Local Ireland Media Awards Nominations Announced
Nominations have been announced for the prestigious Local Ireland Media Awards which recognize and celebrate excellence in regional news publishers.
More than 500 entries were received in 14 editorial and commercial categories across print and digital publications.
Chair of the judging panel Áine Kerr said: “Over the last two years when the world felt chaotic and unpredictable, what was consistent and stable in people’s everyday lives was their local newspaper.
“This year’s nominees demonstrate the capacity of local Irish newspapers to rise to meet unprecedented challenges and provide public service-driven and quality journalism. The nominees represent the very best of local Irish journalism today.”
The awards, which are sponsored by the National Lottery, will be held on Thursday November 11th at Bloomfield House Hotel, near Mullingar.
National Lottery Chief Executive Officer Andrew Algeo said: “At the National Lottery, we are incredibly proud of our association with the Local Ireland Media Awards which continue to recognise the important role of local journalism in our society.
“Local media in Ireland has a long and proud tradition of producing trusted and outstanding journalists and these awards rightly recognise these journalists and their colleagues who perform a vital public service through ground-breaking reporting at a time when we need it most.
“This is our fourth year of sponsorship for the Local Ireland Awards and we are particularly honoured to be judging our own special award for the Best Community Story.”
The awards will be presented on the night by the President of Local Ireland, Declan McGuire of the Connacht Tribune.
Mr McGuire said: “Every nomination is an achievement in itself and those named should be rightly proud of reaching the shortlist.
“As the judges have said, the standard of entries has been extremely high. I want to thank and congratulate all those who entered the awards for their contribution to the high standards of professional journalism that we see in all our member titles.
“It is thanks to everyone’s efforts that we continue to play such a valued part in our communities across the country.”
The judges for the Local Ireland Awards are:
Chair Áine Kerr, Co-Founder and COO kinzen.com; Michael Foley, Professor Emeritus, School of Media, Technological University of Dublin: Dawn Wheatley, 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.
LOCAL IRELAND AWARD NOMINEES
Best Photograph:
John Kelly, Clare Champion – The Village Blacksmith
Joe O’Shaughnessy, Connacht Tribune – Off Target
John Kelly, Clare Champion – Pyrite Home
Lorraine Teevan, Anglo-Celt – The Wind that Shakes the Brolly
Best Use of Photography:
Southern Star – Holy Smoke;
Connacht Tribune – Back In Our Bubble
Sligo Champion – Public to the Rescue
Connacht Tribune – Hen-Pecked
Best News Series:
Mayo News – What’s Best for the West
Galway City Tribune – The Miracle of Galway Bay
Wexford People – Home in Our Hearts
The Kerryman – Help Ronan Get Surgery
Best Local Advertisment:
Connacht Tribune – Athenry Credit Union
Connacht Tribune – Craughwell Furniture
Anglo-Celt – Imagine, Credit Unions
Connacht Tribune – Connacht Hospitality
Best Advertising Campaign:
Meath Chronicle – High Street Ashbourne
Connacht Tribune – Connacht Hospitality
Mediahuis Ireland Regionals – E-Paper
Best Use of Digital:
Waterford News and Star – The Family Who Beat the Virus
Meath Chronicle – Navan’s Rough Sleepers
The Limerick Leader – Coaching Insights
Meath Chronicle – Local Hero Awards
Best Use of Social Media:
Drogheda Independent – Promo Videos
Western People – The Night U2 Rocked Ballina
Connacht Tribune – We’re All In This Together
Westmeath Independent – Midlands TV News
Best Innovation:
Wexford People – We Miss You
Connaught Telegraph – Mayo Day
Meath Chronicle – Local Heroes
Mediahuis Ireland Regionals – E-Papers
Sports Journalist of the Year:
Paul Fitzpatrick, Anglo-Celt
Jessica Farry, Sligo Champion
Colin Sheridan, Mayo News
Ian Cooney, Roscommon Herald
Feature Journalist of the Year:
Sally Harding, Meath Chronicle – Rachel’s Transformation
Claire Quinn, Waterford News and Star – COVID-19 and the Déise
James Fogarty, Roscommon Herald – Fr Molloy
Maria Pepper, Wexford People – Parental Alienation
National Lottery Community Story of the Year:
Eamon Lacey, The Nationalist/Tipperary Live – Hugs, Kisses and Tears for Eve as she moves into her New Home
Darragh Kelly and Ellen O’Riordan, Roscommon Herald – Fire Ignites Community Response for Tom
Alison Comyn, Drogheda Independent – Drogheda Doll Plays Her Part
Dan Danaher, Clare Champion – Residents Battle to Protect Homes in Springfield
Best News Story:
Stephen Corrigan, Galway City Tribune – Home are the Heroes
Anthony Hennigan, Western People – Foxford Home Raffled for COVID Heroes
Liam Cosgrave, Longford Leader – CAB, Revenue and the Illegal Wedding
Sinead Kelleher – The Kerryman – Skellig Star Direct Provision Controversy
Best Supplement:
Westmeath Independent – War on the Press
Waterford News and Star – Days Gone By
Western People – Through the Ages
Mayo News – All Ireland
Best Front Page:
Galway City Tribune, Home are the Heroes
Mayo News – Pull Together Stay Apart
The Kerryman – Unprecedented
Connacht Tribune – Bringing Out Our Very Best
