The prestigious Celtic Media Festival is an annual celebration of the best of film, television, radio and digital media from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man. The event, which took place in Scotland this month, promotes the richness of Celtic heritage, language and culture.
‘Na Cloigne’ beat off competition from hit drama series Sherlock, as well as Lip Service, Single Father, Istoriou Breizh and Pen Taler, to be selected as best drama.
‘Na Cloigne’ was originally chosen over a number of other English and Irish language productions, including Love/Hat’,‘Raw and An Crises, to represent Ireland in the ‘Drama Series’ category at this international festival.
The standard at the Celtic Media Festival is extremely high, with the event attracting major drama productions from major broadcasters such as BBC, RTE, UTV, TG4 and Channel 4.
The shortlist for the ‘Drama Series’ category at the Celtic Media Festival was:
- Na Cloigne ROSG, Ireland
- Sherlock Hartswood Films, Wales
- Lip Service Kudos Films, Scotland
- Single Father Red Production Company, Scotland
- Istoriou Breizh Pois Chiche, Brittany
- Pen Taler Fiction Factory, Wales
Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Producer of ‘Na Cloigne’, says:
“We are extremely proud that ‘Na Cloigne’ has been awarded best ‘Drama Series’ at the Celtic Media Festival. To be chosen above acclaimed international drama series, such as Sherlock and Lip Service, is a huge honour and recognition for the hard work, dedication and talent of the ‘Na Cloigne’ cast and crew. This award is further proof of the ability to produce Irish language productions which can compete with the best English language productions both at home and abroad.”
‘Na Cloigne’, which translates as ‘The Heads’, features a young couple at the centre of an investigation into the violent and gruesome murders of two women. Directed by Robert Quinn and produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh for ROSG, a Conamara based film and television production company, the series was originally broadcast as a three part series on TG4 early last year and a feature length film version was broadcast on TG4 over Halloween.
‘Na Cloigne’ focuses on the discovery of the naked and decapitated bodies of two young women in the woods. Local artist Nuala (Siobhan O’Kelly) and her adulterous boyfriend Seán (Dara Devaney) find themselves at the heart of the brutal murder inquiry as jealousy, lust and insecurity drives their relationship to breaking point. The programme moves into paranormal territory when the mysterious Superintendent Ó Sé (Barry McGovern) arrives on the scene and calls upon his supernatural intuition to try and unravel the murder mystery.
‘Na Cloign’e boasts a host of renowned Irish acting talent including Dara Devaney and Siobhán O Kelly starring as troubled couple Seán and Nuala, with Barry McGovern playing the psychic Superintendent who comes to their aid. Among the supporting cast are well known Irish language actors Mac dara Ó Fatharta, Joe Steve Ó Neachtain and Áine Ní Dhroighneáin.
‘Na Cloigne’ was funded by TG4, The Irish Film Board, The BAI and private investment through 481.