Reporter from The Echo wins at Local Ireland Media Awards

The work of a journalist from The Echo has been recognised at the 2023 Local Ireland Media awards.

Donal O'Keeffe won Best Community Story for a heartwarming piece titled: 'Ukrainians proud to help their new home Fermoy'.

President of Local Ireland Dan Linehan describes the awards as “an occasion for us as an industry to acknowledge and pay tribute in a formal manner to our colleagues in producing content in print and online that is best in class.” 

In Donal’s award-winning article, he spoke about how the Fermoy Tidy Towns committee had welcomed over a dozen new members who had just moved to the town after fleeing Ukraine.

He interviewed Fermoy Tidy Town chairperson and local county councillor Noel McCarthy, as well as sixteen-year-old Violetta Kit, who interpreted for her mother Yulia, explaining that they had been living in the town for just two weeks and wanted to repay some of the kindness they had been shown.

Speaking about his win, Donal said: “This is a huge honour, and I’m delighted. The article was about Fermoy Tidy Towns, and how its volunteers have welcomed new arrivals to the town, offering them a sense of purpose in their new home and an opportunity to meet new friends.

“Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed to the North Cork town over the past year and have successfully integrated into the local community.

“Now, Fermoy Tidy Towns is offering a similar welcome to people who have come to Ireland seeking international protection, and the local volunteers say they are delighted with the response they have received.

“Organisations like tidy towns are often at the heart of their local communities, and as a local paper, The Echo has the great privilege to report such wonderful work.” 

Editor of The Echo Gráinne McGuinness said: “Donal is a passionate and dedicated journalist, and in the last year he has dedicated considerable time to covering the issues facing Ukrainians who have come to Cork and written about their welcome in our local communities. It is great to see Donal's work on this subject recognised and everyone in The Echo is delighted for him.

"The Local Ireland Media Awards celebrate the best of regional journalism in Ireland and we are thrilled to be celebrating Donal's win and our three other nominations, a testament to the work of all our journalists, editors and columnists."