RTÉ has today announced that Operation Transformation (OT) is to end after 17 seasons. As series come to an end each year, RTÉ undertakes an editorial review to ensure the audience is being best served and to refresh and renew its slate of programming. The decision on Operation Transformation was communicated some weeks ago to those involved including the experts and stakeholders.

The series, which kicked off in 2008, initially saw presenter Gerry Ryan select hopefuls on his RTÉ 2FM radio show, following them as they attempted to reshape and reboot their lives, guided by experts in the fields of nutrition, weight loss and psychology. Kathryn Thomas has been presenting the series since 2012, and has made the show her own with her empathetic and motivational style.

Over the course of the series there have been dozens of leaders from all over Ireland, bidding to improve their health and wellbeing and checking in on a weekly basis with the panel of experts, and inspiring thousands of viewers at home to follow their lead and their plans.

The series evolved considerably over the years with recent series encompassing a more holistic approach to adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as losing weight.  In recent series, leaders underwent a weekly health check-in where various additional health indicators were monitored including Upper Body Strength, Balance, Lower Body Strength and Cardiovascular as well as Hydration, Blood Pressure, Metabolic Age, Weight, General Health, Nutrition, and Movement.

The final series of the show, which aired earlier this year, featured leaders Michelle Rogan, Darragh Fitzgerald, Anne Cushen, Noel O’Connell, and Edel O’Malley. The leaders were ably assisted by clinical psychologist Dr. Eddie Murphy,  Coru Registered Dietician Sophie Pratt, general practitioner Dr Sumi Dunne and fitness expert Karl Henry.

Grainne McAleer, Commissioning Editor, RTÉ, said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all of the leaders who have participated in the series over the past 17 seasons and to the public who engaged with the series in huge numbers across Ireland. We are proud of the positive impact the show has had on individuals and communities across the country, but feel it’s time to refresh and renew our offering to the audience. 
 
I’d also like to thank the experts, past and present, who have been so dedicated to Operation Transformation and to guiding participants on their wellness journey. I’d particularly like to pay tribute to Kathryn Thomas who took up the reins from Gerry Ryan and really made the show her own. Her empathy for the leaders and her commitment to the show really connected with audiences. RTÉ have a number of exciting projects fronted by Kathryn in development at the moment and look forward to bringing them to audiences in the near future.”

Grainne continued: “Finally, a big thank you to VIP Productions and Philip Kampff who have steered this very big ship so well over the past seventeen years and all the production staff and many crew who travelled the length and breadth of the country for OT.”.

Presenter Kathryn Thomas said: “It has been an incredible privilege to be a part of Operation Transformation for the past 14 years and I am so so proud of the legacy the show is leaving behind. To be able to shine a national spotlight on the importance of looking after our health through our amazing leaders, ordinary people living ordinary lives, who opened up their  hearts and homes in the most extraordinary ways. Every single one of you inspired me. And I learnt so much from all our incredible experts down through the years too. It’s been one hell of a journey! 

I know there will be so many people who will miss OT when January rolls around. I will too!! But keep the momentum going in your communities, your GAA clubs, your local Park Runs, That is where the support is when you need it. I, for one, will continue to vocalise the importance of prioritising health  wherever I can too. Thank you to RTÉ for trusting me at the helm for all these years and I look forward to the exciting new projects ahead in 2025″.

Philip Kampff, Managing Director at Vision Independent Productions said: “VIP would like to thank all the people who have shared their journey as leaders on Operation Transformation, in doing so we know they have inspired many to take positive steps to a healthier life. VIP will continue to work with the friends we have made in the GAA, Sport Ireland, The School of Health & Human Performance at DCU and the local Sport Partnerships in County Councils across the country who together created a powerful movement every January and February to encourage people to improve their physical and mental health”.

RTÉ will announce a new series for January 2025 later in the year.

• RTÉ’s radio services reach over two million adults* or 48% of the adult population every week
• RTÉ holds 17 of the top 20 radio programmes broadcasting in Ireland 
• RTÉ Radio 1 remains the only station with a weekly reach of over one million** listeners with gains of +53,000 YoY 
• RTÉ 2FM weekly reach increases by +77,000 YoY to 764,000 
• RTÉ lyric FM has 316,000 listeners on a weekly basis increasing by +22,000 YoY 

   

Since this time last year, 53,000 additional listeners are tuning into RTÉ Radio 1 across the week, weekly listenership to RTÉ 2FM has increased by 77,000, and RTÉ lyric FM – which recently celebrated its 25^th Anniversary – has an additional 22,000 listeners based on this time last year.

