Rev. Fr Dermod McCarthy
1942 – 2025

Rest in Peace

The Radharc Trust must sadly give notice of the loss of another long-standing friend and colleague, Rev. Father Dermod McCarthy, late of Killiney, Co. Dublin and formerly of Ballinamore Co. Leitrim, on the 22nd October 2025 at Our Lady’s Manor, Dalkey, Co. Dublin, aged 83.

Dermod’s role in the broader history and development of Religious Programming on Irish Broadcast Television was unparalleled. His contributions to the Radharc body of work began in 1965, only three years after the series had first established itself as a respected fixture in TÉ [later RTÉ] schedules. Bringing his enormous personal energies and creative drive to the production unit, he engaged with every aspect of the film making process, quickly becoming a core writer-director on the team. He would deliver some of the series’ most impactful programmes, until 1982, when he became Administrator of the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. Moving on once again in 1991, he was appointed Head of Religious Affairs for RTÉ until his retirement in 2007.
Reluctant to accept the title of “RTÉ’s Chaplain” he preferred to identify his work there more simply – as “pastoral care”.

“A good programme is about broadening people’s views, broadening people’s perspectives, into an aspect of life, an aspect of church, that they would never normally meet”. Dermod McCarthy, interviewed for ‘The Radharc Squad’

His deep interest in Radharc, and latterly the work of the Radharc Trust, remained steadfast and where possible, personally involved. His contributions to the substance and legacy of the Radharc documentaries provided a constant and powerful connection to the committed spirit of the original programme-makers.

The Trust mourns his passing, and among many other things, the loss of his inimitable story-telling, a sample of which can be heard here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/episode-9-fr-dermod-mccarthy/id1075121394?i=1000414258685

We offer our sincere sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Peter Dunn
1932 – 2025

Rest in Peace

It is with great sadness that the Radharc Trust must announce the death of our friend and colleague, Mr Peter Dunn, a long-standing Trustee. Peter passed away peacefully on the 16th of September 2025 in St Vincent’s Hospital Dublin, aged 93 and surrounded by family. He had consoled them, saying he was ready to meet his maker and reunite with his beloved wife, Phil.

Born in 1932, Peter Dunn lived in Dublin 4 all his life. He described himself as a fishmonger, having successfully run the long-established family business, Dunn’s Seafare, for many years. He brought the same great strength, dedication and experience to his work for Radharc; yet it was an inspiring devotion to wife and family that best exemplified his sense of service and selflessness.

Peter was an important part of the Radharc Trust for decades, closely connected to it through his brother, Fr Joe Dunn – a co-founder of Radharc and internationally recognised documentary film-maker. After Fr Joe’s death in 1996, he took up the baton and continued with the weighty task of protecting and promoting the prodigious legacy of the ‘Radharc’ religious documentary collection. It must have been a steep learning curve, to try to master the fine-grain detail of a very different industry, of 35 year’s worth of film and video formats, papers, copyright matters and archive requests. Getting to know a unique collection of over 400 documentary films shot in 75 countries since 1961, Peter brought the fullest measure of his considerable skills and energy to the task, underpinned by quiet determination. He would successfully negotiate funded digital preservation projects in cooperation with RTÉ Archives, the Irish Film Institute, and Coimisiún na Meán. He encouraged new talent and recognised the importance of challenging moral thinking through screenings, film festivals and awards – notably, the Radharc Award at the Fresh Festival and the prestigious biennial Radharc Awards. Peter would personally arrange screenings of Radharc programmes in parish halls and nursing homes, travelling around Dublin City and beyond. Everyone who worked with him was inspired by his gentle and conscientious character.

