The RTS Ireland Television Awards 2025 | Gradaim RTS 2025

Gradaim RTS Ireland 2025 were held at the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin on the 27th of March, as achievements and excellence in the TV industry were honoured.

This year, the awards were hosted by Virgin Media Television with support from Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Screen Producers Ireland along with broadcasters RTÉ, TG4 and Sky Ireland.

Hosted by Muireann O’Connell and Tommy Bowe, a wide range of programming and broadcasters were honoured.

Alan Esslemont and Cal Driscoll took home the individual prizes, winning the Outstanding Contribution Award and the Breakthrough Talent Award respectively.

Speaking at the awards, Áine Ní Chaoindealbháin, Managing Director at Virgin Media Television, said: “We were delighted to host this year's Gradaim RTS Ireland. These awards showcase the broad range of talent within the Irish television sector, we would like to congratulate all of this year's nominees and winners”.

Agnes Cogan, RTS Republic of Ireland Chair said: “At the conclusion of another successful RTS Ireland/Gradaim RTS awards, heartiest congratulations to all our winners, grateful thanks to our sponsors and compliments to all who have made our fifth Gradaim RTS presentation such a resounding triumph, most particularly to our hosts for this year’s ceremony, Virgin Media Television. It is now an established part of the media calendar in Ireland, and an RTS Ireland award carries a prestige recognised by all involved in the industry.  It is useful to remind ourselves of what are the objectives of the RTS: It is our aim to promote and encourage the achievement of high standards of creativity and technology in television and its allied fields, and all our nominees and winners are to be applauded for their sterling work in the pursuit of excellence. We look forward to our next awards ceremony, in 2026.”

Outstanding Contribution Award - Alan Esslemont
Alan Esslemont’s term as Árd-Stiúrhóir of TG4 comes to an end in mid April 2025. During his 8.5 years as in the role, Alan has achieved national and international prominence and recognition for the Irish language. Alan has made a lasting contribution to the growth of Irish language creative sector in Ireland.  His initiative for Irish language film, Cine4, in partnership with Fís Éireann & Coimisiún na Meán, has brought Irish language film to the worldwide audience, with recognition at the Oscars, BAFTAs, Sundance and Berlinale. Alan has been a strong advocate for the growth of independent production sector and Ireland’s regional creative economy.  He has been the driver for the establishment of Cúla4 channel in 2023, ensuring TG4’s commitment to the younger audience,and to the transmission of Irish as a living language.  Alan has encouraged partnership and leveraged cross island co-production opportunities with Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish language broadcast fund and as chair of the Celtic Media Festival from 2019 – 2024, with other Celtic broadcasters.

Breakthrough Talent Award (sponsored by Production People)  - Cal O’Driscoll
Cal O’Driscoll is an Irish actor from Dublin. He is known for his work on projects such as VIDEO NASTY, SANCTUARY: A WITCH'S TALE, OBITUARY and VIKINGS VALHALLA. He recently starred in Ariane Labeds feature film SEPTEMBER SAYS which premiered at Cannes Film Festival and is currently starring in the leading role of Con in VIDEO NASTY. Cal also has a passion for filmmaking and has created his own work including his short film PIRATES which won him Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2020 at the Fresh International Film Festival. 

Huge thanks to our sponsors Screen Producers Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and Screen Ireland.

The RTS Ireland Awards are also brought to you by our broadcasters Virgin Media Television, Sky Ireland, RTÉ and TG4.