The Oireachtas Media Awards with Gala celebrated the Irish language on our screens, radios and newspaper awarding TG4 News anchor Eimear Ní Chonaola three awards and the legendary Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Oireachtas Awards took place on Friday 27th May in celebration of broadcasters, actors, programme makers and journalists who have contributed to Irish language media over the past year. The big winner on the night was TG4 News anchor Eimear Ní Chonaola who took home three awards at the Galway event, including TV Personality of the Year Award, the Gala Gael Star of the Year Award and accepting the Oireachtas Special Achievement Award on behalf of the Nuacht RTE and TG4 team for their coverage of the first ever pre-election Irish language leaders debate.
Commenting on her win, Eimear said: “I’m delighted to win these awards. It’s been a great year for me with the leader’s debate in February and now winning these awards – it’s a very proud moment for me. I’ve been going to the Oireachtas Media Awards with Gala for years and it’s a huge honour to go home with these awards tonight. I’d like to thank all of those who voted for me for the Gala Gael Star of the Year award and the team at Nuacht RTÉ/TG4 who did an exceptional job with the leader’s debate and covering the general election.”
Recently retired voice of Gaelic games Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award for his six decade worth of Irish broadcasting and commentating in the Irish language.
The awards were hosted by presenter Maura Derrane and other prize-winners include Magamedia’s crime drama ‘Corp & Anam’ (TG4) which won Television Series of The Year and Diarmaid De Faoite (‘Corp & Anam’) who won ‘Actor of the Year’ for his portrayal of news reporter Cathal Mac Iarnáin in the Irish-language show.
Oireachtas Na Gaeilge is an organisation that promotes the traditional arts and the Irish language. Every year the Oireachtas Media Awards are held to celebrate the excellent contribution that people have made to the Irish language in the media.
Full list of winners:
TELEVISION SERIES OF THE YEAR
Corp & Anam – Magamedia Production for TG4
TELEVISION PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Eimear Ní Chonaola – TG4
ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Diarmuid de Faoite (Cathal Mac Iarnáin) - Corp & Anam
RADIO PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR
Rónán Beo@3 – RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta – Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí
RADIO PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile – RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Eoghan Ó Neill – Nuacht 24
COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR
Alan Titley – Irish Times – Crobhingne
LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh
GALA GAEL STAR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Eimear Ní Chonaola
OIREACHTAS NA GAEILGE SPECIAL AWARD 2011
Nuacht RTÉ/TG4 – Irish language Leaders Debate 2011
