Manchán Magan remembered at Gradaim RTS last night
The late Manchán Magan, RIP, was remembered when the winners of the 2026 Royal Television Society (RTS) Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS were announced last night at the annual event, this year in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
Manchán was named posthumous winner of An Gradam Comaoine | Outstanding Contribution Award, and it was presented by Fiachna Ó Braonáin to Manchán’s sister, Liadain Von Der Decken, his mother, Cróine Magan, and his niece, Finnia Von Der Decken.
As it was RTÉ’s turn to host this year, the awards were presented by RTÉ Radio 1’s Louise Duffy and RTÉ 2FM’s Aisling Bonner (below) in front of 400 guests from across Ireland’s television industry.
Awards were announced across the 12 categories decided by the RTS judging panel, as well as two special awards – the Breakthrough Talent Award and Outstanding Contribution Award.
In addition, the RTS Audience Choice Award, which was voted for by the public and gave Irish audiences the opportunity to recognise their favourite television show that has been broadcast in 2025 on one of the partner broadcasters (Virgin Media Television, RTÉ, TG4 or Sky).
The Gradaim RTS / RTS Ireland Awards recognise outstanding achievement across programme making, performance, craft and design, journalism, student work and more, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the television industry in Ireland.
The award for Special Recognition is decided by the RTS ROI Committee and presented to a person or group of people that have made a significant contribution to the Irish television scene over a number of years.
The Gradaim RTS / RTS Ireland Awards are sponsored by Screen Producers Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Screen Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, Screen Ireland, IMRO, Screen Scene, Piranha Bar, Egg Post Productions, TVM, CameraKit.ie, Production People, NEP and Nemeton TV.
>>> This year’s winners are…
CATEGORY: Audience Choice Award
Presented by RTÉ News2day Presenter – Florence Okojie
>>> WINNER: The Walsh Sisters
CATEGORY: Scripted / Réamhscriptithe
Presented by RTÉ and TG4 broadcaster – Sinéad Ní Uallacháin
>>> WINNER: Obituary Season 2 – Magamedia & APC | RTÉ
• Mix Tape – Subotica & Aquarius Films | RTÉ
• Obituary Season 2 – Magamedia & APC | RTÉ
• Video Nasty – Deadpan Pictures | Virgin Media Television
• The Walsh Sisters – Metropolitan Pictures & Cuba Pictures | RTÉ
• The Young Offenders Series 4 – Vico FIlms | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Entertainment / Siamsaíocht (Sponsored by Piranha Bar)
Presented by Virgin Media Television’s Ireland AM presenter – Alan Hughes
>>> WINNER: The Traitors Ireland – Kite Entertainment | RTÉ
• Beo ón Electric Picnic – 84/Ochtó4 Productions | TG4
• Christmas in Kilmainham – RTÉ | RTÉ
• No Worries If Not! – Wonky Chair Media | RTÉ
• The Six O’Clock – Virgin Media Television | Virgin Media Television
• The Traitors Ireland – Kite Entertainment | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Factual Series / Sraith Fhíorasach (Sponsored by Egg Post Production)
Presented by Virgin Media Television’s Ireland AM presenter – Eric Roberts
>>> WINNER: NORAID: Irish America & The IRA – Up and Away Media | RTÉ
• Bad Nanny – Alleycats Films | RTÉ
• Death of a Showjumper – Walk on Air Films & Sky Studios | Sky Ireland
• Hooked: How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain – Cable Rock Pictures | RTÉ
• NORAID: Irish America & The IRA – Up and Away Media | RTÉ
• Tarrac na Farraige – Red Shoe Productions | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Factual Single / Clár Fíorasach Aonair (Sponsored by Coimisiún na Meán)
Presented by RTÉ Broadcaster – Marty Morrissey
>>> WINNER: Ransom ’79 – John Kelleher Media | Virgin Media Television
• Beo Faoin bhFód – Black Lobster Productions | TG4
• Don’t Forget to Remember – Motherland | RTÉ
• Meat Loaf: From Hell and To Connaught – Scratch Films | RTÉ
• Ransom ’79 – John Kelleher Media | Virgin Media Television
• President Connolly: How The Race Was Won – RTÉ | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Live Sport Coverage – Spórt Beo (Sponsored by TVM)
Presented by Virgin Media News Broadcaster – Colette Fitzpatrick
