LETTERKENNY academic, Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin, has been awarded the 2026 NovaUCD Consultancy of the Year Award for her ground-breaking research on Irish language revival.
As UCD College Principal, Dean of Arts and Humanities and Chair of Modern Irish and Literature, Professor Uí Chollatáin led a team that conducted a comprehensive study of Irish-language media, providing strategic recommendations to enhance content, engagement and cultural representation across Ireland.
The award recognises the project’s significant impact on promoting the Irish language as a central component of contemporary media and society.
With support from ConsultUCD, Professor Uí Chollatáin and her team won a tender from Coimisiún na Meán to conduct a 12-month study reviewing the current Irish language media landscape and providing recommendations for its development.
The study aimed to enhance Irish language media content for audiences both North and South and examine the cultural diversity of existing media output.
The review examined how Irish language media represents aspects of Irish life, including culture, language, education and public discourse. It identified priority actions and strategies to improve the quality and diversity of Irish language media.
Outputs will include strategies for youth engagement, digital media initiatives such as podcasting and social media and content for Irish-medium education and language learners.
The final report has been submitted to Coimisiún na Meán and is expected to be published later this year.
On receiving the award, Professor Uí Chollatáin said, “It is a great honour for me and for the research team to receive this Award. It is a multidisciplinary project which endorses the recognition of the Irish language as an official language in the media sector. The research puts a spotlight on the many possibilities associated with the use of Irish as a communication tool and a working language, embedding the role of the Irish language as central to Irish society and official structures in Ireland, within shared island and European understandings.
“It was a privilege to work with this interdisciplinary team in their various roles in UCD, demonstrating the need for open, communicative, collaborative and modern approaches regarding the use and value of media.”
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said, “We are indebted to Professor Uí Chollatáin and her research team for the great work they have done on this comprehensive review of Irish-language media. This is one of the most significant pieces of research on Irish-language media in a long time, covering a wide range of content and platforms, from television and radio, to print, podcasts and digital media.
“The report provides us with independent, evidence-based information on the great strengths and unique role of Irish-language media, as well as areas where we need to provide additional supports. This research will be an important point of reference for us in the coming years as we develop our policy for the development and promotion of the Irish language in the media, and as we support the Irish-language media sector, and work to increase the visibility of the Irish language in media more broadly.”