Galway-based production company ROSG has picked up the prestigious prize of Television Series of the Year for its documentary ‘Scéal na Gaeilge’ at the Oireachtas Communication Awards.
The annual Oireachtas Awards, which took place last Friday (May 18), celebrate the best in Irish language productions, from TV, radio, journalism and the web. The main award on the night is awarded to a series or programme from any genre which is considered the best.
‘Scéal na Gaeilge’ is a two-part documentary series which traces the story of the Irish language from its first inclusion in society to present day use.
Ciarán Ó Cofaigh of IFTA-nominated ROSG produced the series, which was directed by Diarmuid Goggins (Set in Ibiza). Alan Titley, a former winner of Columnist of the Year at the 2010 Oireachtas Awards, wrote and presented the documentary.
The series was produced with a mixture of animation, green screen and location filming.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ó Cofaigh said: “It’s a great honour for us to win this award as it is the highest accolade given for Irish Language media. I believe we have shown that a documentary series can be presented in a fun, visual and informative style, whatever the subject matter.”
The series was funded by TG4, the BAI and Foras na Gaeilge. Other winners on the night included TG4 presenter Páidí Ó Lionáird, who picked up the Television Broadcaster of the Year award for his work on ‘7 Lá’, and Brídín Nic Dhonncha, who won Actor of the Year for her portrayal of Gráinne Ní Bhraonáin in TG4 soap ‘Ros na Rún’.
ROSG previously brought supernatural thriller ‘Na Cloigne’ (The Heads) to our screens, which aired on TG4 in 2010. It is currently filming a six-part series focusing on the Scéal Short Film Initiative, in partnership with EO Teilifís. The series will chart the progress of the Scéal participants as they develop their own short films.
The full list of winners are:
TELEVISION: SERIES OF THE YEAR
Scéal na Gaeilge
Rosg
TG4
TELEVISION BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Páidí Ó Lionáird
7 Lá
TG4
ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Brídín Nic Dhonncha
Rós na Rún
TG4
RADIO: SERIES OF THE YEAR
Adhmhaidin
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
RADIO BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Gearóid Mac Donncha
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
PRINT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Orla Bradshaw
Foinse
COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR
Conall Ó Móráin
Gaelscéal
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Cathal Póirtéir
RTÉ & RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
