True North TV show to focus on Ballymena hunt master

This look at rural life made by Erica Starling Productions will air on BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday 10 February at 10.35pm.

As Andy’s life unfolds through his beloved horses in the rural and peaceful landscape of County Antrim, it reveals a family coping with the devastation of terminal cancer.

Six years ago Andy was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour and at the time was given six months to live.

Determined not to be beaten by cancer, 52-year-old Andy introduces viewers to the world of hunting, horseracing, horse dealing and weekly chemotherapy visits.

Viewers will meet the long established Mid-Antrim Harriers of which Andy is a joint master, visit the highly anticipated annual Armagh point-to-point, the Cheltenham of Irish racing, which is Andy’s dream to win with his pride and joy ‘Knockans Bridge’, and share in Andy’s life on the farm with his two sons Bob and Joe and wife Judith.

This intimate portrait of Andy’s life illuminates a world which few are part of and one being challenged by cancer.

Producer and director Louise Liddy says: “Andy was breaking in a horse when I first met him. I had never seen anything like it before and I was totally captivated by his special gift with horses, his sheer determination not to let cancer prevent him from doing what he wanted to do and to see his sons grow up. He was inspirational. We made this film together over nine months and it was a privilege to be invited into his world and to get to know him and the Hamilton family.”

True North is a series of fresh new, revelatory and uniquely personal single documentaries form BBC Northern Ireland.