13 Billion Light Years from Birr and TV picks for today

There's a documentary about making cosmic history in Ireland, and it's goodbye to 2 Broke Girls, How to Get Away with Murder and Liar

Pick of the day

13 Billion Light Years from Birr, 10.15pm, RTÉ One

This documentary promises to show how some Irish boffins aim to unlock some of the universe’s most important secrets. So, yeah, what's happening here is a pretty big deal.

A cutting-edge technological adventure film set in rural Ireland and presented by Jonathan McCrea and Professor Peter Gallagher of Trinity College Dublin, it follows the construction of the I-LOFAR telescope at Birr Castle.

Once completed, it'll be the most westerly part of a network stretching from Ireland to Poland, composed of six partner countries and 50 antenna stations spread across the continent.

This is essential viewing for anyone into astronomy or just curious about the vast universe that surrounds us.

We need your consent to load this YouTube contentWe use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

New or Returning Shows

Gordon Ramsay on Cocaine, 10.00pm, TV3

This isn't about Ramsay actually consuming Colombian marching powder, it's a two-part series that will see the popular TV chef investigate the drugs industry, which has impacted on his business.

The documentary will see him observe the drug being "cooked" before meeting drug smugglers and the UK police force battling the problem.

Announcing the show, Ramsay explained a personal desire to understand what makes cocaine rife in the restaurant business.

He said: "I've wanted to understand the 'world' of cocaine ever since I lost one of my chefs at my flagship restaurant in Chelsea and I wanted to learn why it's becoming such an epidemic, not just globally but specifically in the culinary world."

Arrow, 8.00pm, Sky 1

The wait to see who lived and who died is over as Arrow returns following that massive cliffhanger at the end of season five.

Thea, Felicity, John, Quentin and everyone else Oliver loves were stuck on Lian Yu when Prometheus sent the island up in flames. As the sixth season begins, Oliver is left dealing with the fall-out of that devastating explosion.

The Ganges with Sue Perkins, 9.00pm, BBC One

Sue Perkins goes on a journey, spanning over 1,500 miles, from the Ganges source high in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal.

She travels through some of the most extraordinary, chaotic and exciting places on earth exploring the lives and landscapes of modern India at this crucial point in its history.

In the first episode, she begins her epic journey in the highest mountains on earth. She treks to the source of the Ganges River, meeting hermits and the wise and wandering holy people that call this sacred landscape home.

Ending Tonight

How to Get Away with Murder, 10.00pm, Sky Living

It’s the season finale of Shonda Rhimes’ bonkers legal drama, and the chilling details from the night of the fire are finally revealed, as we discover who was behind the death of one of the Keating 5.

Meanwhile, Annalise and the remaining Keating 4 test the limits of how far they’ll go to save themselves. Expect OMG moments from the start.

Liar, 9.00pm, TV3

It's the concluding part of Harry and Jack Williams' impressive thriller, which followed the lives of teacher Laura Nielson and widowed surgeon Andrew Earlham after they found themselves entangled in a web of deceit and confusion following a date together.

Terrified of being arrested, Andrew enlists Luke's help to set up an alibi, but Laura does not give up easily, and the final confrontation between the two may have violent consequences.

Victoria, 9.00pm, Be3

Season two comes to a close as Albert resents Lehzen's influence over the queen, and fears she is putting the health of their child at risk.

The prince also unwittingly creates problems for Peel, who is facing the most important battle of his political career as he takes a stand against the Corn Laws, only to find that Albert has played into their enemies' hands.

Then, when tragedy strikes, personal and political sacrifices must be made.

2 Broke Girls, 12.40am, RTÉ2

Season five of this old-school US sitcom ends with Max and Caroline learning that Han is in big trouble with a gang for amassing a hefty gambling debt on women's tennis that he can't repay.

Don't Miss

George Michael: Freedom, 10.50pm, Channel 4

In case you missed it last Monday due to Storm Ophelia, here's another chance to see this superb documentary (reviewed here), an intimate look into the extraordinary life and career of the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter.

Narrated by George Michael, it chronicles his entire career, with a focus on the period around the release of his critically-acclaimed album Listen without Prejudice Vol 1.

The reclusive star opens his heart about his great love, great loss and the well-documented High Court battle with his record label, and features personal archive and home footage, interviews, and contributions from a host of famous faces.

13 Billion Light Years from Birr and TV picks for today

More stories on

Read Next