Peter Dunn was a man of faith. He was a daily Mass goer and Minister of the Word and was always an active member of his parish community at Star of the Sea, Sandymount; he served with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and volunteered on Dublin Archdiocesan Pilgrimages to Lourdes on several occasions. In 2021, his honourable contribution to parish life and his stalwart work for the Radharc Trust was recognised – Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell, on the instruction of Pope Francis, awarded Peter the prestigious Papal Medal – Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

It has been our great privilege to have worked alongside Peter, to witness his clarity and dedication, good humour and powerful belief in the work of the Radharc Trust. We will do our best to honour his vision and service.

We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

THE RADHARC TRUST AWARD
FOR DOCUMENTARY AND HERITAGE

FRESH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2025

The Radharc Trust Award for Documentary and Heritage has a rich history with Fresh, and for many years has been given to young film-makers whose work explores social, religious and cultural themes, in the spirit of the Radharc Documentary programmes. Our Jury looks for a film that offers the audience a deeper understanding of the world. Every year we are impressed by our Nominees’ diverse range of stories and perspectives, high technical quality, and strong passion for addressing issues impacting young people.

Congratulations to our Winners

Cahersiveen Youth Film Group

HOME FROM HOME

In this well made documentary short a group of Ukrainian children share their personal experiences of leaving home in a time of war, finding welcome and a chance to grow in the safety of an Irish community.

L – R: Clint Fitzgerald, Mark Fedan, Sophia Laptenko, Margarita Savynetska, Varvara Fedorovska, Mykhailo Horbachuk

NOMINEES for 2025:

CLIFF EDGE by Grace Gonnelly, Dundalk

THE SEVEN DAY SESSION by Cian Conachy, Cavan

HOME FROM HOME by Cahersiveen Youth Film Group, Kerry

OUR VOICES HEARD by Matthew Haskins, Wexford

BELIEVE by Down Syndrome Youth Kerry Film Group, Kerry

More images here

THE RADHARC AWARDS 2024

Overture of Finalists

Congratulations to all our Winners:

CATEGORY ONE
Broadcast Documentary

WINNER

PATRICK – A YOUNG TRAVELLER LOST

A ground-breaking documentary addressing high suicide rates among the Irish Traveller community, focusing on the devastating story of 12-year-old Patrick McDonagh.
Produced by Alleycats Films – Ed Stobart, Executive Producer. Alan Bradley, Director.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

STARDUST
(Episode 3)

Telling the story of the 1981 nightclub fire which killed 48 young people, this episode covers the knock-on effect a tragedy of this magnitude has on an entire community – from broken relationships, to addictions and even suicides.
Produced by RTÉ – Máire Kearney, Producer and Director.

COMMENDED

INSIDE THE HOSPICE

Dealing with death and grief through unprecedented access to terminally ill patients, Inside the Hospice shows how people can live their best life, right to the end.
Produced by Flawless Films – Sharon Lawless, Producer and Director.

COMMENDED

THE LAST NUNS IN IRELAND

Writer and broadcaster, Dearbhail McDonald explores the role of Catholic religious sisters in Irish life and asks, “what if these are the last nuns in Ireland and will we miss them?”
Produced by Scratch Films – Liam McGrath, Executive Producer. Judy Kelly, Director.

COMMENDED

ONCE UPON A TIME IN NORTHERN IRELAND
(Episode 2)

It’s 1972 in Northern Ireland and community divisions have deepened and intensified. Many working-class Catholic and Protestant communities are in the grip of paramilitary organisations. This episode charts a deteriorating situation in which killings, explosions, intimidation and street disorder become widespread.
Produced by Keo Films and Walk on Air Films – Sian McIlwaine, Producer and Director.

CATEGORY TWO
Streaming Documentary

WINNER

TWO MOTHERS

After losing a baby late in pregnancy, Cathy turned to surrogate Ivanna in Ukraine, who safely carried her twins in 2019. When the war broke out, Cathy felt compelled to cross the border and carry out the family of the woman who had carried hers, knowing Ireland’s law only recognised the birth-mother.
Produced by Invisible Thread Productions – Zlata Filipovic, Producer. Anna Rogers, Director.

See a gallery of all entries here