People Newspapers win at inaugural Local Ireland Media Awards
PEOPLE NEWSPAPERS hit the headlines at the inaugural Local Ireland Media Awards.
The group’s newspapers in Wicklow and Wexford were shortlisted in three of the nine categories, winning one overall award for a photograph published in the Wicklow People and Bray People.
The awards, open to all 44 members, attracted over 280 entries from local newspapers all over the country.
Arklow photographer Garry O’Neill claimed the top prize in the Photograph of the Year category for his sports shot, ‘Putting your head in where it hurts!’. The picture was published in both the Wicklow People and Bray People.
Bray People reporter Mary Fogarty was shortlisted in the News Story of the Year category for her sensitive coverage in the aftermath of the Carrickmines fire tragedy.
Meanwhile, wexfordpeople.ie was one of just three websites shortlisted for the Best Digital Content award, in recognition of some fine work on digital content by the backroom team at People Newspapers, and in particular reporter Esther Hayden.
The judging panel for the inaugural Local Ireland Media Awards comprised Professor John Horgan, former Press Ombudsman (chair); Eugene McGee, former Managing Editor, Longford Leader and GAA columnist, Irish Independent; Tom Lawlor, Photographer, formerly Irish Times; Andrew Sinclair, Deputy Managing Director, OMD and Maeve Kneafsey, CEO, Elucidate.
Speaking after the awards, Professor John Horgan, Chairman of the panel of adjudicators, complimented ‘ this extraordinary network of Irish regional newspapers for their initiative in devising and promoting this competition.
‘ The number of the entries, and their strength, is a powerful indicator – if proof were needed – of the vitality and importance of this section of Irish media’.
Congratulating Garry, Mary and the digital team, People Newspapers Group Editor Jim Hayes said the success of the group at the awards demonstrated ‘ the strength and relevance of the group’s titles, in print and online’.
‘ This is a vote of confidence in the efforts of all our staff and contributors who help maintain our position as the leading local media outlet in counties Wexford and Wicklow.’