Unknown writer scoops national drama gong

An unknown writer was today plucked from obscurity over well-known figures from the world of film and television as the winner of a national drama award.

Ciaran Gray, a primary teacher from the North Strand in Dublin, scooped top prize in the PJ O’Connor Radio Drama Awards for his play ’In the Real World’.

The 45-year-old beat off experienced competition from comedian Kevin Gildea and award-winning playwright Garrett Keogh to take first place at the annual ceremony.

Adrian Moynes, Managing Director of RTE Radio, presented the overall winner with a €3,000 cheque while the state broadcaster is to produce the play and air it later this year.

“Ciaran’s radio drama ’In the Real World’ is a well-crafted and professional piece of radio writing that entertains and amuses using snapshots of modern Irish society,” said the managing director.

The 30-minute comedy about people trying to find the right place and person to fall in love with was described by the judging panel as a “fast, funny and elegant play that used snappy dialogue to introduce chat up lines and contemporary concepts such as computer dating”.

Dun Laoghaire stand-up comic Kevin Gildea picked up the second prize for his radio play ’Story’ about stories and how they are told.

The judging panel described the unconventional play as an “anarchic comedy, more grey than black, a surreal piece of writing with a good sense of the ridiculous”.

The comedian is known for his television appearances on Channel 4’s Father Ted, BBC 2’s Haywire sketch show and RTE’s culture show The View.

Third prize was awarded to Wexford actor, writer and director Garrett Keogh for his play ’Nancy’ about the the life of a nursing home resident.

The judges described the play as “a very Irish story that is a lament for a sad life but is not sentimental and has a fantastic ending”.

Mr Keogh won a Stewart Parker prize last year for his play ’Dog Show: Shep’ while his play ’Dog Show: Fido’ will premiere at the Dublin Fringe Festival in September.

The PJ O’Connor Radio Drama Awards were established 23 years ago to honour the late former Head of Drama in RTE Radio 1, known for his encouragement of new talent.