Meath Chronicle scoops six nominations for Local Ireland Media Awards
The shortlist of nominees for the eighth Local Ireland Media Awards has been announced with Meath Chronicle picking up nominations in six of the 14 coveted categories.
The 2023 competition will be the sixth to be sponsored by the National Lottery, which has its own award for Best Community Story.
Meath Chronicle has been shortlisted for:
BEST NEWS SERIES
Meath Chronicle / Ukrainians in Meath, Ann Casey
SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Meath Chronicle / Jimmy Geoghegan
BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Meath Chronicle / Ashling Murphy vigils coverage
BEST USE OF DIGITAL
Meath Chronicle / Inside Meath’s Rest Centre for Ukrainian Refugees
BEST ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Meath Chronicle / Versatile Bathrooms
FEATURE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Meath Chronicle / Safe Haven, Gavan Becton
President of Local Ireland and Head of Irish Times Regionals, Dan Linehan said: “We are delighted with the number and quality of the entries in this year’s Local Ireland Media Awards.
“It reflects 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 very much 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.”
Editor of Meath Chronicle, Gavan Becton said he was delighted to receive word of the six nominations for the title and said they reflected the "hard work, dedication and determination to produce high quality local and impactful journalism on a daily and weekly basis."
"It's a great boost for a hard working team here in Meath Chronicle and also a recognition of the work done by local and regional titles across the country and I want to pay tribute to all those nominated and wish them well, while also thanking Local Ireland and National Lottery for their continued support of our industry."
Executive Director of Local Ireland, Bob Hughes, said that more than 400 entries had been received across 14 categories recognising excellence in journalism, photography, digital content, advertising, sales, design and innovation.
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.
Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala event at Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, on Thursday September 21st.
THE FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS
BEST PHOTOGRAPH
The Anglo-Celt
Lorraine Teevan, Happy Campers
Connacht Tribune
Joe O’Shaughnessy, Frosty Handshake
The Clare Champion
John Kelly, Storm Approaches
The Tuam Herald
Ray Ryan, Sweet Success
BEST LOCAL ADVERTISEMENT
Connaught Telegraph
Ireland West Airport
Nenagh Guardian
Nenagh Children’s Film Festival
The Anglo-Celt
Cavan Credit Union
Connaught Telegraph
Coillte
BEST INNOVATION
Connaught Telegraph
National Museum of Ireland Partnership
The Anglo-Celt
Leona Maguire Wraparound
Southern Star
West Cork Farming Awards
BEST NEWS SERIES
The Anglo-Celt
Cavan Hydrotherapy Pool, Eddie Butler
Meath Chronicle
Ukrainians in Meath, Ann Casey
Mayo News
Crisis in Western Care Services, Edwin McGreal
Southern Star
Campaign to Save Gougane Barra, Kieran O’Mahony
BEST SUPPLEMENT
Southern Star
Death of a Legend
Tuam Herald
Women Who Dared
Longford Leader
Longford 125
The Echo
Cork Jazz Festival
SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Clare Champion
Dan Danaher
Roscommon Herald
Ian Cooney
Meath Chronicle
Jimmy Geoghegan
Western People
Anthony Hennigan
BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Connacht Tribune
The Tree of Us
Meath Chronicle
Ashling Murphy
Tuam Herald
Connaught GAA Air Dome
The Nationalist
Dillon Quirke 1998-2022
BEST USE OF DIGITAL
Southern Star
Star Sport Podcast
The Anglo-Celt
Go Wild Series
Connaught Telegraph
Climb with Charlie
Meath Chronicle
Inside Meath’s Rest Centre for Ukrainian Refugees
BEST ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Western People
Ballina Community Clean-Up
Connacht Tribune
Wylde Restaurant
Westmeath Examiner
Expert Electrical
Meath Chronicle
Versatile Bathrooms