LOCAL IRELAND MEDIA AWARDS 2025 – NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
Nominations for this year’s Local Ireland Media Awards have been announced following a record number of entries.
More than 700 entries were made for this year’s awards which introduced two new categories for Political Coverage of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year.
The awards are now in their tenth year with its headline sponsors the National Lottery on board for the eighth time. This year’s awards have also received support from Coimisiún na Meán.
President of Local Ireland and Managing Director of the Southern Star Seán Mahon said:
“This year’s Local Ireland Media Awards have seen record entries again from talented journalist, digital and commercial local newspaper personnel across Ireland,
which just goes to show how people in our industry view the prestige associated with winning a category.
I don’t envy our judges who have a challenging job deciding on the winners due to the high quality of entries.
I’d also like to thank the National Lottery for their continued support of these awards. Working together is a great fit because both the National Lottery and all our local newspaper members are passionate about supporting local communities.”
The National Lottery has its own special category for Community Journalist of the Year.
Jennifer Crowe, Head of Corporate Affairs for the National Lottery, said:
“The stories shortlisted for this year’s National Lottery category are a testament to the strength and spirit of communities across Ireland.
Through the lens of local journalism, we see the heart of our society, people coming together, overcoming challenges, and making a difference.
It’s an honour to help recognise these powerful community stories.”
Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó’Domnhaill said:
“Coimisiún na Meán prioritises the availability of high-quality journalism and we are delighted to support the upcoming Local Ireland Media Awards,
to recognise the talent and commitment of local newspapers and their work supporting and informing local communities.
We believe access to good quality and trustworthy news for all citizens is critical for a well-functioning society and so far, our journalism schemes have funded almost €2.2 million to Local Ireland members across the country.
Coimisiún na Meán will continue to support the sector with the announcement of further journalism schemes later this year.”
Nineteen categories reflecting the best of journalism, photography, design, digital initiatives and sales creativity are part of the judging process.
A special award for Lifetime Achievement is also made on behalf of the members of Local Ireland.
Chair of the judges, author, journalist and broadcaster Alison O’Connor said:
“These awards highlight the excellence and diversity of local journalism.
Picking winners in the different categories is always a challenging task for the judges – from the sharpness of the news stories to the well-crafted features, interviews and columns.
All told, the standard shows how well communities around the country are served by their local newspapers.”
Joining Ms O’Connor on the judging panel are 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, journalist and author PJ Cunningham,
novelist and newspaper columnist Dr Martina Devlin, Policy Editor of the Business Post Daniel Murray, RTÉ journalist and presenter Katie Hannon,
Deputy Night Editor of the Irish Sun Gerry McCarthy and DCU lecturer Conor Tiernan.
Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the Mullingar Park Hotel on September 11.
Host for the evening will be RTÉ and Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan.
LOCAL IRELAND MEDIA AWARDS – NOMINATIONS 2025 [Download PDF List]
Columnist of the Year
- Áilín Quinlan The Echo Speeders, louts and litterbugs on our roads
- Darren Hassett The Nationalist (Clonmel) I’m afraid to write this column
- Fr Liam Power Waterford News and Star Church must reassess formation programmes
- Paul Hopkins The Meath Chronicle Why we need to talk about growing older
Feature Journalist of the Year
- Louise Doyle Donegal News Where is the pathway to care?
- Owen Ryan Clare Champion A tragedy waiting to happen
- Seamus Enright Anglo-Celt Tainted Kilnacrott heads in a new direction
- Maria O’Rourke The Nationalist Living Over the Shop
Best Photograph
- Gerry Shanahan Meath Chronicle Ben Hurl
- John Kelly Clare Champion Storm Ashley
- Ray Ryan Tuam Herald Raising the bar
- Alex Coleman The Anglo-Celt A new adventure begins
Best Use of Photography
- Connaught Telegraph Lawless and Keogh take Mayo Politics by storm
- Mayo News Thirteenth Sea2Summit in Westport
- Meath Chronicle Star Attraction
- The Nationalist Máirín Reaches New Heights
Young Journalist of the Year
- Darragh Murphy Waterford News and Star Have you donated to the house of horrors?
- Robert Kindregan Westmeath Examiner Bláthnaid Raleigh avoided Mullingar for years
- Amy Campbell The Echo Anti-social acts on trains
- Hannah Cahill Leinster Express Why are young people in Laois leaving?
Best Supplement
- Where West Connacht Tribune/Clare Champion
- Pride of the Déise Waterford News and Star
- All Ireland Hurling Champions Clare Champion
- Taking Over Paris Southern Star
Best News Series
- The Echo Donal O’Keeffe Cork City Council ‘failing most vulnerable tenants’
- Meath Chronicle. Gavan Becton and Ann Casey Tara Mines return to work.
- Clare Champion Dan Danaher Country Girl Comes Home
- Galway City Tribune. Denise McNamara Sitting in traffic for ‘four days a year’
Sports Journalist of the Year
- Owen Ryan Clare Champion
- Ryan Ferry Donegal News
- Ian Cooney Roscommon Herald
Political Coverage of the Year
- Limerick Leader
- The Clare Champion
- The Anglo-Celt
- The Southern Star
Best Sustainability Journalist
- Kate Ryan The Echo Food Sustainability in practice
- Damian McCarney Anglo-Celt Farming sustainability
- Dara Bradley Connacht Tribune Fish Farm Escape
- Sally Harding Meath Chronicle Mornington Dunes
Best Local Advertisement
- Meath Chronicle John Lynch Carpets
- Munster Express Garden Morris Estate
- Connacht Tribune Galway Bay Resort
- Westmeath Independent Petstop Opening PAWTY
Best Advertising Campaign
- The Anglo-Celt Farnham Estate
- Roscommon Herald The Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygeneration
- Westmeath Examiner Expert Mullingar – Step into Spring Savings
Best News Story
- Owen Ryan The Clare Champion ‘Take those tablets and you will die’
- Donal O’Regan Limerick Leader Driver ignored mother’s plea to hand himself in after killing man
- Louise Doyle Donegal News Council spends €25,000 on ‘watching brief”
- Darragh Murphy Waterford News and Star Have you donated to the house of horrors’?
Best Use of Digital
- Southern Star Olympics coverage
- Offaly Live Cherish the Moment
- Limerick Leader Local elections coverage
- Nenagh Guardian Anna Powell videos
Best Innovation
- Southern Star Use of QR codes
- Lives Remembered Meath Chronicle
- Southern Star Email newsletters
- Connaught Telegraph Business Supplements Series
Best Diversity Journalist
- Navjyoti Dalal Westmeath Independent Home is Where the Hearth Is
- Patrick Flaherty Tuam Herald Overcoming adversity to make it in the music world
- Elizabeth Garner and Jim Hynes Connacht Tribune People power helps to keep Ukrainians in the community
- Andrew Hamilton Clare Champion Is it safe to be gay in Clare?
National Lottery Community Journalist of the Year
- Linda Spillane Miles for Mimi Munster Express
- Ann Casey and Sally Harding Meath Chronicle Monster Tractor Run
- Siobhán Holliman Tuam Herald Milltown museum a leading light
- Sharon Dolan D’Arcy Clare Champion Sensory garden in full bloom
Best Headline
- Southern Star Mná-some
- Laois Nationalist Stanley Knifed
- Connacht Tribune Gaillimh Ogbú!
- Tipperary Star Bullet of a shot
Best Front Page
- Connaught Telegraph Lawless and Keogh take Mayo politics by storm
- Meath Chronicle Death of a Statesman
- Connacht Tribune Bringing water to an island
