On Tuesday night, November 23rd the second annual Irish Podcast Awards were held.
RTÉ had 15 nominations across 8 categories. Dispensing with Gold, Silver and Bronze this year further heightened the competition, with each category only offering a single gong, and a highly commended.
The awards were given at breakneck speed with 26 individual categories to deliver.
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The Documentary on One team took the prize for best documentary podcast for Blackrock Boys.
Producer Liam O’Brien, who couldn’t attend the awards sent this message of thanks: "The bravery shown by Mark and David Ryan opened the way for thousands of victims and survivors of child sex abuse to come forward. A Garda investigation was launched 3 days after the podcast published – and 13 files are now with the DPP awaiting criminal prosecution. The podcast has also led to what looks like the largest public inquiry in the history of the state as we grapple as a nation with our legacy of child sex abuse. Sadly, Mark Ryan died last September so he won’t get to see all of the impact he has made in deciding to speak out. But his brother David will – and will continue to fight the good fight. We dedicate this award to the memory of Mark Ryan and to all those victims and survivors yet to find their voice."
RTÉjr were up for 6 of the 7 nominations in the Family category, so were effectively competing with themselves. This was the only category that had 2 highly commended, with Kidcast and Scéalta both getting singled out for praise.
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The winner was Nero’s Class, written and produced by Bobby Aherne.
Talking about the win, and the 4 nominations across the awards, Bobby said: "We’re all thrilled to have won the Best Family podcast award, and extra thrilled to have also been shortlisted for the traditionally grown-up Best Fiction and Best Comedy awards. It’s a credit to our incredible actors, especially the youth cast of Rian Sheridan, Penny O’Dwyer and Elsie Akinduko – stars in the making."
And the station was recognized once more in the Rising Star Category. Bobby Aherne was Highly Commended, and the prize went to Céire O’Donoghue, the presenter producer of Kidcast.
Céire was delighted, saying: "I’m so very proud of the 300+ Children and 8 primary schools that put Kidcast on the map. It’s wonderful to see all of the children’s hard work and creativity recognised at amongst the best of Irish podcasting, and most importantly to know their voices have been heard."
All of the award winning podcasts are still widely available wherever you get your podcasts.
Get your RTÉjr Podcasts here.
Listen to more from Documentary on One here.