Commenting on the latest figures, RTÉ Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch said: “RTÉ radio services are continuing to connect with over 2 million Irish people each week across RTÉ Radio 1, with increases in weekly reach across RTÉ 2FM and RTÉ lyric fm demonstrating the ongoing power of radio and importance of public service broadcasting on the airwaves for Irish audiences. RTÉ radio services are a trusted source for news, sport, entertainment and music across Ireland, and the result of ongoing hard work and dedication of the radio production teams at RTÉ. As the media landscape continues to evolve, radio is steadfast in connecting with Irish audiences at home and abroad.”

RTÉ Radio 1 

RTÉ Radio 1 reaches 888,000 listeners on a weekday (+43,000 YoY).

• Morning Ireland remains Ireland’s most listened to radio programme with 469,000 listeners this book (+32,000 YoY).
• The Oliver Callan Show is Ireland’s third most listened to weekday programme, with 330,000 listeners each day.
• Today with Claire Byrne, from 10am-12noon Monday to Friday, continues to see 341,000 listeners tuning in every weekday.
• The Louise Duffy Show has 218,000 listeners (+4,000 BoB) tuning in for great music.
• News at One has 301,000 listeners (+2,000 YoY).
• Liveline with Joe Duffy has a listenership of 301,000.
• The Ray D’Arcy Show weekday afternoons on RTÉ Radio 1 has 181,000 listeners.
• Drivetime has 220,000 listeners tuning in every evening.
• Countrywide has 255,000 listeners (+21,000 BoB) on Saturday mornings.
• Playback on Saturday has 339,000 listeners (+9,000 BoB)
• The Business on Saturday mornings has 324,000 listeners (+11,000 BoB).
• The Brendan O’Connor Show on Saturday has 352,000 listeners (+10,000 BoB), with 355,000 listeners now tuning in on Sunday (+12,000 BoB).
• Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin has 242,000 listeners (+20,000 BoB).
• Saturday Sport/Doc On One from 2-6pm on RTÉ Radio 1 has 213,000 listeners (+9,000 BoB) and Sunday Sport has 213,000 listeners (+3,000 BoB).
• Sunday with Miriam has 304,000 listeners (+12,000 BoB).

   

Peter Woods, Head of RTÉ Radio 1 said: “A resilient book for RTÉ Radio 1 with ten out of the top ten most listened to programmes in the country, seventeen out of the top twenty, 671,000 listeners between nine and twelve every weekday and our weekends growing incrementally. A tribute as always to our presenters and the hard work of our exceptional production teams and to the enduring support of our listeners.” 

RTÉ 2FM 

• 2FM Breakfast with Doireann, Donncha, and Carl has 143,000 listeners tuning in on weekday mornings.
• Jennifer Zamparelli on 2FM has 135,000 listeners to her 9-12pm show.
• Tracy Clifford has 121,000 listeners enjoying great music each lunchtime (+8,000 BoB).
• Drive It with The 2 Johnnies continues to entertain listeners across the country in the afternoons with 151,000 listeners (+1,000 BoB).
• Game On has 37,000 listeners tuning in weeknights for sports chat (+5,000 BoB)
• Laura Fox from 9am-12noon has 129,000 listeners on Saturdays (+8,000 BoB) and 120,000 on Sunday (+5,000 BoB)
• Roz and Emma on 2FM from 12-3pm have 124,000 listeners on Saturdays and 97,000 listeners on Sundays.

Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ Radio Strategy and RTÉ 2FM, said: “2FM continues to increase its audiences with a growing share of 15- to 34-year-olds. This was a great book for Tracy Clifford with strong growth both book-on-book and year-on-year. The 2 Johnnies and the breakfast show continue to consolidate recent audience gains. Doireann leaves 2FM Breakfast in great shape, and Laura Fox continues to grow her show across weekends. It is great to have an exceptionally talented team both on and off air and I am confident that 2FM will continue to perform well for the rest of the year.”

