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Six Nominations for TG4 Programmes in the Celtic Media Festival Torc Awards of Excellence

16.03.23

 
TG4 has received six nominations for the 2023 Celtic Media Festival Torc Awards for Excellence announced today. This year’s festival will be the 44th Celtic Media Festival and it will take place in An Clochán Liath (Dungloe) in Donegal from the 6th – 8th of June 2023.
 
TG4 received nominations across multiple genres. An Cailín Ciúin received two nominations for this year’s festival. These categories include Single Drama and Spirit of the Festival.
 
An Cailín Ciúin is the feature film debut of writer/director, Colm Bairéad and producer, Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal. The film has received numerous awards over the past year leading to an Oscar nomination earlier this week. An Cailín Ciúin tells the story of Cáit (played by newcomer Catherine Clinch), a nine-year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with foster parents for the summer. Despite a warm reception from the woman, Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), the man of the house, Seán (Andrew Bennett), keeps his distance from Cáit and she from him, but over time, their strained relationship begins to deepen. Slowly, in the care of the Kinsellas, Cáit blossoms and discovers a new way of living. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth. Based on Foster by Claire Keegan, An Cailín Ciúin is a complex and delicate coming-of-age drama that explores questions of family, neglect and loss through the eyes of its young protagonist.
 
Seán Ó Riada – Mo Sheanathair has been shortlisted in the Feature Documentary category. Fifty years after his death in 1971, Sean Ó Riada’s granddaughter Doireann Ní Ghlacáin resolves to find out more about this divisive and iconic figure. By charting her grandfather’s life and times, we uncover the true Ó Riada, in a moving tribute to this giant of Irish cultural life. With performances from Iarla Ó Lionáird, Barry Douglas, Nell Ní Chróinín, Cór Chúil Aodha & Peadar Ó Riada and interviews with contemporaries and family. A seminal feature length documentary giving an intimate portrayal of Ó Riada like never before. Produced by Táin Media.
 
Láithreachais Cúla4 – Caitheamh Aimsire has been nominated for a Torc Award in the Short Form category. This series is about young people from around the country who tell us about their favourite hobbies. Produced by Fibín.
 
In the Factual Entertainment category Slí na mBeaglaoich has received a nomination. Father and son, Breanndán and Cormac Ó Beaglaíoch take on an epic Irish musical journey together in their beloved campervan named ‘Beauty’. They travel along a stunning route through Cork all the way to Wicklow, immersing themselves in the rich musical and cultural tapestry of the South and Southeast of Ireland. In this series, they take on a route through four of Ireland’s most stunning coastal counties, in search of great stories, tunes, songs and of course, meeting with some incredible characters along the way. Produced by Tyrone Productions.
 
Laochra Gael-Terence McNaughton has been shortlisted in sports documentary category. The documentary tells the extraordinary story of Antrim hurler, Terence McNaughton. As a boy, McNaughton suffered abuse and exclusion because of his speech impediment. He found release on the playing field, but the life of a hurler was perilous in the North in the 1980s. Because of his fame as a player, he was targeted for assassination by the UDA. In spite of all of this, he became the heartbeat of the team that pulled off the biggest shock in the history of Gaelic Games, a team that will be remembered forever. Produced by Nemeton.
 
Alan Esslemont Director General TG4 and Chair Celtic Media Festival said, “TG4 is delighted to receive six nominations for the Celtic Media Festival Torc Awards. These nominations showcase TG4’s range of high-quality productions for our audiences. We look forward to this year’s festival in Dún na nGall to celebrate the best of Celtic Media.”