The Across The Divide team: Patricia Kagodora, Heidar Al Hashimi, Asmeret Teklai, Irene Cvetkovic, Simi Ndlovu, Emmanuela Uche & Dinesh Thapa.

Athlone Community Radio recently took home three national awards at the annual awards ceremony for community radio stations.

The National Craol Achievement Awards were held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Saturday, May 26, last, as part of Craol's flagship national annual conference Féile 2012.

Craol is the representative, coordinating, lobbying, training and support group for Irish Community Radio stations.

Athlone Community Radio's Irish Language drama "Abaigéal is Ainm Dom" received a Merit award. The judges were impressed by the great involvement of students in scripting and performing the play and the musical interludes well-chosen. 'Abaigéal is Ainm Dom' is a radio play by Our Lady's Bower secondary school under the supervision of Joe Keating and in association with Athlone Community Radio 88.4FM. This Titanic-themed drama was written in Irish by the Transition Year students of 2009-2010. Irish language presenter Eugene McGivern and Joe Keating collaborated to hone the script into a radio friendly format. 

Under the category of Social Benefit, "Across the Divide", received an award title of distinction for the Christmas and Easter special edition of the programme.

The judges stated the following "A lovely series, ACR have managed to involve many cultures talking about a common theme. The fact that this programme was made by recently trained volunteers show the quality of the training and the time and dedication shown by the volunteers."

Simi Ndlovu, who is part of the "Across the Divide" team, said that receiving the reward meant a lot to the team.

The Christmas and Easter special presented a plethora of really interesting information on the celebration of customs from Iran, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Bhutan and Eritrea. 

The programme and award showcased the talent in Lissywollen Accommodation Centre. Journalist and Trainer Irene Cvetkovic was responsible for producing the programme.

The Special Volunteer Award went to Cathal McCormack Noel Enright and Noel Breslin. The Judges said "These guys are truly exceptional and well worth an award, people like these are the foundation of Community Radio and show through their support and dedication what Community Radio is all about." They received the award for their continued technical support no matter the day or the hour.