RTÉ lyric fm   

• Marty in the Morning has 54,000 listeners tuning in every weekday morning.
• Niall Carroll’s Classical Drivetime has 46,000 listeners weekdays.
• Liz Nolan’s The Full Score / Aedín in the Afternoon (Friday) have 44,000 listeners.
• Lorcan Murray’s Classic Drive makes the afternoon sound better for 56,000 listeners.
• Aedín Gormley’s Movies and Musicals every Saturday afternoon has 58,000 listeners (+4,000)
• Evonne Ferguson’s Daybreak has 43,000 listeners (+6,000 BoB) on Saturday mornings.
• The Hamilton Scores with George Hamilton has 44,000 listeners on both Saturdays and Sundays.
• Sunday Afternoon with Simon Delaney/Seán Rocks on Sunday have 50,000 listeners (+8,000 BoB)
• Opera Night with Paul Herriott enjoys 33,000 listeners (+4,000 BoB and +14,000 YoY)

   

Sinéad Wylde, Head of RTÉ lyric fm said: “RTÉ lyric fm is committed to bringing a world of music to listeners, be it classical, traditional, jazz, film and musicals. Having recently celebrated our 25th birthday on 1 May we know that the station has become a cherished companion to many loyal listeners over the years and from this book we are delighted to welcome 22,000 new listeners who come to RTÉ lyric to listen to great music.
Weekends have been particularly strong in this book with gains for programmes on both Saturdays and Sundays. Our growing audience numbers reinforce the fact that RTÉ lyric fm has a valued place in the lives of Irish audiences where music has a unifying energy and where we hope what we do makes life sound better.”

Notes: 
* 2,023,000 Adults 15+
** 1,400,000 Adults 15+
In sourcing the current dataset (covering the period April 2023 – March 2024), and relevant comparable periods, the following wording should be used:

Book-on-Book (BoB) = Source: JNLR/ Ipsos MRBI 2024-1 vs. 2023-4.
Year-on-year (YoY) = Source: JNLR/Ipsos MRBI 2024-1 vs. 2023-1.

RTÉ is supporting Cruinniú na nÓg with a nationwide campaign on television, radio, online and digital. For a full listing of all activities and information on how to join in for Cruinniú na nÓg – please go to https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie  and www.rte.ie

Cruinniú na nÓg 2024: Saturday, 15th June 2024

• Creative Ireland launches Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 with the young rappers, circus performers and artists.
• Cruinniú na nÓg will be on Saturday 15th June 2024
• Programme includes events for children and young people across the island of Ireland
• A comprehensive programme of events for older teens will be held around the country, supported by the Late Night Economy Unit
• TG4 will host Amuigh 24 , an outdoor family festival of young creativity as Gaeilge, in the heart of Connemara.

Yesterday at Fernhill House and Gardens, Dublin, Creative Ireland announced details of Cruinniú na nÓg 2024, a day of free creative activity for young people. This year Cruinniú na nÓg will take place on Saturday 15^th June and will feature more than 1000 free creative activities for children and young people throughout the island. The theme this year is Dare to Create and Creative Ireland is calling on all young people to get creative, try something new and show off their skills.

The launch event was marked by an energetic performance of the RAP Found my Spark led by GMC Beats ambassadors MC Tiny (15) and Lil’Sophia (11) with support from the young rappers of the Southside Traveller’s Action Group. Also at Fernhill was Taiguara Murphy Barbosa Pereira (13) and Charley-Rose Aston (13) ambassadors for Irish Street Theatre and Spectacle, Joe Ó Curraín (9) TG4 and RTÉ’s This is Art 2023 winners Zihan He (15) and Maimoonah Syed (7). Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/8p6_VL00Vqk

Cruinniú na Óg 2024 will host hundreds of free creative events for young people, including an aerial arts programme for deaf youth in Dublin, all the craic agus ceol of a Rambling House performance in County Clare, an Eras dance party in Waterford, a Battle of the Bands in Cloughjordan, Tipperary, pottery classes in Leitrim, family art exchanges between Mayo and Armagh, heritage stone mason and gilding classes in Offaly and so much more.

To find a listing for Cruinniú na nÓg event near you please click here

For the first time, the programme will include a series of late night events for young people. Cruinniú Late includes a play created and performed within 24 hours in the crypt of the Waterford Museum, a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening and dance off in Limerick, silent discos in Dun Laoghaire and Offaly, and an open mic night at the comedy club in South Dublin.

As part of the Shared Island-dimension of the Creative Ireland Programme, events are scheduled which will bring communities together across the island. These include a Deep Dive Game Jam where young people from Wexford and Belfast will join together to explore the shared environmental issues, Convergence will explore the importance of cultural connection, diversity and pride of place in Derry and Tallaght and there will be twinning events between youth centres in Belfast and Dublin.

Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 is a collaboration between the Creative Ireland Programme, the 31 local authorities in Ireland and RTÉ.

Announcing Cruinniú na nÓg 2024, Minister Martin said:

“This year Cruinniú na Óg is everywhere, and all at once! I am delighted that we have been able to launch Cruinniú Late this year which is in direct response to requests from young people to provide authentic, alcohol-free spaces in which young people can perform. With this mind, I want to congratulate our partners in the local authorities who devised over 31 great events for 14-18 year olds. Also, I’m delighted that Cruinniú na nÓg will feature events across the four corners of the island building on the inaugural all-island programming in 2023. In the spirit of the Shared Island initiative, we continue to promote cross-community creative opportunities for children young people to engage in creative activities while building new relationships and bringing communities together”

The Creative Ireland Programme and its strategic partners have developed a number of creative projects, all planned to go live on Saturday 15 June 2024.

These include

• Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS) will host 16 events around the country for young people who want to try their hand at circus skills and street spectacle.
• Rhyme Island – This year, Creative Ireland is teaming up with GMC Beats to get every young person in Ireland rapping. In preparation, the Rhyme Island team have been travelling the length and breadth of the country holding a series of online and in-person workshops, which will culminate in a massive day of rap back at the GMC Beats headquarters in Knocknaheeney, Cork.
• TG4 will host Amuigh 24 in the grounds of their Connemara studio in Baile na hAbhann, County Galway with support from the Gaeltacht division of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. This day long festival will feature bands, graffiti painting, d-jing workshops, Children’s Books Ireland, crafting and so much more, with young people from every Gaeltacht region in the country participating.
• This is Art 2024 – The theme for Creative Ireland and RTÉ’s wonderful art competition for young people will be announced on the day of Cruinniú na Óg and the competition will be open from September for entries.

#CruinniuNaNog – an initiative of Creative Ireland, supported by RTÉ

Comedian PJ Gallagher turns mental health warrior in PJ Gallagher: Changing My Mind, a candid RTÉ documentary exploring mental health in Ireland with the humour and heart that define him.

Following a lifesaving stay at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, PJ Gallagher embarks on a mission to sustain his mental health and long-term well-being, while facing the joys and challenges of welcoming twins. He powerfully admits that he very nearly “died of shame” – he was too embarrassed to talk about being depressed, to the point of becoming suicidal.

PJ Gallagher said: “When I started out doing comedy 25 years ago, the last thing I thought I would be doing was talking about mental illness. In fact, I was trying to do the exact opposite. But my mission now is to have a conversation and try to get other people to have their own discussions on mental illness, and to know the difference between mental illness and your day-to-day mental health. I’ve learned that there is no right or wrong way to talk about it. No one is going to tell you that just talking will make you better, but you have to start talking to find what will make you better. I hope this documentary might in some small way help people to do that.”

PJ Gallagher: Changing My Mind is a celebration of his progress and his commitment to extend that lifeline to those navigating their own mental health journeys, by partnering with advocacy groups and working to dismantle the stigma of facing mental health difficulties. That stigma can be life-threatening for men in particular – suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 25, and yet Pieta House says that 70% of its service users are female.

PJ talks to researchers and psychotherapists, as well as meeting men’s groups that create connection and space to talk about the issues they are facing. He investigates whether he has a diagnosis of ADHD, makes a fresh venture into mindfulness and talk therapy, and explores the potential of ground-breaking therapies like psilocybin, an emerging psychedelic treatment.

PJ Gallagher: Changing My Mind is a raw dive into Ireland’s fight for mental wellness, airing on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 20th May at 9.35pm.  

• New compelling eye-witness testimony of Stardust fire in RTÉ documentary
• Series filmed over three years includes interview with Charlie Bird filmed in 2021 

New eye-witness testimony from the night of the Stardust fire from bar staff, emergency responders and survivors comprehensively recount the events of the night of the disaster in the first episode of a new landmark documentary series on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from Sunday at 9.30pm.

Stardust, a three-part documentary series, tells the full and unvarnished story of the Stardust nightclub fire and the 43-year search for justice undertaken by the families of those killed in the fire. The series will be broadcast across three consecutive nights, Sunday May 12th at 9.30pm and continues tomorrow night and Tuesday at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Three years in the making by RTÉ, this definitive account of the Stardust nightclub tragedy  chronicles the night of the fire and the fall-out from it, the initial investigation into the fire, the relatives’ fight for justice up to the point of a second inquest and concludes with the historic decision of ‘unlawful killing’ delivered into the Coroner’s Court on April 18th.

