Co-founder / Writer
Niall McKay
Niall McKay is a writer and co-founder of Media Factory whose career has spanned journalism, documentary, drama and radio.
Niall has stepped back from journalism and media to concentrate on writing and psychotherapy.
Niall graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in English and Classical Civilisation. He also holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Limerick, where he graduated with first-class honours. He is currently studying psychotherapy.
His film work includes The Bass Player: A Song for Dad, a personal documentary about family, memory and music, and The Ferry, which he wrote and directed. His work also extends to playwriting with The Uncertainty Principle, a darkly funny play about death, delirium and denial.
Niall was writer, cinematographer and producer on The Delano Manongs, and director, writer and cinematographer on Sikhs in America, which won a 2009 California Emmy. His work with Media Factory brought together personal storytelling, historical documentary and public-service broadcasting.
During his journalism career, his articles appeared in The New York Times, The Irish Times, Wired and The Economist. His radio work aired on NPR, BBC World Service and RTE, and he reported on the Northern Ireland peace process for PBS Frontline World.
His audio work includes hosting Living With PSC for PSC Partners Seeking a Cure. Launched in 2018, the podcast brings together patient stories, conversations with clinicians and researchers, and reflections on living with illness and uncertainty.
Niall also wrote the short documentary films directed by Marissa Aroy for How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Selected work
The Uncertainty Principle: Writer
Living With PSC: Host / Moderator
How Can You Forget Me: Writer of the exhibition films
Irish Screen America: Founder / Programmer
The Ferry: Writer / Director
The Bass Player: Director
The Delano Manongs: Writer / Cinematographer / Producer