The 31st Celtic Media Festival came to a close

The 31st Celtic Media Festival came to a close at The Canal Court Hotel in Newry tonight as the final three award winners were announced at the Gala Dinner.

The Radio Station of The Year Award was presented to Scotland's BBC Radio nan Gaidheal for the consistently high standards of professionalism and creativity in their programming.

The Spirit of the Festival Award was presented to Apollo Boomerang and S4C for MARTHA JAC A SIANCO.   The Gold Torc goes to a film or television programme wholly or substantially in a Celtic language.  MARTHA JAC A SIANCO centres on Martha and her two brothers as they struggle to come to terms with changes in their lives following their mother's death.  The film is an adaptation of the successful contemporary novel by Caryl Lewis. The book was given a rapturous welcome when it was first published in 2004, and went on to win the Welsh Book of the Year Prize.

The Jury Award is a special award made at the discretion of the international jury for quality of production, direction, technical or craft excellence.  This year's winner is TORMOD, searing and poignant documentary about the Highland superstar who never was, produced by BBC Alba and Pure Magic Films.  TORMOD is an intensely moving, beautifully cinematic portrayal of Norman McLean, Scotland's multi-talented polymath - musician, author, singer, comedian, and actor, whose life has been blighted by chronic alcoholism.

Despite the logistical challenges of the volcanic ash clouds, this year's festival has been hailed by organisers and delegates as a great success.  The Celtic Media Festival now looks forward to welcoming delegates to next year's festival in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland in April 2011.

For further information on The Celtic Media Festival, please visit: http://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk/.