Natural history series with strong Mayo links earns international acclaim

RTÉ One's acclaimed natural history series, Ireland's Wild Islands, has garnered international recognition with nominations at two of the world's leading wildlife film festivals, Wildscreen in the UK and Green Screen in Germany.

Ireland's Wild Islands has already made waves in Ireland, having won Best Specialist Factual Series at this year's RTS Ireland Awards and its success continues.

A Mayo-based production company, Crossing the Line, is behind the series which showcased the stunning wild beauty of the Inishkeas, Achill Island and Clare Island.

At the Wildscreen Festival, series presenter Eoin Warner has been nominated in the On-Screen Talent category for his extraordinary voyage around the coast of Ireland in a Galway Hooker. This deeply personal journey, which aired over three parts on RTÉ One last April and May, was undertaken in memory of Warner's late father, who first introduced him to the wonders of the sea before he tragically passed away.

Wildscreen, known as the largest and most prestigious festival for wildlife filmmakers, celebrates excellence in natural history storytelling. The festival's Panda Awards are often referred to as the 'Oscars of the natural history film world'.

Eoin Warner said: “I'm so honoured to be nominated at Wildscreen, up against such massive international competition, and it's especially gratifying to be a finalist with such a personal Irish project. Our islands are very special places and vital sanctuaries for some of our most precious and wonderful wildlife.”

The Green Screen festival, taking place in Germany, stands as Europe’s most significant event for natural history filmmakers, drawing the world’s top wildlife documentarians. Ireland’s Wild Islands has been short-listed as Best Marine Film.

Produced by Crossing the Line Productions and commissioned by RTÉ’s head of factual content, Colm O’Callaghan, Ireland's Wild Islands is a three-part RTÉ series featuring the hidden worlds and wild creatures of our most remote Atlantic islands and the challenges they face to survive in a rapidly changing world.