Kildare's Enda Grace appointed producer on RTE's Nationwide

www.kildarenow.comAllenwood man Enda Grace has been appointed as a producer on RTÉ’s Nationwide, one of Ireland’s most iconic and most-watched TV series.

Enda and his Dundara Television & Media team will be covering stories across Kildare, Offaly and Westmeath. For over 30 years, Nationwide has been one of Ireland’s most trusted and best-loved TV programmes, drawing audiences of over 400,000 and consistently ranking among RTÉ One’s top shows.

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A unique living archive of Irish life, it continues to showcase the stories, culture and communities that connect the nation,
and the Irish abroad, to the heart of home. It’s a role he says feels particularly special given his own roots.

“Nationwide has always been about celebrating communities and people,” Enda says.

“To now be able to share stories from my own region, particularly my home county of Kildare, with a huge national audience is
a real privilege.”

It’s the latest step in a career that began more than 30 years ago when a teenage Enda landed his first trainee job on the set of Braveheart. The experience left him star-struck, working alongside Mel Gibson as the film went on to win five Oscars.

Earlier this month, at a special event marking three decades since the film’s release, Enda found himself chatting with Gibson once again. Thirty years later, the iconic movie star surprised him with a warm memory:

“Yes you did. I remember. Enda Grace is a name you don’t forget,” Gibson told him with a smile.

Since those early days, Enda has built an impressive career in television, radio and podcast production. Through his company Dundara Television & Media, he produces the acclaimed podcast Changing Times with broadcaster Mary Kennedy and former President of Ireland Mary McAleese. Guests have included Don Mescall, Eimear Noone, Daniel O’Donnell, Dermot Kennedy, Bertie Ahern and a host of well-known figures, with a third season due to record next year.

The format has also moved to the stage, with a live show set for November and plans for further expansion. He is also preparing to hit the road in September with Mary Kennedy for filming on series four of TG4’s Moving West.

Among his career highlights are producing the Game of Thrones season eight premiere in Belfast for NBC and joining Kennedy and McAleese on stage at Electric Picnic last year, where the tent filled to capacity with queues outside.

Away from production, Enda has written a book about his adoption and career story, due for publication soon. Three years ago, he was reunited with his birth mother, spending six precious months with her before she passed away. In that time, he also discovered three brothers and a sister.

“I’ve been blessed twice in my life — first with my adoptive parents and later through reconnecting with my birth family,” he says. “It hasn’t been without heartbreak, but I carry a lot of gratitude.”

Now in demand as a keynote speaker, Enda shares his story of resilience, drive and determination, from navigating adoption to overcoming personal challenges and building a successful career in media.

Living in Allenwood with his Donegal-born wife Fiona and their ten-year-old twin daughters, Enda says the business can be tough but he is excited for what lies ahead.

“I’ve been lucky to work with incredible people and tell stories that matter. People I could only have dreamed of working with. This business can be demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s on Nationwide, a podcast, or on stage, it’s all about connection. And that’s what keeps me going. We have huge plans ahead with a number of exciting projects in development, and I can’t wait to see where that takes us.”