A TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta Media Training Development Scheme was launched by Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with Seán Kyne TD, Chief Whip and Minister of State for Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht and the Islands during the Galway Film Fleadh.
The aim of the scheme is to support independent production companies to develop the skills and talent of an emerging generation of Irish speaking talent to work in the sector.
Ten independent production companies are participating in the scheme, with each company mentoring a trainee for a period of one year. Trainees will receive practical experience and expertise in specific skills areas such as Editors, Directors, Researchers, Assistant Producers and Production Development Staff.
The participating companies are spread the length and breadth of Ireland, from Dingle to Dublin and Galway to An Rinn. They specialise in various genres, from Young Peoples’ television to sport, factual to music, arts and drama. The companies are Macalla, Midas, Aniar, Fíbín, Telegael, Nemeton, Red Shoe, Iris, Ros na Rún and Tua Films.
Among the trainees are Galway students Niamh Ní Chualáin from Cladhnach in Carraroe who will be with Ros na Rún for the year. Ros na Rún is a soap opera set in the fictional village of Ros na Rún, focusing on the domestic and professional lives of its residents. The only soap in the world which is produced in the Irish language (English subtitles available ).
Filmed in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht in Galway on the Wild Atlantic Way, it is the single largest independent production commissioned in the history of Irish broadcasting and currently the most concentrated production centre outside of Dublin and Wicklow. Shot on a custom built studio lot in the coastal village of an Spidéal.
Three Galway-based production companies will also be taking on students from this scheme. Hannah Ní Bhriain from Quin in Clare will be working with Iris Production also based in Spiddal. Iris Productions is a full service production company based in Spiddal which specialises in sports, documentary, music and young peoples programming.
The multi-IFTA nominated company, helmed by executive producer Kieran Hartigan, has built a strong track record for innovation and quality output and is currently expanding to service one of the multi-annual output deals awarded by TG4 last year. Rónán Ó hArachtáin from Cavan town will be training with Fíbín nased in Baile na hAbhann.
Fíbín Media is Connemara based television production company, which was founded in 2008. The company sprang from its highly visual children’s theatre production company, Fíbín. The main objective of the production company is to create the highest in standards in production for the most important of audiences, young people.
Oisín Mistéil from Dublin will be joining Tua Films in Na Forbacha where he will be adding to the skills he acquired after his recent stint with Ros na Rún. Tua Films is a new production company established in na Forbacha by Paddy Hayes and Conall de Cléir to make dramas and documentaries for the Irish and international markets. Oisín Ó hEartáin originally from Indreabhán and now living in Corca Dhuibhne will join Aniar.
Established in 2017 Aniar is a realtivily new TV company with bases along the Western seaboard in the Kerry, Galway and Donegal Gaeltachts. With strong roots in those areas and a local workforce Aniar is at the forefront of a reinvigorated TV sector of which TG4 are the driving force. Aniar employs 8 full time staff and up to 10/12 more on a part time basis. It provides over 25 hours of TV to TG4 each year through popular TV series such as Sé Mo Laoch, Bailte, Bádóirí, Gael Boston Ár gClub and many more.
