Big Mountain Productions land IFTA for Wild Ireland

Jane Kelly and Philip McGovern of Big Mountain Productions with their IFTA

There were celebrations for Dundalk-based Big Mountain Productions as they landed an award at last night’s IFTAs.

They scooped Best Factual programme for ‘Wild Ireland’ which was broadcast on ITV1.

The award was collected on the night by Creative Director Jane Kelly and company head Philip McGovern.

Wild Ireland followed Christine Bleakley going home to Ireland on a very special trip. It shows her drive, climb, walk and swim her way along the longest continuous coastal route in the world, Ireland’s 2500km long Wild Atlantic Way. On the way she met a host of fascinating characters as she explored the entire route from Malin Head in the north to Clonakilty in the south. Along the way she uncovers a landscape of natural wonder.

Also at last night’s IFTAs, Dundalk-born actress Deirdre O’Kane won the Best Lead Actress Film award for her role in Noble.

Dundalk woman Lynda McQuaid appointed new director of content with TV3

Lynda McQuaid

Local woman Lynda McQuaid has been appointed by as the new director of content with TV3.

She will replace Jeff Ford, who is returning to the UK in April.

McQuaid, from the Seafield Road in Blackrock, is known as one of Ireland’s foremost TV producers and directors, having produced a string of shows such as The Apprentice, MasterChef, The Voice and You’re a Star.

She has acquired eight IFTA nominations and two IFTA awards.

Lynda’s career began in Granada Television’s entertainment division where she worked on shows such as ‘Stars in Their Eyes’, ‘You’ve Been Framed!’ and ‘This Morning’. She subsequently joined the BBC in 1997 and produced the then unknown Peter Kay on ‘The Sunday Show’. Later that decade she returned to Granada as launch producer for the newly formed ITV2.

Most recently she has worked as executive producer for CBBC in Media City in Manchester and with Communicorp in Dublin.

“I have long wanted to bring Lynda into TV3 as one of Ireland’s most creative TV producers. Her appointment further emphasises TV3’s commitment to origination and production standards, and she was the outstanding candidate to deliver TV3’s brand proposition ‘We Entertain’,” said David McRedmond, TV3 Group CEO.

On her appointment, Lynda said: “I am delighted to be joining Ireland’s leading commercial broadcaster at the most exciting time in its short history. TV3 has proven to be the most innovative force in Irish TV and its brand proposition plays to my strengths and experience. I look forward to developing TV3 Group beyond its current channel line-up and to launch major hit shows in the years ahead.

“TV3’s role is to delight audiences and reward advertisers, and that is what I intend to deliver through the talented production and programming teams in Ballymount.”