New doc to explore lives of young migrants
A youth group based in Macroom is set to be the subject of a new series from Virgin Media Television, exploring the experiences of young migrants building their lives in Ireland.
‘My Ireland Too’ follows the Sauti youth group as they prepare original music for Cork’s Africa Day celebrations, compete in the Unity Cup football tournament, and perform at the Cork Midsummer Festival.
Through music, sport, poetry, and creativity, they share their stories in their own words, offering viewers an honest, moving, and inspiring insight into life as a young migrant. Along the way, viewers will witness the impact of major life events, including uncertainty surrounding their accommodation and the challenges faced by families navigating the asylum process.
A central figure is Raphael Olympio, a musician, poet, and mentor, original from Togo. Raphael moved to Ireland as a child and experienced the direct provision centre first-hand. Today, he uses music and creativity to help young people find confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging.
Among the young people featured is Tamer Alloush, a 17 year old who fled conflict in Syria as a child and who is now building a future in Cork while exploring his passion for music, writing, and performance.
Viewers will also meet Farhan, a young poet whose writing reflects the experiences of newly arrived migrant women, and Saheed, an aspiring comedian determined to pursue her dream despite her mother’s objections.
At the heart of the series is the Cork Migrant Centre, a vital community resource supporting migrants and asylum seekers across the region. Through the centre's youth programmes, viewers meet an engaging group of young people whose stories reveal the resilience, determination and creativity shaping modern Ireland.
The series highlights the work of Dr Naomi Masheti, Operation Head of the Centre, whose dedication to supporting migrant communities has earned widespread recognition, including being honoured through UCC’s prestigious Women on Walls initiative.
As Ireland continues to change and diversify, My Ireland Too puts the focus firmly on the voices of a new generation. Against a backdrop of uncertainty, discrimination, and the realities of an unstable direct provision system, these young people speak openly about their experiences while pursuing their hopes and ambitions for the future.
Produced by New Decade TV with support from Coimisiún na Meán’s Sound and Vision Scheme, ‘My Ireland Too’ starts Wednesday 19 August at 9pm on Virgin Media PLAY and Virgin Media One.