Tonight’s episode features a sit-down interview with the late Charlie Bird about the nightclub fire that he attended as an RTÉ News journalist in 1981. After campaigning for decades on behalf of the Stardust families, Charlie spoke to RTÉ’s documentary crew in 2021 to recall the night.

Charlie Bird said: “I remember getting the phone call that night – my boss he told me to get my backside out to Artane – there had been a fire in a disco called the Stardust, I hadn’t a clue where it was. I remember jumping in my car and going over Butt Bridge and I just followed the ambulances from there out to the Stardust… So many people there – ambulances, fire brigades, reporters, onlookers from all over the place – it was absolutely chaotic.” 

He continued: “It was a dream – the whole thing was a dream or a nightmare – that was unfolding – as dawn came you began to see the shell of the Stardust – that charred and the smell the smoke was still rising from it.” 

“In a way we didn’t know then what the scale of the tragedy was, how many people had died and the numbers who were injured. Charlie Haughey arrives and the most bizarre thing of all – we walked through the Stardust! We were allowed in – talk about forensics, it’s the most bizarre thing! We were actually allowed to trudge through it!” 

In a rare interview, survivor of the Stardust fire Valerie Deasy describes  first seeing the blaze in the nightclub: “I looked around for my sister to see where she was and I went up to her and said ‘c’mon we better go’ and she said ‘sure it’s only a little fire.’  We could see it… It was in a corner on a seatthat’s what it looked like to me anyway and we walked over and we were standing quite close to the exits – but they were chained.” 

Valerie talks about how the fire grew quickly and in the chaos, she ended up on the floor. She says: “Everyone was standing on me, trampling on me but then I thought I had died – because everything went deathly silent – there wasn’t a sound and it was pitch black.” 

She adds: “You could see the light coming from a door being opened and slowly but surely there was people just pulling people out and eventually somebody pulled me out. There was guy who worked in the community centre, the youth leaders, and I went over to him and said ‘Mick will you bring me home’. I actually thought I was going to sneak back into the house and my mother wouldn’t realise that I’d been out – so he said to me ‘Who are you?’ because he didn’t recognise me.  And I said ‘it’s Valerie’ and he said to me – ‘what’s that?’ And all the skin off my face was here …it was in my hand, and I just held it in my hand while we got in the car and he drove me into Jervis Street.” 

Phyllis Campbell was 16years old on the night of fire and was working as bar staff in another part of the Stardust venue. In Sunday night’s documentary, Phyllis recounts for the first time in a television interview the first signs of fire and the panic in the venue as they discovered the doors wouldn’t open.

Phyllis Campbell tells the Stardust documentary: “We were lounge girls and we would serve the drink to the tables, clear the glasses, we would wear a white blouse, black skirt, we were supposed to – that was our uniform.” 

“Everybody was excited to be going to the Stardust on Valentine’s night with a disco competition because most of the people that were in the disco competition – we knew” 

“We were in the Lantern Rooms tidying around, that function was coming to an end – one of the lounge staff came in to say there was a fire in the Stardust and we went into see.” 

She continues: “The flames was going across the ceiling then there was a gush of fire and it was like the material from the ceiling was falling on fire” 

“The lights went out… People screaming, glasses smashing, the roars of the fire – so we held on to each other and we went through the bar – I slipped and fell.” 

Phyllis says: “When we got outside it was as bad outside – the screams coming from inside… People that did go to exit doors had no chance – there was no way that they would have got out those doors because they were chained and because the toilet windows had bars on – there was no way out there. ‘Jesus help us get us out’ and then silence. Seeing people that you had spoke to a couple of minutes beforehand coming out black, covered in smoke and there was others trying to get back in cos their families were in there.” 

“I remember my aunt saying is it really really bad – and she saying half of Coolock is gone.” 

RTÉ’s Stardust documentary project is a comprehensive telling of the story of the tragedy, with candid testimony from eyewitnesses, contributions from survivors, bereaved families and first responders. As a companion to the documentary series, RTÉ invited families who delivered ‘pen portraits’ at the Inquest to record these testimonies and allow the wider public to know more about their loved ones who were lost on that night. The resulting collection of almost thirty such ‘pen portraits’ are available to watch now at www.rte.ie/stardust.

