Cavan producer wins IMRO Silver award

Broadcaster Joe Finnegan inducted to Hall of Fame.

A radio drama directed and produced by Kevin McCann won Silver at the recent IMRO awards.

'Sniper Joe & Sister Jim' was written by Seamus McRory, who co-created the 'Gumgoogly' series for RTÉ Radio 1 as well as 'The Maroon Bros' Good Time Radio Show' for Newstalk, was directed and produced by McCann (Maccana Teoranta) who previously made the award-winning series ‘Coma’ for Newstalk.

The cast is led by Tina Kellegher (The Snapper, Ballykissangel), Mikel Murfi (Jimmy’s Hall, Barabas), Pat Deery (Leap Year) and Geri Maye (The Den, Winning Streak).

Set in the final year of Ireland’s decade of centenaries, the radio play Sniper Joe & Sister Jim presents an unholy account of Ireland’s ‘fight for freedom’ and asks the question “What if the stupidest man in Irish history had been tasked with kicking the British Empire out of Ireland?”

The awards were given out on Friday evening at the annual industry event, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Oliver Callan, at Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny.

Four inductees to the Hall of Fame took to the stage at the Lyrath. John Bennett MBE (BBC Radio Ulster), Joe Finnegan (Shannonside/Northern Sound), Paddy Halpenny (formerly of Communicorp) and Mary Wilson (RTÉ Radio 1) were greeted with a standing ovation for their contributions to Irish Radio.

The Outstanding Achievement Award this year was won by Radiocentre Ireland and was accepted by Ciaran Cunningham, CEO of Radiocentre Ireland.