A dozen ordinary people from all walks of life, with an age span of 47 years, take on the longest sea rowing race in the world, the Celtic Challenge, across the Irish Sea from Arklow in the Republic of Ireland to Aberystwyth, west Wales.

The sea rowers - eight women and four men, including three grannies, a fire officer, a police inspector, a builder, a veterinary nurse, a foster carer and a student - all pull together for nearly 100 miles of open sea that can take over a day to cross.

Taking on the Irish Sea is part of the Our Lives series, reporting stories from across the UK. The programme follows the crew from Llangrannog rowing club, Ceredigion, as they train for the marathon row, including man-over-board and distress flare drills with the New Quay life boat, competing indoors on rowing machines and undergoing fitness tests, and raising money for charities. The self-confessed crazy gang also have a lot of fun on the way.

Sea rowing is part of the lifeblood of most coastal towns and villages along the west Wales coast and Taking on the Irish Sea captures this community spirit and shows that anyone can achieve great things whatever their age and ability. Show less