“Manchán’s Europe by Train (RTÉ One, Sunday, 6.30pm) serves as a travel diary, a call for eco-friendly practices, and the first step towards redemption. The host, writer, and documentary producer, Manchán Magan, has been a global traveller since his early 20s, in the process amassing significant carbon emissions. Now, he is exploring a more sustainable alternative: traversing Europe via train, boat, and bicycle.
His adventure commences in Dublin, from where he boards a ferry bound for Wales. After an adrenaline-pumping zip wire descent at a local quarry, he takes a train journey to London, from where the Eurostar whisks him away to Belgium. A waffle breakfast later, he tours a museum honouring Tintin and the Smurfs (he is said to resemble Tintin somewhat), and breaks a sweat with some casual dance at a Congolese community centre.
Even during his frequent flyer days, Magan was a reflective travel journalist – not the one to approach for typical holiday suggestions, but certainly a trusted source of information about the rejuvenating effect of spending a month in central Africa. This was a journey he undertook in his 20s for some self-discovery and mental clarity.
On screen, he embodies the quirks of a slightly eccentric academic with a love for aimless wandering – the kind of rumpled scholar who can effortlessly quote Joyce, yet might show up to a professional meeting sporting mismatched socks. He’s an embodiment of Alan Whicker as visualised by Wes Anderson, or Hector Ó hEochagáin reimagined by the Coen brothers.
Manchán’s Europe by Train: A guilt-free holiday alternative to flying.”
Magan has an easy-going aura which exudes a unique sense of calm on screen. Importantly, he avoids coming off as moralising or didactic – a vital trait when addressing the climate crisis and its possible influence on viewers’ lives, many of whom may already feel extremely overburdened, financially or otherwise (including the inevitable licence fee among their expenses).
Magan is cautious not to chide the viewers, instead showing empathy for their predicament as he himself was a part of it for several years. “My intention isn’t to be a crusader or instruct others what to do,” he comments in one of his intriguing and sincere camera side notes. “I’m conscious that I’ve flown more than one person should.”
He would likely concede that his perspective on travelling isn’t universally applicable. On each trip, he juxtaposes its carbon footprint with that of a plane journey. Undeniably, aviation is vastly more harmful to the environment. The show, on the flip side, refrains from comparing the costs – making it hard not to envision Magan’s vacation as a contemporary take on the privileged 19th-century grand tour; unhurried, sophisticated but potentially exclusive to the affluent.
The time commitment would undoubtedly be a hurdle for many. For instance, upon arriving in Amsterdam, an upbeat Magan mentions he could be home in about 18 hours – manageable if one has spare time but daunting for those with familial responsibilities or tight work schedules.
Nonetheless, the series is visually pleasing and presents a genuine perspective of the locations Magan visits. In the Netherlands, he takes a spontaneous detour to the town of Breda – akin to the Irish towns of Mullingar or Athlone – and is ecstatic to find a cycle track in middle of the railway station.
At London’s St Pancras International, he is moved by the grandeur of train stations – you do ponder however if he’s ever faced rush hour at Dublin’s Connolly Station when the trains are consistently late by 20 minutes and your platform has inexplicably vanished from the information boards.
Europe by Train, in one particular rendition, could have seemingly chastised vacationers for their city escapades in Reykjavik or weekend festivals at Barcelona’s Primavera. However, Magan is well-aware that berating individuals serves no fruitful purpose. Rather, he presents a highly engaging travel diary which, despite certain potential inconveniences, portrays this cross-European train journey as the most enjoyable experience one could have.