A glittering event at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin took in comedy, crime and sport. Matthew Bell reports
Outgoing TG4 Director General (Ard-Stiúrthóir) Alan Esslemont was presented with the Outstanding Contribution award at the RTS Republic of Ireland Gradaim/Awards.
Scotland-born Esslemont left the Irish-language channel in April, having served nearly nine years in the top role. Paying tribute, RTS Ireland Chair Agnes Cogan said: “Alan’s contribution to the Irish and international television scene has been extraordinary in its scope, ambition and achievement.
“TG4, under his stewardship, is undeniably a major player in media and film, constantly expanding and innovating.”
TG4 also won the Scripted award for the rural crime drama Crá, the first Irish-language programme to win a primetime slot on BBC Northern Ireland, and the Live Sport Coverage prize for Rugbaí Beo: Munster v Leinster, Christmas Interpro.
A new Audience Choice award for the favourite TV show of 2024, voted for by the general public, went to RTÉ Storyland comedy Did You Read About Erskine Fogarty? The adaptation of a short story by Irish artist and author Blindboy Boatclub stars Robert Sheehan as a troubled man dragging a fridge through Limerick to prove that he’s a big shot.
Dublin actor and film-maker Cal O’Driscoll – star of Virgin Media comedy-horror series Video Nasty – took home the Breakthrough Talent award. He also recently appeared in Ariane Labed’s debut feature film, September Says.
RTÉ enjoyed a successful evening at the ceremony, which was presented by Muireann O’Connell and Tommy Bowe, the hosts of Virgin Media One breakfast show Ireland AM. Ireland’s public broadcaster scooped seven awards, including three Factual prizes, for Stardust: Truth (Series), Jackie & Coco (Single) and Birdsong (Specialist).
It also took home the Animation and Children’s programming award for What Daire Did Next, Entertainment (Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special), Current Affairs (RTÉ Investigates: Inside the Protests) and Sport Documentary (Girls in Green).
Sky Ireland was named News Broadcaster of the Year and Virgin Media Television won the Factual Entertainment category with Gogglebox Ireland.
The awards were held at the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, in late March and hosted by Virgin Media Television with support from Screen Ireland, Ireland’s media regulator Coimisiún na Meán and Screen Producers Ireland, along with broadcasters RTÉ, TG4 and Sky Ireland.
RTS Republic of Ireland Television Awards winners
Outstanding Contribution Alan Esslemont
Audience Choice Did You Read About Erskine Fogarty? Connla’s Well for RTÉ
Breakthrough Talent Cal O’Driscoll
Scripted Crá Fíbín Media and Zoogon for TG4
Entertainment Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special 84/Ochtó4 Productions for RTÉ
Factual Entertainment Gogglebox Ireland Kite Entertainment for Virgin Media Television
Factual Series•Stardust: Truth•RTÉ
Factual Single Jackie & Coco Atom Films for RTÉ
Specialist Factual Birdsong True Films for RTÉ
News Broadcaster of the Year Sky Ireland
Current Affairs RTÉ Investigates: Inside the Protests RTÉ
Sport Documentary Girls In Green RTÉ
Live Sport Coverage Rugbaí Beo: Munster v Leinster, Christmas Interpro IRIS Productions for TG4
Animation and Children’s What Daire Did Next Tyrone Productions for RTÉ
