Donegal woman Póilín Nic Géidigh has won a T. K. Whitaker Prize, a highly competitive award of the National University of Ireland.
Two Whitaker prizes, commemorating one of Ireland’s most distinguished public servants, are awarded each year to students who excel in degree courses at Masters level through the medium of Irish.
Professor Breandán Mac Suibhne of NUI Galway said: “It is a richly deserved reward. I am absolutely delighted to see Póilín get national attention for her work. And I am delighted too for the faculty who direct our Irish-language media studies programme, which provides Irish-language speakers a pathway to employment in media and communications.”
Póilín, a native of Gort an Choirce, said she was delighted with the prize but also doing the MA.
She said “I loved the MA. The practical elements were very hands-on and it was great to get placement experience in the media industry. Distance learning from Donegal allowed me to continue working in Donegal on different projects. I travelled to Galway once a month and my only regret is that I didn’t get to spend more time in that wonderful city!”
Póilín now works with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta in Doire Beaga.
She has previously been involved in television, broadcasting on TG4’s young people’s programming, “Cúla4 ar Scoil” and “Campa Cúla 4”.
A big fan of movies and television, Póilín started out her career in media doing Netflix and TV reviews.
“The practice-based part of the MA was a real draw for me. It is ideal for anybody who might be apprehensive about undertaking postgraduate study and created a fantastic and well-rounded foundation for my career in media,” she added.
Póilín may have to delay spending the €1,000 prizemoney as her preference is to holiday anywhere hot!
