Zig and Zag: Return of The Den

RTÉ are celebrating the 2nd Birthday of RTÉjr with the return of some of previous cast members of The Den. Zig and Zag is a new animated series which will broadcast on RTÉ's dedicated channel to the under 6s. The new series comes 30 years after the debut of Dempsey’s Den on Irish screens in 2016. On the launch of the new series RTÉ’s Cross-Divisional Head of Children’s Content Sheila de Courcy said: “With lots of exciting new animation coming to RTÉjr, it’s a particular delight to see Zig & Zag’s new animated series finally going into production! RTÉjr viewers’ parents grew up with the original alien brothers and I know that Double Z, Flickerpix and Jam Media are going to replicate the fun and mayhem for children today in what’s shaping up to be a super series for 2016.”

Or in the words of Zig back in 1988 "Ladies and Gentlemen wonderfully to be back with you again for another season of a slighty different dempsey's den this year we are going to be going for a more sophisticated and documentarian sort of look type of thing."

The 26 part series is co-produced with CBBC (the BBC's Dedicated channel for 6 to 12 year olds). It is produced by Double-Z the people behind Dustin, Zig & Zag, Snotzer and Rodge & Podge. The series is also funded by Northern Irish Screen, the Irish Film Board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Other new cartoons from RTEjr include Havananimal with songs by Shay Healy and performed by Duke Special. The series is produced by Igloo Films for RTÉ.

The Day Henry Met will broadcast this summer on RTÉjr produced by Wigglywoo. Henry mets someone new every day.

Other highlights on the channel include documentary series Ailbhe & Feilim’s Day Out and Our Seaside, exploring nature and the outdoors. Magical Sites will introduce pre-schoolers to archaeology. Magical Sites is an RTÉjr production made in association with the BAI. Meanwhile Plus Makers is a new crafts series produced by RTÉjr, with support from the BAI and made in partnership with The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

RTÉjr radio also gets a look in with new shows Nora agus Dora and Fins, Scales and Fishy Tales.

An android version of the popular RTÉjr app is due to be made available on android by September. With lots of fun online with Twigín, Peter Rabbit, Lily’s Memory Match-Up, Can’t Catch Boj, Hey Duggee Jam Badge and Kate & Mim-Mim’s Pop Pop Peaches - all of which can be played on mobile devices.

Parents who want to get involved can upload birthday requests, art work and clips on the website or can follow RTÉjr on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates on new content, competitions and ways to get involved. You can also catch up on your favourite RTÉjr programmes on the RTÉ Player.

RTÉjr began broadcating in May 2011. We don't get the age difference either. RTÉjr and TRTÉ replaced the long running children's strand The Den on RTÉ2 in 2010.

Though they'll never really be as good as this!