New RTÉ series to re-imagine Athlone as a 2050 city of the future

A brand new science series being produced for RTÉ by Rare TV and filmed in Athlone will take a look into the future to discover how the science of today will shape the country we will be living in in 25 years time. The three-part series with the working title ‘Welcome to Futureville’ will be filmed over the summer period and broadcast on RTÉ next November as part of National Science Week.

Rare TV is seeking to hear from Athlone residents who would like to be involved and have insights to offer on what it’s like to live in the town today and what changes they would like to see implemented as Athlone evolves.

Producer for Rare TV, Aimie Gavin, said they are trying to reimagine Athlone as Ireland's first ever city of the future in 2050 by imagining what life will be like in the town in the next 25 years.

“We're trying to target the local residents and local business owners in Athlone and it’s really to find out from them, I suppose, firstly why they love Athlone so much,” said Ms Gavin. The producer is hoping to hear from a variety of Athlone residents, whether they have lived in the town their whole life, for the past number of years or are a commuter to the town. Those who take part will share what changes they’ve noticed in the town over the years, how they would like to see the town develop and whether they have any fears for the future.

Ms Gavin added that they want to try and cover different subjects and the issues that really affect society today. “When you look at that, you're kind of looking at housing, transport, the environment, you've got health, you've got work, leisure.” The local residents will raise different issues and how those issues are being tackled by science today will be examined. Ireland’s top scientists and social researchers will explore a broad array of science & technology solutions currently being developed in Ireland

The producer for Rare TV remarked that the programme will focus on learning about potential solutions and how they could be incorporated in Athlone in the future. Top science experts from universities across Ireland or from science foundations will explore a broad array of science & technology solutions currently being developed in Ireland residents. “It's really about trying to find real solutions to real problems that are faced right now by the residents of Athlone,” said Ms Gavin.

In terms of casting local residents for the programme, those interested in taking part in the series are not required to have a background in science. “Everyone from all cohorts of life are going to have their own insight into Athlone town, their own thoughts and perspectives on the town and why they love it so much,” stated Ms Gavin. She said that they want to try and tap into the issues that might affect people.

“If we're looking at transport, how do we consider transport for the future? You know, and is there ways of having a better solution for transport? And the same for housing.”

Speaking about why Athlone was chosen as the case study for the programme, Ms Gavin said: “It's already a thriving location. The population is growing rapidly.”

The new series will take a futuristic approach and will create a virtual reality version of Athlone 2050. Ms Gavin explained: “The virtual world is going to be created through the different science solutions that are developed or that we learn about on this journey across the show.” This could incorporate new energy solutions or create new forms of transport along the Shannon.

Ms Gavin added that local residents’ participation will be the “backbone of the series” and that they wish to include as many people from different age groups and backgrounds as possible. “Everyone will come with something different and it'll be their opportunity to kind of share with us their perspective on that particular sector.”

Ms Gavin emphasised said that they are looking at solutions that potentially could be incorporated across every town and city in the country and encouraged anyone interested to reach out to be featured on the series.

Anyone interested in taking part in the series should register their interest by emailing futureville@rare-tv.com.