Fourth-year journalism students at the University of Limerick stepped into the fast paced world of broadcast production on Wednesday, March 25, as they took part in the annual “Broadcast Day”.
This hands on experience is designed to simulate a real news broadcast environment.
The students were guided by UL lecturer Fergal Quinn and professional cameraman Matt Kelly.
They were also supported by RTÉ News cameraman Micháel Mac Suibhne, whose industry experience proved invaluable throughout the day.
Matt Kelly, who has worked on numerous national and international assignments and contributed to productions for TG4 and RTÉ, helped students navigate both the technical and editorial demands of broadcast television.
Reflecting on the project, he said “When we started, we said we didn’t just want to see the 6 o’clock news, and after today, I think we will have a great bulletin.”
The student-produced programme, Limerick Lens, featured a variety of news packages, including stories on Seachtain na Gaeilge, new facilities at the Univeristy of Limerick, and the Limerick pub starring in Heineken’s latest short film; ‘The Pub That Refused To Die’.
Students took on a variety of roles such as presenters, director, auto-cue and crew.
Shauna O’Mahony, a presenter for Limerick Lens, described the experience as intense but rewarding.
“It was a really full on day, but I think everyone had fun. It was great working as a team, everyone put in a really great effort.”
Weather presenter Aoife Cahill also reflected on the experience of being on screen.
“Being in front of the camera was daunting, but there’s no time to dwell on the nerves. It’s all about lights, camera, action.”
Behind the scenes, Jennifer Keating, who worked on lighting and cameras, called the day a “fantastic learning opportunity.”
She said it was “so interesting to work with high-tech, industry standard material” adding that it gave her a valuable insight into everything that goes on behind the scenes.
Rachel Walsh, director of a Limerick Lens said the experience highlighted the effort required to produce a professional broadcast.
“It makes you think about all the work that goes into TV and news. Even though it was stressful, I’m proud of how it went,” she said.
The complete bulletin is available to watch on YouTube here, showcasing the team’s work and marking the culmination of an intense and collaborative day in the newsroom.