Across  the three-part documentary series, directed by Máire Kearney for RTÉ’s Documentary Unit, and the collection of ‘pen portraits’, Stardust consists of almost ten hours of personal testimony and aims to offer a comprehensive account of the events of the night, of those killed in the fire, and the experiences of those left to fight on their behalf.

Stardust starts on Sunday May 12th at 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Marks 20 Years as Title Sponsor of the Festival with special anniversary video

 https://youtu.be/fK99YKtxV8c

Ballyduff Drama Group, directed by Ger Canning, were crowned RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival champions for their performance of ‘The Ferryman’ by Jez Butterworth at the Gala Awards ceremony in Athlone’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday May 11th as the curtain came down on the 2024 RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival. The festival is held under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI).  2024 is a special year as it marks the 20th Year of RTÉ as title sponsor of the festival, and Adrian Lynch, Deputy Director General of RTÉ, presented the final award.

Dalkey Players, directed by Emma Jane Nulty, who presented ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Millar, were placed second, and first-time qualifiers Ballycogley Players, directed by Pat Whelan, who performed the farce ‘Out of Order’ by Ray Cooney were placed third.

Mark O’Brien, Executive Director, The Abbey Theatre, said they were delighted to continue their partnership with the festival. He announced that after much deliberations the winner of the Abbey Award for 2024 are Dalkey Players who presented ‘The Crucible’. He said that the Abbey looked forward to hosting the group on the Peacock stage in a number of weeks.

There was great excitement when the results were announced. No strangers to Athlone, Ballyduff Drama Group last won the All-Ireland in 2022. Their director Ger Canning also won the Best Director award. In addition, John Stack, playing Quinn Carney, won the award for best actor, and Mary Colbert, won the award for the best actress in a supporting role while Noel Hayes, won the award for the best stage management, and Donie O’Sullivan, took home the award for best stage setting.

Ballyduff Drama Group has been performing on the Three Act circuit for over forty years. During that time, they won the All Ireland on two occasions, in 2004 and in 2022 with ‘Rabbit Hole’. Last year they came second with their production of ‘The Welkin’. In performing the ‘Ferryman’ Ballyduff threw all caution to the wind when it came to the saying ‘never work with children or animals’! Their performance included appearances by a live and very engaging baby boy, a local baby named Paidi, a live goose and a rabbit!

‘The Ferryman’, by Jez Butterworth is set in Northern Ireland, 1981. The Carney farmhouse is a hive of activity with preparations for the annual harvest. A day of hard work on the land and a traditional night of feasting and celebrations lie ahead. But this year they will be interrupted by a visitor.

20^th Year of RTÉ as Title Sponsor – The Bride Rosney Award

To mark the 20^th year of RTÉ as title sponsor of the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival, a special one-off prize, the Bride Rosney Award, was awarded to newcomers from each group. Bride Rosney served as Director of Communications at RTÉ from 2002 to 2009. During her tenure, the partnership with the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival began and it was she who laid the foundations for the 20 years of success which followed. The inter-generational aspect of amateur drama groups was something Bride often referred to. She saw it as a torch that was carried through the generations and a fountain on which great communities would flourish.

To honour the memory of Bride Rosney and mark two decades of the partnership, the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival presented an award to the best newcomer from each group. Bride’s partner Peter McMenamin presented the awards. Awards in the category went to Shay Hannon, Ballycogley Players Drama Group, Seán Foley, Ballyduff Drama Group, Sam Asaylee, Ballyshannon Drama Society, Joseph Sunderland, Bridge Drama, Claudia Verdecchia, Clontarf Players, Rachel McConnell, Dalkey Players, Mickey Brannigan, Newpoint Players, Lauren Mitchel, Prosperous Dramatic Society and Naoise O’Connor, Wexford Drama Group.

Other award winners on the night included, Rachel O’Connor, Ballyshannon Drama Society, who took home the award for best actress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in the premiere of ‘Margaret’ by Shaun Byrne. The award for best actor in a supporting role went to Sean Carty, Ballycogley Players Drama Group.

The award for best stage lighting went to Cian Redmond, Wexford Drama Group. The Drama League of Ireland (DLI) Summer School Scholarship was awarded to Hannah Clabbey of Dalkey Players for her performance as Mary Warren in the Crucible.

Speaking at the awards the Festival Director, Regina Bushell, said that all the finalists are true masters of their craft. Quoting Kevin Bakhurst of RTÉ who said that in the same way that our national sports generate passion on the fields, the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival creates passion on the boards. Liam Hannaway ADCI Chair said that the standard was so high that any of the groups could grace a professional stage. He thanked RTÉ and the other sponsors for their support of drama. He commended the Abbey Theatre for their continued support of drama. He commended the adjudicator, Tom Byrne.

