From left Edel Ní Chureáin, Head of Radió na Gaeltachta; Daráine Ní Mhaoilchichíl and Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, President, NUI Galway.

Edel Ní Chuireáin, Head of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, will present the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Gold Medal at a ceremony in the President's Office in the National University of Ireland, Galway today (Monday, 12.30 pm).

Daráine Ní Mhaoilmhichíl has won the Raidió na Gaeltachta Gold Medal for achieving the highest standard on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach in the National University of Ireland, Galway in 2006.

Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, NUI Galway President and Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge's Auditor said at the award "On behalf of the National University of Ireland, I would like to congratulate Daráine on receiving the RTÉ Raidió na Gealtachta Gold Medal for her academic achievements, her exceptional work, her diligence and merit as a student on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach here in the National University of Ireland, Galway".

Daráine is from Co. Meath. She graduated from Dublin City University in 2004 with a Degree in Communications. She spent periods of work experience with the television production company Telegael and with RTÉ. She is currently working as a researcher with RTÉ on The Summer Den. In 2002, she was awarded the ESB/Rehab Young Person of the Year Award and she is a member of the State Council, working in an advisory capacity to the President.

"During the year, Daráine excelled on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach and we were very impressed by her imagination, efforts and energy while she was on the course" said the Administrator of the Aonad Cumarsáide, Rónán Ó Dubhthaigh.

The Gold Medal, sponsored by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, is awarded every year to the person who most excels on the Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach. This course provides students with practical experience in radio and television as well as training in the Irish language, Law and Computer Skills. The students' whole development throughout the course is taken into consideration as well as their academic achievements.

The Ard-Dioplóma i gCumarsáid Fheidhmeach, being held by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, was established thirteen years ago and former winners of the Gold Medal are working with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta as well as other organisations such as TG4, RTÉ (in radio and television), BBC Northern Ireland and Ros na Rún.