From the producers of the award-winning ‘The Bothy Band’ and ‘Dolores at 70’ comes a new documentary, Tommy Sands - Clann an Cheoil.

Made by Newry-based Big Mountain Productions, the film takes an in-depth and intimate look at one of Ireland’s most successful and influential folk families - the Sands family.

From Rostrevor to Carnegie Hall...to East Berlin and far beyond, Tommy and the Sands family became ‘the Voice of the People’.

Anne, Colum, Ben and Tommy make up the world-renowned Sands family band, who, while growing up, were immersed in music and storytelling.

Tommy Sands (third left) with his siblings, Ben, Anne, Colum, Mary and Hugh, pictured at their homeplace outside Mayobridge during filming for the new documentary

placeholder image — Tommy Sands (third left) with his siblings, Ben, Anne, Colum, Mary and Hugh, pictured at their homeplace outside Mayobridge during filming for the new documentary

Their County Down home, outside Mayobridge, was a haven for Catholics and Protestants to come together to share tunes and tales, because music was the one thing that united everyone, no matter their background.

From humble beginnings in their ‘Céilí House’ to appearances in Carnegie Hall, this documentary allows viewers to journey back to where it all started, and features music, craic and song from members of the Sands' extended family.

Tommy Sands, known as ‘The Bard of Peace’, is particularly known worldwide for his songwriting and social activism and was a pioneer for promoting peace through his music and song.

His songwriting drew international attention, with the late ‘Father of Folk’ Pete Seeger and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Seamus Heaney among those who recognised the power of his writing, prompting Sing Out magazine to laud Tommy as "the most powerful songwriter in Ireland, if not the rest of the world".

The Sands family, from left, Anne, Ben, Colum and Tommy, taking a break during filming at their homeplace outside Mayobridge

With interviews from Arlo Guthrie (son of Woody Guthrie), prominent politicians, activists during the Civil Rights Movement and the Peace Process, journalists and other musicians from the times of the Troubles, the documentary highlights how both at home and on the international stage, Tommy and his family have proved their cultural and political influence, promoting peace and raising political issues through songwriting and storytelling.

Folk music, by definition, is an oral tradition, and this documentary celebrates the wonderful folk singers keeping that tradition alive. The Sands Family has been at the forefront of Folk music in Ireland through key moments in history and politics.

Tommy is known as Ireland’s ‘Woody Guthrie’ and this celebratory and insightful documentary brings their story and their impact on the world around them to the broadest mainstream audience possible and is another ‘jewel in the crown’ of RTÉ Gaeilge Programmes.

Tommy Sands - Clann an Cheoil is on Tuesday 30 December, RTÉ One at 6.30pm, and also on the RTÉ Player.