News

Christopher Cleary - another great win

03 October 2010

Christopher Cleary, who last received the Ake Blomstrom scholarship for his radio documentary '8 Years On', has been awarded a Bronze medal in the Human Relations category of the World Radio Awards, held in New York in September 2010. Over 2000 programs from some of the world's largest networks were entered for the competition, including BBC, RTE, NPR, CBC and ABC, and is one of the most prestigious in the world of radio broadcasting.

Christopher is a final year student on the BA in Communications degree at DCU. He is currently rewriting a famous novel as a radio drama for his thesis, which forms part of his final year examinations. He is currently awaiting news of a funding application made to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and expects to hear the results of their decision in October. If he is successful he will bring to production a four part documentary series, 'Lives and Landmark', which will focus on four major landmark attractions in Dublin and how they affect peoples lives. If the funding is approved, production will begin the first week of November.

In addition, Christopher has been nominated for the Production and Programming awards of Ireland, in the Best Documentary category. The ceremony will take place on Friday 8 October 2010 in Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny.

Christopher hopes to spend the month of June 2011 in New York, to record a four part series on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The series will focus on the Irish lives in America that have been affected by the tragedy.

8 Years On
'8 Years On' documents the life of his own mother, Lynda Barton, who overcame a 20-year heroin addiction and became a fully-qualified counsellor. Christopher recounts his upbringing in Dublin, tracing his relationship with his mother during her years of deteriorating health, and subsequently during her recuperation from the ravages of addiction. The title of the documentary, ‘Eight Years On’ documents Lynda’s road to recovery and celebrates her eighth anniversary free from drugs.