RTÉ One's natural history series Ireland's Wild Islands has taken home the top prize of Best Series at the 2025 International Wildlife Film Festival in the US.
The jury praised the documentary show for its "enchanting blend of history, folklore, and rare wildlife behaviour", which they said is "a hallmark of the genre, but here delivered with an especially distinctive voice".
Speaking about their big win, director John Murray said: "We're so honoured to win this award up against the very best wildlife films from around the world and it's especially gratifying with such a personal Irish project. Our islands are very special places and vital sanctuaries for some of our most precious and wonderful wildlife."
RTÉ Head of Specialist Factual Colm O'Callaghan added: "RTÉ has a long and proud track record in the field of natural history filmmaking.
"We're fortunate to work regularly with a number of exceptional, regionally located production companies who consistently compete at - and with - the very highest of international standards.
"Crossing The Line Films, based in Westport, Co Mayo, are one of those companies. Ireland's Wild Islands is a terrific achievement, a generational series. And this award is testament to that."
The International Wildlife Film Festival is held annually in Montana and is one of the world's largest and most prestigious festivals for wildlife filmmakers celebrating excellence in natural history storytelling.
Aired over three parts on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, the series was hosted by presenter and naturalist Eoin Warner and follows him on an extraordinary voyage of discovery in a Galway Hooker through Ireland's western isles.
For Eoin Warner, it was a deeply personal journey undertaken in memory of his late father, who first introduced him to the wonders of the sea before he died in the Whiddy Island tragedy.
Ireland's Wild Islands, which was supported by Coimisiún na Meán through the Sound & Vision Fund, has also garnered international recognition at three of the world's other leading wildlife film festivals - Wildscreen in the UK, Jackson Wild in the US, and Green Screen in Germany.
At home, it won Best Specialist Factual Series at the 2024 RTS (Royal Television Society) Ireland Awards.
The series was commissioned by RTÉ and produced by Co Mayo's Crossing the Line Productions, in partnership with Blue Ant Media (Canada), the European public service channel ARTE, the Canadian broadcaster Love Nature, the Western Region Audiovisual Producers (WRAP) Fund based in Co Galway, and Tourism Ireland.
