Lifetime Achievement Award for journalist Cathal Mac Coille

Broadcaster worked for RTÉ and Teilifís na Gaeilge

The 2026 Oireachtas Lifetime Achievement Award (Buaic-Ghradam Cumarsáide an Oireachtais) will be presented to renowned journalist and broadcaster Cathal Mac Coille, who has long been regarded as one of the most respected and authoritative political commentators in Ireland. Mac Coille worked in RTÉ, in both radio and television, for many years, as a journalist, reporter, and presenter, and also served as the first political correspondent for Teilifís na Gaeilge (now TG4) when the station was established in 1996. He reported on major political events across the island of Ireland, the United States and further afield; he provided political analysis of world events and has contributed, in Irish and in English, to number of newspapers and other publications. He currently has a weekly column on www.tuairisc.ie.

The Oireachtas Lifetime Achievement Award is an illustrious mark of excellence and presented annually to an individual, organisation, or initiative in recognition of outstanding and sustained contribution to the Irish-language media sector.

An tOireachtas is a aultural, arts and language organisation founded in 1897 to promote Irish language literature and performing arts. The national arts and culture festival, Oireachtas na Samhna, established in 1897, is the annual showcase event organised by An tOireachtas. The 2026 festival will be held in Killarney, Co Kerry from 28th October to 1st November.

Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas said: “An tOireachtas is proud to present the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award to Cathal Mac Coille. He has produced a distinguished body of work since his early venture into the world of media in the mid-seventies. His keen analytical acumen, his profound understanding of political affairs, and clear, articulate, candid manner of presentation are evident in every aspect of his work—in journalism, reporting, and broadcasting. Cathal is a richly deserving recipient of this award and I congratulate him on his exceptional contribution to Irish journalism and broadcasting over the years.”

Cathal Mac Coille stated: “I am proud and touched to have been chosen for this award by An tOireachtas. Thanks also to the editor of Tuairisc.ie for continuing to publish my work and to everyone who thinks it’s worth reading.”

A native of Dublin, Mac Coille was educated at Coláiste Mhuire and subsequently at University College Dublin, where he graduated with a BA degree. He has worked for a wide range of media outlets, including news and current affairs programmes in both Irish and English for RTÉ (radio and television). He is a regular commentator on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, and over the years has contributed regularly—in both Irish and English—to various newspapers and publications, including The Sunday Tribune and Foinse.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, along with awards in thirteen (13) other categories, will be presented at the Oireachtas Media Awards’ Ceremony on Wednesday 28th October as part of the wider programme of events during Oireachtas na Samhna 2026 festival in Killarney. The ceremony will be streamed live on www.tg4.ie at 8pm.

See www.antoireachtas.ie

D’fhógair An tOireachtas go mbeadh Buaic-Ghradam Cumarsáide an Oireachtais 2026 á bhronnadh ar iriseoir agus craoltóir atá aitheanta ar dhuine de na tráchtairí polaitíochta is údarásaí sa tír le blianta fada, Cathal Mac Coille. Chaith Mac Coille tréimhsí le RTÉ, ar raidió agus teilifís, mar iriseoir, mar thuairisceoir agus mar láithreoir agus ba é an chéad chomhfhreagraí polaitíochta a bhí ag Teilifís na Gaeilge, (TG4 anois) nuair a bunaíodh an stáisiún in 1996. D’oibrigh sé mar thuairisceoir polaitiúil le RTÉ, i mBaile Átha Cliath agus i dTuaisceart Éireann, rinne sé tráchtaireacht ar mhór-eachtraí polaitiúla a thit amach i Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá agus i dtíortha eile ar fud na cruinne, agus scríobh sé ailt agus colúin don iliomad foilseachán. Tá colún seachtainiúil aige faoi láthair ar www.tuairisc.ie.

Bronntar Buaic-Ghradam Cumarsáide an Oireachtais ar dhuine, eagraíocht nó tionscadal atá ag saothrú go héachtach ar bhonn leanúnach in earnáil na meán cumarsáide Gaeilge agus ag baint torthaí eiseamláireach amach ina réimse oibre.

Dúirt Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, Ceannasaí an Oireachtais: “Cúis áthais don Oireachtas is ea Buaic-Ghradam Cumarsáide 2026 a bheith á bhronnadh ar Chathal Mac Coille. Saothar le háireamh a bhfuil bainte amach aige óna chéad choiscéim isteach i ngort na cumarsáide i lár na seachtóidí. Tá a ghrinn-chumas anailíse, a dhomhain-tuiscint ar chúrsaí polaitíochta agus a chur i láthair soiléir, deisbhéalach, ionraic, le sonrú i ngach gné dá shaothar, san iriseoireacht, sa tuairisceoireacht agus sa chraoltóireacht. Is gradam é seo atá rí-thuillte ag Cathal, agus tréaslaím leis a shaothar eisceachtúil san iriseoireacht agus sa chraoltóireacht thar na mblianta.”

Dúirt Cathal Mac Coille: “Gabhaim buíochas ó chroí leis an Oireachtas as an ngradam an-speisialta seo agus le heagarthóir agus léitheoirí Tuairisc.ie toisc gur dóigh leo gur fiú mo cholún a fhoilsiú agus a léamh.”

Bleá Cliach ó dhúchas é Mac Coille a fuair a chuid oideachais i gColáiste Mhuire, ceann de na meánscoileanna Gaeilge is sine agus iomráití i mBaile Átha Cliath agus, ina dhiaidh sin, i gColáiste na hOllscoile Baile Átha Cliath áit ar bhain sé céim BA amach. D’oibrigh Mac Coille don iliomad meán; cláir nuachta agus cúrsaí reatha i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla le RTÉ (raidió agus teilifís) ina measc; bíonn sé ag tráchtaireacht go rialta ar chláir RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, scríobh sé ailt rialta, i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla, do nuachtáin agus d’fhoilseacháin éagsúla thar na mblianta, ina measc, The Sunday Tribune agus Foinse.

Bronnfar an gradam seo mar aon le trí ghradam déag (13) eile ag an Searmanas Bronnta a bheidh ar siúl Dé Céadaoin, 28 Deireadh Fómhair 2026 ag ceann de mhórócáidí Oireachtas na Samhna 2026 i gCill Airne, Co Chiarraí. Déanfar an ócáid a shruthú beo ar www.antoireachtas.ie; www.tg4.ie ag 20:00.

Tá an gearrliosta do na catagóirí ar fad chomh maith le gach eolas maidir le gníomhaíochtaí uile an Oireachtais le fáil ar láithreán gréasáin na heagraíochta, www.antoireachtas.ie