LOCAL IRELAND MEDIA AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED 2023
Winners in the 8th Local Ireland Media Awards announced
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 Western People Editor Terry Reilly for his outstanding contribution to journalism and his community in Mayo.
The ceremony was hosted by Lyric FM presenter and Eurovision guru Marty Whelan.
The winners were 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 Sweet Success
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 ensure 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.
A video of the evening can be viewed by clicking the panel below.
