New Team to Lead Derry People & Donegal News

The Letterkenny-based Derry People & Donegal  News has recently appointed Laura McMonagle as editor.

Laura becomes the first woman to hold the position in the newspaper’s 120 year history. 

A native of County Kildare, Laura joined the Donegal News in 2017 as a reporter, progressing to the position of News Editor in 2021. She was appointed editor following the retirement of Columba Gill after 25 years at the helm.

A graduate of Dublin City University where she completed a masters in Journalism, Laura has always had a passion for local newspapers. She said it is a privilege to take on the role of editor of a title with such a long and proud history rooted in the community. 

It is an exciting time for the long-standing Donegal newspaper which publishes twice weekly on Monday and Thursday with several new appointments in the newsroom in recent months. The newspaper has also just moved into a new office complex at the Riverside Retail Park in Letterkenny.

Ryan Ferry has been appointed Sports Editor while Conor Sharkey has been appointed to the position of News Editor. Both Ryan and Conor bring a wealth of experience to the roles and will be instrumental, together with the entire staff, in this next chapter for the publication as it continues to provide first class local print coverage while also increasing its digital offering across all platforms.

“I want to congratulate Ryan and Conor on their appointments and I have every confidence they will both do a great job in helping to steer the title forward and maintain it as the best in the county,” said Laura McMonagle. 

The Derry People & Donegal News is part of the North-West News Group that also publishes the Ulster Herald, Tyrone Herald, Strabane Chronicle and Fermanagh Herald.

 Photo Caption: Ryan Ferry, Sports Editor, Laura McMonagle, Editor of the Derry People & Donegal News, and Conor Sharkey, News Editor.