The Western Development Commission (WDC) has won the Best Collaboration Award at the 2026 Spider Awards, recognising the success of the TG4 television series Moving West, produced in partnership with TG4, Dundara Productions and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The award was presented at the 2026 Spider Awards ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin, Ireland’s longest running digital awards programme recognising excellence in digital media, technology and online innovation.
Now entering its fourth season, currently in final production, Moving West has become one of the most distinctive storytelling platforms highlighting life, enterprise and opportunity across the West of Ireland. Season four will air on TG4 later this year, with a broadcast date to be announced shortly.
The award recognises the strength of collaboration behind the series, bringing together public bodies, broadcasters, production partners and communities across the region to tell authentic stories about people choosing to live, work and build businesses in the West.
In addition to TG4, Dundara Productions and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, local authorities across the Western Region played an important role in supporting the production of Season 3, working with the Western Development Commission to enable the continuation of the programme and the stories it brings to national audiences.
The series follows individuals, families and entrepreneurs who have chosen to relocate to the West, capturing stories of indigenous Irish startups, small business owners, remote workers connected to global companies, and professionals linked to foreign direct investment who have built their lives and careers in the region.
Many of these stories are identified through the Western Development Commission’s work across communities and businesses throughout the region, where the organisation engages directly with local enterprises, entrepreneurs and community leaders in towns and villages across the seven county region.
Each season, the production team from Dundara Productions travels the length and breadth of the WDC region from Donegal to Clare over a three month filming period, working alongside presenter Mary Kennedy to capture these stories on location.
A key feature of the programme is its use of the Irish language, with Moving West successfully bringing stories of enterprise, innovation and regional development to Irish language audiences across the country.
The programme reflects the diversity of the Western Development Commission region, which spans seven counties along Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard and includes thousands of businesses, entrepreneurs and communities contributing to the region’s growing economic and cultural landscape.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, said:
“I want to congratulate the Western Development Commission and all of the partners involved in Moving West on this well deserved recognition. The programme captures something very important about rural Ireland today. It highlights the growing number of people choosing to live, work and start businesses across our regions, while also showcasing the strength of communities and the opportunities that exist there.”
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, said:
“This award reflects the strength of the collaboration behind the series and the power of storytelling in showing what is happening across the West of Ireland today. Through our work across the region, the WDC meets remarkable people every day. Many of the stories featured in Moving West come directly from those connections, from small business owners and indigenous Irish startups to remote workers and families choosing to build their lives in rural communities. Now entering its fourth season, the programme has created a rich tapestry of stories that show the energy, ambition and creativity that exists across the region. It also demonstrates how the Irish language can carry powerful stories about enterprise, innovation and opportunity to audiences across the country.”
Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General of TG4, said:
“We in TG4 are delighted to collaborate with Dundara and the WDC on Moving West, a series that has connected with audiences through its authenticity, warmth and strong sense of place. The programme highlights people’s desire for connection, community and quality of life, while also showcasing the opportunity and creative energy that exist in the west of Ireland.”
Enda Grace, Producer at Dundara Television & Media, said:
“We are incredibly proud that Moving West has received the Spider Award for Best Collaboration. The series is built on a fantastic partnership between Dundara, the Western Development Commission and TG4, and on the generosity of the people across the West who share their stories with us. I also want to acknowledge the Dundara team who bring enormous care and creativity to every episode, and of course our presenter Mary Kennedy, whose warmth and insight make these stories so engaging for audiences. This award is a celebration of collaboration and of the power of storytelling.”
Mary Kennedy, presenter of Moving West, said:
“One of the great joys of presenting Moving West is travelling across the West of Ireland and meeting the incredible people who have chosen to make their lives there. Their stories are inspiring, surprising and often deeply moving, and the programme shines a light on the warmth, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in communities across the region.”
About Moving West
Moving West is a TG4 television series produced by Dundara Productions in partnership with the Western Development Commission and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Filmed across the Western Development Commission region from Donegal to Clare, the programme explores the stories of individuals, families and entrepreneurs who have relocated to the West of Ireland, highlighting the opportunities and quality of life available across the region. The third season of the programme was delivered with the support of local authorities across the Western Region, reflecting a shared commitment to showcasing the people, businesses and communities shaping the region’s future. Season four is currently in final production and will broadcast on TG4 later this year, with the transmission date to be announced shortly.
About the Western Development Commission
The Western Development Commission is a statutory agency established to promote economic and social development across the Western Region of Ireland, covering the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. Through investment, policy research and initiatives such as Connected Hubs, the WDC works to support enterprise, innovation and sustainable regional growth across the Atlantic seaboard.
