In at the deep end

A NORTHSIDE author and TV personality will be like a fish out of water when she hooks up with Howth fishermen in the first episode of a new series beginning this week.

‘Danger – Amanda at Work’, a four-part entertainment series produced for TV3 by Big Mountain Productions in association with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), follows Amanda Brunker on her ambitious quest to work in some of Ireland’s most challenging and physical jobs, and get an insight into contemporary Ireland.

From deep sea fishing to construction and pig farming, each week the Finglas native will live with one of her co-workers, immersing herself in a different community and really throwing herself into the deep end of some of the toughest jobs in Ireland.

In the first episode, Amanda joins the fishermen aboard

‘The Dearbhla’, a 23-metre fishing vessel and goes 100 miles out to sea from Howth to catch prawns.

Fishing is an extremely dangerous and strenuous job and in this episode, viewers will see how Amanda has to cope with sleep deprivation, snatching only one or two hours’ sleep a day. She must brave the elements and constant movement of the swaying boat.

Amanda admits:

“I can’t get used to the constant movement. I haven’t slept properly since we left. I’m exhausted and the day is just beginning!

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The physical environment is not for the faint-hearted. Can Amanda live like a fisherman aboard a working trawler for a week, gutting fish and working on deck night and day?

‘Danger – Amanda at Work’ airs this Thursday, January 15 at 9pm on TV3.