉ One presents a new three-part documentary series, 'The Hills Are Alive: A Year at Kylemore Abbey,' offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Benedictine nuns and lay staff striving to preserve their historic abbey amid modern challenges by embracing tourism, commerce, and ecological efforts. The series highlights how the nuns have transformed their once dilapidated estate into a sustainable community supporting jobs and continuing religious life. Additionally, a significant moment in British music history was recounted where Scottish music executive Alan McGee, during a night out in Glasgow, discovered and signed the band Oasis after their performance at King Tut's club, marking the start of their rise to fame. Lastly, Andy Miller's new book 'A Year On The Ethels: A Life In The Hills' recounts his year-long journey across the Peak District's highest hilltops, blending his lifetime of mountaineering with reflections on nature, endurance, and personal challenge. Collectively, these stories celebrate cultural heritage, community resilience, and the enduring human connection to place and creativity.