Newry-based TV company Big Mountain Productions has picked up a major award at this year's prestigious Celtic Media Festival, being held this week in Newquay, Cornwall, England.
Celebrating 20 years of programme making, the multi-award winning company, based in the city's MJM Business Park, beat off tough competition to pick up the Best Live Music Programme (on screen) for its special documentary 'An Bothy Band'.
The Bothy Band, Ireland’s foremost traditional music band was specially reunited by Big Mountain for the documentary, made for TG4, with assistance from The Irish Language Broadcast Fund and Coimisuin Na Mean Sound and Vision Fund.
They burst into life in late 1974 and although their star radiated for barely five years they released four albums to wide critical acclaim, gaining enormous popular status.
With special interviews and behind the scenes rehearsals footage this unique documentary looked into the Bothy Band and their legacy.
The band’s surviving members Matt Molloy, Dónal Lunny, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Kevin Burke, Paddy Glackin and Paddy Keenan reunited for the very special live performance.
Jane Kelly, Co-CEO of Big Mountain Productions, said: "We are thrilled to be awarded the iconic Celtic Media Torc and grateful to Tom Sherlock and The Bothy Band for trusting us with their rock'n roll lifestory and first gig in 40 years!
"We love making live music event programming like 'Opry Le Daniel' and 'Gradam Ceoil' and to be recognised by our industry peers for the work we do is just fantastic."
'An Bothy Band' is available to watch now on the TG4 player at https://bit.ly/3HHs5uo
TG4’s Ard-Stiúrthóir Deirdre Ní Choistín, congratulated the winning entry, saying; “For TG4 to win a top award at the Celtic Media Festival despite the most challenging international competition, is a testimony to the quality and creativity of the independent producers who are our partners.”
The Celtic Media Festival (CMF) is one of the most prestigious and long-established in these islands and is held each year, rotating between venues in the various Celtic nations and regions. It combines a three-day media conference that attracts broadcasters, producers, media and students with a competition across the full range of Film, TV, Radio and new media content genres. CMF awards are highly coveted. This year’s Festival is taking place in Newquay, Cornwall. More information available here Newquay 2025
Find out more at www.bigmountainproductions.com


