A RADIO documentary about the school stand-off in Kilfinane in November 2012 has this week won a gold medal at the prestigious New York Festivals Awards.
‘Take No More’, by Kilfinane-based production firm Grey Heron Media, captured the dramatic scenes when sub-contractors began stripping fittings from the local national school following a payment dispute with the main contractor.
The documentary follows the local community’s struggle as parents blocked the entrance to the school to prevent the sub-contractors from taking away any more fittings before the situation was eventually resolved.
‘Take No More’ faced competition from a wide number of entries from over 28 countries; it was first broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 last December.
The documentary was produced by Diarmuid McIntyre, Mary McDonnell and Mairead O’Connor of Grey Heron for RTÉ Radio One’s Documentary on One.
Sound supervision was carried out by RTÉ’s Liam O’Brien.
A statement from Grey Heron Media said: “Although, on the surface, the story of the documentary is a very local one, an account of a small community struggling to survive in the midst of economic hardship, this local story has many national and international resonances, as evidenced by the gold medal award in New York.
“’Take No More’ not only highlights the strains that the international recession is placing on local communities on the ground, but it also demonstrates the power of community spirit and the importance of the community ties which bring people back together.”
