Two Mayo recipients at prestigious national media awards
There were great celebrations at the Bloomfield House Hotel near Mullingar with the announcement of the winners for the 8th Annual Local Ireland Media Awards.
Sixteen awards were made, including joint winners for the sponsor’s award for the National Lottery Best Community Story.
A special Lifetime Achievement presentation was made to former editor of the Western People Terry Reilly for his outstanding contribution to journalism and his community in Mayo.
The Connaught Telegraph scooped the accolade for Best Local Advertisement in respect of a promotion for Ireland West Airport Knock.
The ceremony was hosted by Lyric FM presenter and Eurovision guru Marty Whelan.
The president of Local Ireland and Head of Irish Times Regionals, Dan Linehan, said the awards “reflect the professionalism, quality and skillset across the newsrooms of regional newspapers in Ireland who provide the highest quality local news and sports coverage in print and online every day and every week to our readers.
“We also appreciate the work of our judges, who, with their experience and personal skills, ensure that these awards are judged to the highest standard and that they are a benchmark for quality journalism in Ireland.
“Finally, we thank the National Lottery for their continued support for the Local Ireland Media Awards – this partnership allows us to recognise the work of journalists across the country working in local regions and servicing their communities.”
Chair of the judges, journalist, author and broadcaster Alison O’Connor said: “This year’s entries show the excellent quality of regional journalism that exists in Ireland.
“From front pages to news stories, to columnists, features and photographs, readers are so well served by their local publications.
“There is breadth and depth across the range, from the hard-hitting news articles to the softer features – all giving an important insight into the heart of our local communities.
"Picking just a few nominees for each category was often a highly challenging task. But those nominated show the many examples of excellence to be found in regional publishing.”
The judging panel also includes broadcaster and journalist Dearbhail McDonald, Emeritus Professor at TUD Michael Foley, Dawn Wheatley of DCU School of Communications, managing director of Kinetic Ireland Andrew Sinclair, photographer and former Irish Times picture editor Frank Miller, broadcaster and writer Valerie Cox, and journalist and author PJ Cunningham.
See: https://localireland.info/gallery/
The full list of award winners is as follows.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Terry Reilly, The Western People
BEST NEWS STORY:
Gearoid Keegan,
The Tullamore Tribune
Former suspect in Ashling Murphy murder feels “terrible” for family
BEST FRONT PAGE:
Miracle Escape, The Connacht Tribune
COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR:
Jacqueline Hogge
The Whole Hogge, The Tuam Herald
Shattering the silence is the only way to tackle gender violence
NATIONAL LOTTERY BEST COMMUNITY STORY: JOINT WINNER
Jessica Quinn, The Clare Champion
Mná – Some place of welcome for all
NATIONAL LOTTERY BEST COMMUNITY STORY: JOINT WINNER
Donal O’Keeffe, The Echo
Ukrainians proud to help their new home Fermoy
FEATURE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:
Eilís Ryan, The Westmeath Examiner
Ageing Farmers
BEST ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN:
The Connacht Tribune
Wylde Restaurant
BEST USE OF DIGITAL:
The Meath Chronicle
Inside Meath’s Rest Centre for Ukrainian Refugees
BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
Joe O Shaughnessy, The Connacht Tribune
The Tree of Us
SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:
Ian Cooney, The Roscommon Herald
BEST SUPPLEMENT
Women Who Dared 2, The Tuam Herald
BEST NEWS SERIES
Eddie Butler, The Anglo-Celt
Cavan Hydrotherapy Pool
BEST INNOVATION
The Southern Star
West Cork Farming Awards
BEST LOCAL ADVERTISEMENT
The Connaught Telegraph
Ireland West Airport
BEST PHOTOGRAPH
Ray Ryan
The Tuam Herald
PHOTO: Pictured at the ceremony were, from left, Frank Mulrennan, CEO of Celtic Media Group, Tom Kelly, editor, The Connaught Telegraph (winners of the award for Best Local Advertisement), Terry Reilly, Ballina, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and the president of Local Ireland and head of Irish Times Regionals, Dan Linehan