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.”

Róisín Dooley to host violin recital in Carlingford next month

Violinist Róisín Dooley will host a violin recital, accompanied by pianist Patrick Coyle, in the Carlingford Heritage Centre on Sunday May 11th.

The event gets underway at 3pm with music from Bach, Debussy, Chausson, Sarasate, Szymanowski, Kroll and Gershwin.

Róisín started her studies at the age of six with Teresa McArdle and later with Fr Brendan Mc Nally. From a young age Róisín took part in many music festivals including Feis Ceoil where she won numerous prizes. She was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland for several years.

Róisín was selected to represent Ireland at the International Millennium Music Festival in Leeds, England in 2000. Before Róisín commenced her further studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester under Wen Zhou Li, she gave her first solo recital in Carlingford. Four years later Róisín graduated with a BMus Degree.

Since graduating she enjoys performing with Castleward Opera, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Fr McNally Chamber Orchestra. Before commencing her masters Róisín furthered her studies with Michael D’Arcy.

Róisín was also soloist with the Fr McNally Chamber Orchestra in November 2013.

Róisín is currently in her second year as a MA student in the Cork School of Music, under the tutelage of Ruxandra Petcu-Colan. This is her third and final recital for the above course.

Admission to her show on Sunday May 11th is €15 or €10 with concession.