Shirley Ní Ríagáin’s Irish language programme ‘Gaeilge Bhriste’ on West Limerick 102FM has been shortlisted for the Oireachtas Media Awards 2020 in the category Irish Language Radio Programme of the Year on Community Radio. The awards, presented annually, recognise excellence of standard, quality and creativity in the Irish language media sector.
“I am both delighted and proud to have made the shortlist as I have put a lot of effort and love into choosing the format and crafting the programme, which, to date, has been running for an unbroken 42 weeks – including 11 weeks of working and recording from home during lockdown!,” Ms Ní Ríagáin revealed.
“Initially, when I was asked to make an Irish language programme for West Limerick 102FM, I found the request appealing and daunting in equal measure. I wanted to create a programme which would be entertaining for a confident or fluent speaker of Irish and encouraging and stimulating for listeners who were less confident with the language. I wanted to preserve and promote traditional music, songs, sayings and customs while highlighting modern Irish music, poets and artists currently working in the language, in order to understand and embrace the living language – ‘beatha teanga í a labhairt’ – Large aims for an hour a week!,” she said.
The Awards Ceremony, a gala event of celebration and a valuable networking occasion for the industry in previous times, will adopt a very different format this year in compliance with regulations regarding the Coronavirus pandemic but will adhere to the usual timeline. Award winners therefore will be announced on Wednesday, 28th October, but details of the ceremony will only be released closer to the date.
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