RTÉ Drama
Winners announced in the RTÉ P.J. O’Connor Radio Drama Awards 2005
The winners of the RTÉ P.J. O’Connor Radio Drama Awards were announced this evening (Tuesday 24th May) at a ceremony in Studio 1 in the RTÉ Radio Centre.
The winner of the first prize of 3,000 Euro is John McManus, Cross, Ballyconnell, County Cavan for his play “No Hate Going To Loss” – a sparkling look at everyday life in a Cavan village executed with great style, panache and astonishing use of dialect and distinctive expressions. A comic tour-de-force.
The second prize of 2,000 Euro was awarded to Belinda McKeon, Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, for her play “Word of Mouth” a fearless, searing depiction of a young woman trying to cope with loss, loneliness and difficult family connections. Strong, well crafted, high quality writing.
The third prize winner of 1,000 Euro is. Padraig Denihan, Shanglas Road, Santry, Dublin 9, for his play “Mus Musculus” a playful look at a marriage mirrored by mice in the attic. Ingenious use of the possibilities of sound to explore human and animal relationships.
In the new fifteen-minute play category, the prize of €1,500 was awarded to A.M. Gillespie, Nutley Road, Dublin 4, for her play “Odi et Amo or Come On In The Water Is Lovely” a sensitive, delicate treatment of a woman caring for her senile mother. Excellent characterizations, interesting acoustical challenges and a well realized story within the time frame.
As well as the prize-money, the winners will receive the professional production of their plays and the chance to take part in a writer’s workshop.
The RTÉ P.J. O’Connor Radio Drama Awards were established 23 years ago to honour the late P. J. O’Connor, former Head of Drama in RTÉ Radio 1, who was noted for his encouragement of new talent. The aim of the competition is to encourage new writers to radio drama and to increase awareness of the possibilities and scope of radio as a medium in the field of drama.
This year a record 365 plays by writers from all over Ireland and overseas were entered into the competition. The plays were read by the producers in the RTÉ Radio Drama Department and the final shortlist was given to the adjudication panel which included Sebastian Barry, poet, playwright and novelist; Mick Lally – actor and founder of the Druid Theatre Company and Bairbre Ní Chaoimh, artistic director of Calypso Theatre Company.
Date: Tuesday 24 May 2004
Issued by RTÉ Radio
Further information: Jennifer Taaffe, Senior Press Officer, RTÉ Radio, (01) 208 2312 / 087 968 2085 or email HYPERLINK mailto:taaffej@rte.ie taaffej@rte.ie
SHORTLIST 2005
Half-Hour Play
“Going Home” by Walter Brennan
Rathgar, Dublin 6
“Would Like To Meet” by Jacqueline Corrigan
Oxmantown Road, Dublin 7
“Mus Musculus” by Padraig Denihan
Santry, Dublin 9
“Phelag’s Revenge” by Tina Fitzpatrick
Bray, Co. Wicklow
“Flee From Storms” by Neil P. Flynn
Tralee, County Kerry
“I.D.” by Marie Higgins
Goatstown, Dublin14
“Miracle” by Mark Lawlor
Bray, Co. Wicklow
“Word of Mouth” by Belinda McKeon
Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
“No Hate Going To Loss” by John McManus
Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan
“The Perfect Find” by Winifred McNulty
Mountcharles, Co. Donegal
“Pacific Rendezvous” by Mike Reynolds
Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow
“The Succession” by Richard Stearn
Blackrock, Co. Dublin
“The Currach” by Nick Wilkinson
London, England
Fifteen Minute Play
“Forensics” by George Carroll
Crumlin, Dublin 12
“Dear David” by Caroline Clarke
Birches Lane, Dundrum, Dublin 14
“Odi et Amo” by A.M. Gillespie
51 Nutley Road, Dublin 4
“The Gates” by Elizabeth Watts O’Neill
Bray, Co. Wicklow
“Cobwebs and Chandeliers” by Rosie Rowell
Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
“Breaker’s Life” by Stuart Smyth
Ashford, Co. Wicklow