Thirteen radio productions across Ireland and Northern Ireland are to receive support through the first round of the Shared Island Shared Stories scheme.
Coimisiún na Meán has announced €3.92 million in funding for 27 broadcasting projects, including 13 radio and 14 television productions, under the Sound & Vision scheme.
The funding forms part of the €14 million Shared Island Media Fund, which is being delivered over three years to encourage collaboration between broadcasters and independent producers across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Among the successful radio projects is Laoithe na bhFiann, an Irish language series for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta which will revive lost melodies from the 17th century Duanaire Finn through storytelling, historical discussion and newly created music.
LMFM Radio will broadcast Left Back, a drama exploring shared cultural identities through sport and youth culture, involving young actors and production crews from both sides of the border.
Connemara Community Radio will also receive funding for A Belfast Boy in Connemara, a historical documentary examining migration, religion, class, language and identity through shared experiences of friendship, work and emigration.
Approximately 98% of the funding awarded in this round will go to independent producers.
Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “They reflect the island’s cultural wealth and diversity by presenting stories from different traditions, regions, languages and generations.”
The projects will explore subjects including peacebuilding, the legacy of conflict, cultural traditions, migration and contemporary identity, with productions featuring English, Irish and Ulster Scots.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also welcomed the funding, highlighting the range of subjects and languages represented among the successful applications.
This is the first of three dedicated Shared Island Shared Stories funding rounds planned under Sound & Vision.
Coimisiún na Meán will also establish Shared Island Media Fora, develop journalism funding initiatives and support new creative projects through a separate Shared Island Stories & Experiences fund.
