Belfast actor James Martin was awarded the Outstanding Newcomer prize at the RTS Republic of Ireland Awards (Gradaim RTS) in late March. Martin starred in the Oscar-winning short film An Irish Goodbye in which he played the bereaved brother Lorcan.

Gogglebox Ireland, shown on Virgin Media Television, was named the Factual Entertainment winner for the second year running.

The Drama prize went to another Virgin Media show (a co-commission with ITV), Redemption, a crime series set in Dublin starring Paula Malcomson.

RTÉ took home most of the gongs, including for Entertainment (Callan Kicks the Year), Factual Series (Crimes and Confessions), Factual Single (Speechless) and Specialist Factual (A Note for Nature) awards. The national broadcaster also won the News and Current Affairs award for an investigation into a financial fraud – The Accountant, the Con, the Lies.

The Sport prize went to the Terence McNaughton interview episode of the TG4 series Laochra Gael, which tells the extraordinary story of the Antrim hurler.

The ceremony was held on 28 March at The Galmont Hotel in Galway, and hosted by TG4 presenter Caitlín Nic Aoidh and RTÉ journalist Cormac Ó hEadhra.

The awards were supported by Irish broadcasters TG4, Virgin Media, Sky and RTÉ, and sponsored by Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, and Screen Producers Ireland.

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RTS Republic of Ireland Television Awards winners

Drama - Redemption - Metropolitan Films and Tall Story Pictures for Virgin Media

Entertainment - Callan Kicks the Year - Wonky Chair Media for RTÉ

Factual Entertainment - Gogglebox Ireland - Kite Entertainment for Virgin Media

Factual Series - Crimes and Confessions - RTÉ

Factual Single - Speechless - Firebrand Productions for RTÉ

Specialist Factual - A Note for Nature - Crossing the Line Films for RTÉ One

Outstanding Newcomer - James Martin

News and Current Affairs - RTÉ Investigates: The Accountant, the Con, the Lies - RTÉ

Sport - Terence McNaughton - Nemeton TV for TG4

Children’s - Storybud - Kite Entertainment for RTÉ

Animation - The Ghastly Ghoul - Dream Logic Animation Studios and Lupus Films for RTÉ