This year’s adjudicator at the festival was Mr Tom Byrne. He has over 45 years involvement with amateur drama and competed in his first festival in 1979. He has won numerous awards as a director, Since taking up adjudicating in 2011 he has adjudicated at ADCI qualifying festivals throughout Ireland. Commenting on the festival, Tom Byrne praised the 9 extraordinary groups singling out their talent and creativity.

Tom Byrne awarded the Adjudicator Award to Alison Rogers, Newpoint Players, for her truly exquisite masks for ‘In the Shadow of the Glen Reimagined’ by Sean Treanor after JM Synge.

Audiences were indeed treated to a fine display of theatre this year. Amongst the finalists were several premieres, that of a new Irish play, ‘Margaret’ about Margaret Thatcher in her final years, ‘In the Shadow of the Glen: Reimagined’ (after JM Synge), and a festival premiere of ‘Radium Girls’. Two Arthur Miller plays ‘A View from the Bridge’ and ‘The Crucible’ also featured. There were performances by two first time qualifiers, as well as performances by former winners and qualifiers!

NOTES

Award Categories:

• RTÉ Perpetual Trophy to the Overall Winner – Ballyduff Drama Group
• Best Director – Ger Canning, Ballyduff Drama Group
• Best Actor – John Stack, Ballyduff Drama Group
• Best Actress – Rachel O’Connor, Ballyshannon Drama Society
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Sean Carty, Ballycogley Players Drama Group
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Mary Colbert, Ballyduff Drama Group
• Best Stage Management – Noel Hayes, Ballyduff Drama Group
• Best Stage Lighting – Cian Redmond, Wexford Drama Group
• Best Stage Setting – Donie O’Sullivan, Ballyduff Drama Group
• Adjudicator Award – Alison Rogers, Newpoint Players
• Drama League of Ireland (DLI) Summer School Scholarship – Hannah Clabbey, Dalkey Players,
• The Abbey Theatre Award – Dalkey Players, who presented ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller.

The special one-off Bride Rosney Awards for newcomers went to Shay Hannon, Ballycogley Players Drama Group, Seán Foley, Ballyduff Drama Group, Sam Asaylee, Ballyshannon Drama Society, Joseph Sunderland, Bridge Drama, Claudia Verdecchia, Clontarf Players, Rachel McConnell, Dalkey Players, Mickey Brannigan, Newpoint Players, Lauren Mitchel, Properous Dramatic Society and Naoise O’Connor, Wexford Drama Group.

RTÉ Supporting the Arts: What’s On this May

Watch our YouTube promo here

This May RTÉ is delighted to support Dublin Dance Festival along with 20 other arts and cultural events nationwide.

RTÉ is supporting an array of fantastic events spanning from theatre, music, dance, literature, art, film and more. From music in Kilkenny, Galway, Waterford and Limerick to several diverse exhibitions and a series of theatre productions in Belfast, Dublin and across the country. 

• Dublin | Dublin Dance Festival www.dublindancefestival.ie
• Dublin | Glass Mask Theatre Glass Mask Theatre
• Waterford | Blackwater Valley Opera Festival https://blackwatervalleyopera.ie          
• Dublin | Turning Heads exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland www.nationalgallery.ie
• Dublin and Limerick | Chamber Chior Ireland – O My America www.chamberchoirireland.com
• Dublin | Abbey 120 years www.abbeytheatre.ie        
• Galway | Cellissimo 2024 https://musicforgalway.ie
• Nationwide | Bealtaine Festival www.bealtaine.ie 
• Dublin / International | Dublin Literary Award – 2024 Shortlist www.dublinliteraryaward.ie
• Wicklow | West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival www.westwicklowfestival.com
• Cork | Cork International Choral Festival www.corkchoral.ie
• Dublin, Derry~Londonderry, Letterkenny & international | Akihiko Okamura – The Memories of Others world premiere https://photomuseumireland.ie/akihiko-okamura
• Galway | Inishbofin Arts Festival 2024 http://inishbofinexperiences.ie              
• Dublin | The Pull of the Stars – The Gate www.gatetheatre.ie
• Dublin | Circle Mirror Transformation -The Gate www.gatetheatre.ie
• Dublin/International | International Literature Festival Dublin www.ilfdublin.com
• Kilkenny | Marble City Music Festival www.marblecitymusicfestuval.com   
• Belfast | Cailíní at the Lyric Theatre Belfast https://lyrictheatre.co.uk/
• Dublin | Dublin Street Photography Festival www.dspfestival.com
• Longford | Maria Edgeworth Festival of Literature & Art www.mariaegeworthcenter.com
• Dublin | Hilary Heron: A Retrospective www.imma.ie 

