Eilís wins ‘Feature Journalist of the Year’
There was a huge, warm reception when Westmeath Examiner reporter Eilís Ryan was announced as a winner at the eighth Annual Local Ireland Media Awards in Bloomfield House Hotel on Thursday evening of last week.
Sixteen awards were made, including joint winners for the sponsor’s award for the National Lottery Best Community Story.
Eilís won ‘Feature Journalist of the Year’ for her article on ageing farmers.
She said: “I was genuinely surprised to win, and very honoured. The story was, however, based on the real life experiences of those I interviewed and I am grateful they were happy to share their insights with me – and I’m also grateful to photographer Thomas Gibbons for getting just the right pictures to go with the story.”
The event was hosted by Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan.
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 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 included 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.
Celtic Media Group also won ‘Best Use of Digital’ for the Meath Chronicle; and ‘Best News Series’ for the Anglo-Celt (see page 19).