Tony Doyle Award

Tony Doyle in character as Brian Quigley in Ballykissangel with his tweed hat — Tony Doyle (1942 – 2000) in character as Brian Quigley in Ballykissangel.

As a crime writer, I’m particularly happy to have a chance to learn from a team which is producing some of the most interesting and exciting UK crime series on TV at the moment.
— Brian McGilloway

The Tony Doyle Award was established in 2001 in memory of Tony Doyle; one of Ireland’s foremost television actors who starred in many BBC, ITV and RTE dramas, including for the BBC - Ballykissangel; Amongst Women and Between the Lines.

Launched by BBC Northern Ireland Drama in conjunction with BBC Writers, the aim of the Award was to encourage Irish writers to write for television - the medium in which Tony Doyle had his greatest success. The award winner(s) received a Writer in Residence opportunity with BBC Drama in Northern Ireland for a period of six months; a department which has produced The Fall, Line of Duty 1&2, From There to Here and Jamaica Inn.

Brian McGilloway from Londonderry was the 2014 award winner receiving a £2,000 cash prize and the position of Writer in Residence at BBC Northern Ireland for six months. During that time he gained an introduction to the world of television drama.

The judges also acknowledged Eoin O’Connor’s huge achievement in writing “30 Eggs” (which has subsequently been broadcast on BBC Radio 4) and presented him with a cash prize of £1000. BBC Northern Ireland also nurtured his development and talent as a TV writer.

30 Eggs was been shortlisted for the 2016 Imison Award for the best original script by a writer new to radio.