THIS SUNDAY, THE Traitors Ireland returns for its second season, after its first run proved to be a major success.
Twenty-four new faces, all unknown to one another (unless another Paudie and Andrew situation is in the works, which we do not know yet), will enter Slane Castle in the hopes of winning up to €50,000.
RTÉ / YouTube
In case you’re unaware of how the game works, or are in need of a refresher – a group of strangers enters the castle, each hoping to take home the prize money. But the catch is that hidden among them are the Traitors, who are secretly working to eliminate their opponents, the Faithfuls.
Having been the iconic backdrop to the last season, Slane Castle in Co Meath is once again home to the series. According to Darren Smith, managing director of Kite Entertainment, the production team “instantly fell in love” with what the site could offer and were delighted to be invited back.
Slane Castle Andres Poveda
Andres Poveda
During filming for this season, The Journal, along with other publications, had the opportunity to step inside the Slane Castle set – where little had changed since the last time round. The famed conclave is still in place, as are the breakfast room and roundtable.
Another thing that will not change this year is the prize pot, which remains at up to €50,000 based on the outdoor missions. Smith believes the series’ higher budget was better put into its production value rather than the cash pot – but added that this doesn’t mean it won’t rise in the future.
“It [the prize money amount] will change the gameplay. We like the gameplay at the moment in terms of the level of brutality to it. If that suddenly became a much bigger number, it will change,” Smith said.
Darren Smith, Managing Director of Kite Entertainment RTÉ
RTÉ
Speaking of change, there’s one that came unexpectedly this season – there’s less swearing. When The Traitors Ireland aired across the pond, UK viewers were quick to point out the level of strong language compared with other adaptations of the show.
This time around, contestants weren’t told to mind their language, but Smith told reporters that coincidentally, they’re “just not a swearing bunch”.
When Siobhán McSweeney, host of The Traitors Ireland, was asked what she made of the reaction to the cursing in the UK, she (in her true fashion) said that she “didn’t give a shit about it”.
Taking on presenting duties for a second time, McSweeney said that it was like she had never left and that the character she steps into while hosting was “very easy to slip back into”.
McSweeney, who was known for her lavish Irish-designed looks last season, said that her style on the show has been hugely important to her. Many viewers were just as excited to see what she would pull out of the wardrobe as they were to find out who had been ‘murdered’ by the Traitors.
McSweeney’s wardrobe never missed the mark RTÉ
RTÉ
This year, we can expect to see many pieces from last year restyled, along with fresh items from new designers. McSweeney says they are young, Irish designers who “deserve a bit of spotlight on them”.
Similarly, one key aspect of the show’s first season that was celebrated was its incorporation of Celtic symbolism and the Irish language. McSweeney said that the response to the cúpla focail in season one was particularly moving for her.
In the run-up to the show’s debut in 2025, McSweeney said that the show’s format “lends itself to Irish personalities”. Rather than being a direct import of international versions, the aim has been for it to look and feel as Irish as possible.
And if last year’s cast – which spanned a range of occupations, ages and walks of life – is anything to go by, the next contestants will again represent a mix of backgrounds.
A fresh set of contestants will be on our screens this Sunday (pictured: last year’s cast) RTÉ
RTÉ
This year, McSweeney added: “We’ve really embraced that – and we have contestants who spontaneously bring that to the table.
“There seems to be a wonderful thing about the show, is that we seem to be reflecting what’s happening in Irish society at the moment.”
The Traitors Ireland and The Traitors Ireland Uncloaked return to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday 30 August.