During 2023, RTÉ supported a record 170 arts and cultural events all over Ireland through the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme. Spanning film, music, dance, opera, festivals, literature, theatre and exhibitions, and with dedicated promotion on RTÉ’s television, radio and digital services, and extensive support across RTÉ’s social channels, the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme is a lifeline to Ireland’s creative and cultural sectors.

To find out more information about RTÉ Supporting the Arts and to apply click here. 

Find out what’s happening near you on www.rte.ie/culture

RTÉ has announced details of its coverage across digital, TV and Radio in the run up to the European Parliament Elections. These details are included below.

The RTÉ Election Steering Group has separately published our broad approach to the elections taking account of past court and regulatory decisions and the updated guidance issued by the Coimisiún na Meán. That document can be viewed here.

The overall consideration in our coverage is fairness – however fair treatment does not mean equal treatment between parties, groups and candidates.

RTÉ’s television, radio and digital election coverage

In addition to its extensive digital coverage, RTÉ will host three major live television debates on the European Elections across three consecutive weeks in the lead up to polling day. Presenters Katie Hannon, Miriam O’Callaghan, Sarah McInerney and Fran McNulty will host the TV debates.

Beginning on Monday 20th May, Upfront with Katie Hannon  will focus on the Midlands North-West constituency. On Thursday 30th  May, a Prime Time Election Debate special will focus on the Ireland South constituency. The final of RTÉ’s major TV debate of the campaign will see candidates in the Dublin constituency feature on a  Prime Time  Election Debate  on Tuesday 4th June.

With over 20 candidates in each constituency and more than 70 across the three European constituencies, RTÉ has set criteria for inviting candidates to the debates to ensure they are as informative and coherent as possible to best serve the audience.  The criteria will see a maximum of eight candidates in each of the above television debates.

In addition, RTÉ will broadcast a live TV special from Limerick for the first ever Mayoral Election. Upfront with Katie Hannon will be broadcast live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 27th May.

RTÉ’s comprehensive election campaign coverage will also see flagship current affairs programmes Six One News, Today with Claire Byrne,  Drivetime, The Week in Politics and This Week broadcast a range of European constituency based programmes featuring candidates in various formats, including live and pre-recorded reports, along with analysis by RTÉ’s journalists on each of the European constituencies.

Across television and radio, there will be a total of 15 European constituency based programmes in varying formats. There will be a fair allocation of live coverage that recognises electoral record, but also provides scope for RTÉ to provide airtime to a diverse range of views, in accordance with election rules set out by the regulator, Coimisiún na Meán.

RTÉ programmes including Morning Ireland, Six One News and This Week will broadcast on location from a number of towns and cities across the regions. Coverage of the upcoming local elections will also be featured across all RTÉ platforms in the coming weeks.

RTÉ’s extensive digital elections campaign coverage will include constituency profiles, explainer videos, articles and live blogs of key events across the RTÉ News app, RTÉ.ie and RTÉ’s social media channels.

Upfront with Katie Hannon Election Debate (Midlands Northwest) - Monday 20th May, on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

Prime Time Election Debate (Ireland South) - Thursday 30th May, on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

Prime Time Election Debate (Dublin) - Tuesday 4th June, on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player

Today with Claire Byrne (Ireland South) –  RTÉ Radio 1  

Drivetime (Dublin) – RTÉ Radio 1  

Drivetime (Midlands North West) – RTÉ Radio 1 

Six One News (South) –  RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

Six One News (Dublin) – RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

Six One News (Midlands North West) – RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

The Week in Politics (South) – RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

The Week in Politics (Midlands North West)- RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

The Week in Politics (Dublin) – RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

This Week (South) – RTÉ Radio 1 

This Week (Midlands North West) – RTÉ Radio 1 

This Week (Dublin) –  RTÉ Radio 1 

Upfront with Katie Hannon (Limerick Mayoral) - Monday 27th May, on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player 

Further programme details will issue in due course.

Programme details outlined above are as currently planned but may be subject to change.