>>> WINNER: WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025 – RTÉ | RTÉ
• British & Irish Lions v Argentina – 1888 Cup – IRIS Productions | TG4
• FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Hungary v Republic of Ireland – RTÉ | RTÉ
• GAA BEO: SÁR-DHOMHACH/SUPER SUNDAY – Nemeton TV | TG4
• Rugbaí Beo: URC Final 2025 – Leinster v Vodacom Bulls – IRIS Productions | TG4
• WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025 – RTÉ | RTÉ
CATEGORY: News Broadcaster of The Year / Craoltóir Nuachta na Bliana (Sponsored by Camerakit.ie)
Presented by presenter of ‘An Deis’ on TG4 – Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile
>>> WINNER: RTÉ
• RTÉ
• Sky Ireland
• Virgin Media Television
CATEGORY: Children’s Programming / Cláracha do Leanaí
Presented by Animator whose work appears on Sky and RTÉ – Will Sliney
>>> WINNER: Maddie + Triggs – Turnip + Duck | RTÉ
• Fia’s Fairies S2 – Little Moon Animation | RTÉ
• Maddie + Triggs – Turnip + Duck | RTÉ
• New Wave – Gone West Media & Orangutan Productions| RTÉ
• No Worries! – D11 Stories | RTÉ
• Showkids – Dead Pan Pictures | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Specialist Factual / Sainchlár Fíorasach (Sponsored by Screenscene)
Presented by TG4 weather presenter – Caitríona Nic an tSaoir
>>> WINNER: Housewife of the Year – Little Wing Films | RTÉ
• Battle of the Irish Dancers – Big Mountain Productions | Sky Ireland
• Imelda May: Amhráin na nGael – Red Shoe Productions | RTÉ
• Housewife of the Year – Little Wing Films | RTÉ
• Oileán Glas, Fásach Bán – Crossing the Line Productions | TG4
• NORAID: Irish America & The IRA – Up and Away Media | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Factual Entertainment / Siamsaíocht Fhíorasach (Sponsored by IMRO)
Presented by presenters – Brian Dowling and Katja Mia
WINNER: Uncharted With Ray Goggins – Diffusion Media | RTÉ
• DIY SOS – The Big Build Ireland – Indiepics | RTÉ
• Gogglebox Ireland – Kite Entertainment | Virgin Media Television
• Living With Lucy & Caitlyn Jenner – ADARE Productions | Virgin Media Television
• The Traitors Ireland Uncloaked – The Lab RTÉ | RTÉ
• Uncharted With Ray Goggins – Diffusion Media | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Current Affairs / Cúrsaí Reatha (Sponsored by Nemeton TV)
Presented by Virgin Media Television’s Ireland AM presenter – Martin King
>>> WINNER: DJ Carey – Hero to Zero | RTÉ
• Prime Time: DJ Carey – Hero to Zero | RTÉ
• Iniúchadh TG4 – Trump agus na Gaeil – Clean Slate | TG4
• Prime Time: Death on a Doorstep – RTÉ | RTÉ
• RTÉ Investigates: Inside Ireland’s Nursing Homes – RTÉ | RTÉ
• First Conviction – RTÉ | RTÉ
CATEGORY: Sports Documentary / Clár Faisnéise Spóirt (Sponsored by NEP)
Presented by Virgin Media Television’s Ireland AM presenter – Muireann O’Connell
WINNERS: Camogie: Inside the Championship – Kite Entertainment & True Films | RTÉ
• Camogie: Inside the Championship – Kite Entertainment & True Films | RTÉ
• Clár Faisnéise Spóirt George Best i gCorcaigh – Dearg Films | TG4
• Hell For Leather: The Story of Gaelic Football – Crossing the Line Productions | RTÉ
• One Valentine’s Day in Edinburgh – Carbonated Comet Productions | RTÉ
• This is Open Country – Rocky Valley Productions | Sky Ireland
CATEGORY: Short Film / Gearrscannáin (Sponsored by Screen Ireland)
Presented by Virgin Media Television’s Ireland AM presenter – Deric Hartigan
>>> WINNERS: Grace – Invisible Thread | RTÉ
• Glitch – Dyehouse Films | RTÉ
• Grace – Invisible Thread | RTÉ
• The Ick – Playbook Media | RTÉ
• Santa’s Holiday – Ink and Light | RTÉ
• Trasna na Líne – Reblis Films | Virgin Media Television
CATEGORY: Breakthrough Talent Award
Presented by RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars judge – Arthur Gourounlian
>>> WINNER: Eric Roberts
This award is decided by the RTS ROI Committee and recognises new and emerging professional excellence in the role of Presenter, Journalist, Show Host, Interviewer, Commentator or Cast Member.
CATEGORY: An Gradam Comaoine | Outstanding Contribution Award
Presented by RTÉ Radio 1 presenter – Fiachna Ó Braonáin
>>> WINNER: Manchán Magan
Music performances at the awards were from Jerry Fish and the Discovery Gospel Choir, with Gavin Murphy on keys and guitar.