About Curious Dog Films

Adrian’s work covers a broad range of subjects across the arts, sport, politics, music, comedy, social issues, mental health and the ups and downs of life.

His previous documentaries include: the award winning ‘ROUGH RIDER’ film, on controversial Irish journalist and former pro-cyclist, Paul Kimmage. It was described as ‘Remarkable. A superb film, a sad story of unrequited love‘ by The Sunday Independent and ‘Excellently paced, well crafted and beautifully filmed‘ by the Irish Times. The IFTA nominated, ‘PORTRAIT OF A GALLERY’ was filmed over three years inside the walls of National Gallery of Ireland. The Irish Times described it as ‘a brilliant piece of art criticism. In this documentary, the National Gallery gets a depiction worthy of its renovation‘. Adrian produced the highly acclaimed ‘ANTHONY FOLEY – MUNSTERMAN’ on the story of the sudden death of the Munster rugby coach; ‘A moving and uplifting documentary. A poignant tribute’ – Sunday Times. His IFTA winning ‘HIDDEN IMPACT – Rugby and Concussion’ was described as ‘an excellent documentary making for deeply unsettling yet essential viewing‘ by The Irish Times. After his documentary ‘GRAHAM LINEHAN – FUNNY BUSINESS‘, The Irish Times said ‘A cracking profile. It was as assured an hour of television as you’re likely to see all year. Although it’s no surprise given it was the work of Adrian McCarthy. ‘GILBERT O’SULLIVAN – Out On His Own’ a profile of the tenacious songwriter; ‘An honest film about a complex man on a mission to do it his way – Radio Times. Adrian produced and directed ‘SMALL FAR AWAY – THE WORLD OF FATHER TED‘ for Hat-Trick Productions/Channel 4 –  ‘A brilliant documentary‘ The Business Post and given five stars and described as ‘Lovely Stuff‘ by Time Out, London.

In March 2023 we began production on ‘IMOGEN’S CLOSET‘, our 50 minute arts documentary for RTÉ on artist Imogen Stuart and her remarkable life story. Directed by her grandson, film-maker Emile Dinneen, who has been filming her across the last 12 years, working to craft an intimate and insightful portrait of this extraordinary woman and artist. The film will open a door into a childhood growing up in the Second World War in the heart of Nazi Berlin, to a life in the bohemian world of Maud Gonne’s family in Ireland, escaping a difficult marriage in the 1960s to working as a sculptor and single parent in conservative Ireland. Produced by Adrian McCarthy, the film will be editor by Mirjam Strugalla and our Exec Producer in RTÉ  is Aifric Ní Chianáin.

In May 2022 we completed post-production on CLODAGH, our Curious Dog Films arts documentary, funded by RTÉ/BAI, on inspirational New York based designer Clodagh. With Oda O’Carroll on board as director, Matthew Kirrane as DoP and Brenda Morrissey as editor, we filmed in Spain, Ireland and New York. Described as ‘A fantastic documentary’ by The Irish Times.

In 2021, Adrian was the series producer/director on the 3 x 1hour series ‘OUR TOWN‘ following the lives of young people in the seaside town of Bray, Co. Wicklow – produced by Curious Dog Films/Wildfire Films for RTE. Made with a great team that included film editor/writer Brenda Morrissey, producer Oda O’Carroll and co-director Judy Kelly. Described as ‘A beautiful portrait of young people in all their strength, vulnerability and wisdom. A compelling portrait of a town and community‘ by Patrick Freyne in The Irish Times. And, ‘Our Town felt wholly authentic, faithful and heartfelt. An organic and coherent piece of documentary making‘ by Eilish O’Hanlon in The Sunday Independent.