Echo journalists win at national awards event for local media

Two Echo jouranlists were honoured at The Local Ireland Media Awards on Thursday night, winning their categories.

The awards were announced last night at a gala dinner hosted by RTÉ presenter Marty Whelan at the Mullingar Park Hotel. It was the tenth annual awards and saw 21 trophies presented in total. The awards were sponsored by the National Lottery and supported by Coimisiún na Meán.

News reporter Donal O’Keeffe won the Best News Series category for his articles on social housing, while Áilín Quinlan was named Columnist of the Year.

Also, The Echo’s Amy Campbell and Kate Ryan were finalists in the Young Journalist of the Year and Best Sustainability Journalist categories.

Editor John O’Mahony, said: “It's another proud day for the Echo and the continued recognition and success of our journalists is well deserved.

“These awards again underline the important role local newspapers play in the everyday lives of the communities they serve. A strong and supported local media is crucial for a healthy democracy.” 

President of Local Ireland Seán Mahon said: “What a fantastic night! A real celebration of everything that's great about local newspapers in Ireland.

“It was superb to see awards being won not just for news, political and sports reporting but also for special features, investigative journalism, digital innovation and creative advertising solutions.

“Well done to everyone who was nominated and to all our winners. We're privileged to have very talented, committed and passionate people who work for our local newspaper businesses.” 

CEO of the National Lottery Cian Murphy said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Local Ireland Media Awards, which shine a spotlight on the outstanding work of local journalists and regional newspapers.

“With more than 700 entries this year, the standard of journalism was truly first class. Local journalism does more than report the news — it fosters trust, gives communities a voice, and helps shape a shared sense of place and belonging while also informing, connecting, and strengthening communities across the country.

“They play a vital role that reflects the National Lottery’s own commitment to supporting Good Causes and making a positive difference in people’s lives throughout Ireland.” 

Coimisiún na Meán was supporting the awards for the first time this year. 

Media Development Commissioner Rónán O’Domhnaill said: “Coimisiún na Meán is delighted to help support the Local Ireland Awards through our Sponsorship Scheme.

“It was heartwarming and encouraging to see such vibrancy and enthusiasm amongst the members of Local Ireland at the awards.

“A thriving local media landscape is vital to a functioning democracy and in Ireland it is clear that the local newspaper industry is central to that.” 

Judging panel chair, author, journalist and Cork broadcaster Alison O’Connor told the audience: “Local journalism matters enormously. It happens in the courtroom, the council chamber, the parish hall. It captures the highs and lows of community life—the joy of a local sporting triumph, the heartbreak of job losses, the significance of a planning decision that will shape a town’s future.

“And it’s evolving. Stories are being told in fresh ways — through podcasts, TikTok, QR codes — and our increasingly diverse communities are being reflected more and more in the pages of local titles right across the country."

The judging panel also comprised RTÉ presenter and journalist Katie Hannon, DCU journalism lecturer Conor Tiernan, 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, journalist and author PJ Cunningham, novelist and newspaper columnist Dr Martina Devlin, policy editor of the Business Post Daniel Murray and deputy night editor of the Irish Sun, Gerry McCarthy.

Executive director of Local Ireland Bob Hughes said: “The awards reflect the high standards of journalism, production and commercial acumen in local newspapers and their online products right across Ireland.

“Competition for the awards is very strong, so everyone who receives a nomination is a winner. I want to thank the National Lottery for their continued support, Coimisiún na Meán for its support for the event and for our sector, and everyone who helped make the awards a very special event.”