Two Echo journalists win at national awards event for local media

Two Echo journalists were honoured at The Local Ireland Media Awards on Thursday night in county Westmeath.

Now in its 11th year, the awards saw a total of 727 entries submitted across 19 categories. 

The winners were announced at a gala dinner hosted by RTÉ presenter Marty Whelan at the Mullingar Park Hotel.

News reporter, Donal O'Keeffe won the category award for Political Coverage of the Year for his series on Fianna Fáil, including an article on the boxing father of Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Donal previously won the Best Community Story award in 2023, for a piece on Ukrainians living in Fermoy, and won the Best News Series award in 2025, for his series on social housing in Cork city.

Mr O’Keeffe said he is “very honoured to receive this award”.

“ The Echo has been at the heart of daily life in Cork for the past 134 years,” said Mr O’Keeffe.

“Those of us who work here are very privileged to be part of that tradition and to be able to tell a small part of the story of our city and county, and sometimes our country.

“Politics and politicians get a bad rap in this country, and while not all of it is undeserved, we’re very fortunate that our political system, for all its many faults, gives us proximity to our representatives which is unheard of in many democracies.

“The media has a vital role to play in our democracy, and getting to write about politics is a great privilege because politics affects everyone; it writes our laws and helps to shape our society.” 

Meanwhile, freelance reporter, Kate Ryan was named Best Sustainability Journalist for her series of articles on sustainable food in Cork.

Kate previously won the Best Sustainability Journalist award in 2024 for her work on alternative proteins.

Ms Ryan said she is “absolutely thrilled” to be recognised for her submissions this year, which included an article about Waste Not Want Not, the Clonakilty-based food waste project.

“I’m so chuffed about winning in this category because it means a lot to me,” said Ms Ryan.

“When it comes to sustainability and making better choices, the easiest way to do that is through food.

“When you connect people with that message through storytelling, it resonates better, and that’s why it means so much to me to highlight people doing amazing work in this space.

“It’s a ripple effect all the way through, and for the people I wrote about in the pieces that got nominated and awarded, it just means the world to them too.

“It’s a brilliant thing to be recognised for, I am absolutely thrilled,” she added.

“I want to say a massive thank you to John Dolan and Mary Corcoran. I’ve been writing for The Echo for up to 12 years at this stage and there’s been nothing but huge support for my ideas from everyone.”

News reporter, Amy Campbell was also nominated in the Young Journalist of the Year category.

Editor of the Irish Examiner and The Echo, John O'Mahony said the awards are "not just a recognition of the calibre of all those nominated and honoured, but also of the continued importance of local newspapers and news organisations".

"Local news is the cornerstone of any functioning and healthy democracy, but it needs to be properly funded and supported at a time when it is most challenged," said Mr O'Mahony.

"Congratulations to Donal and Kate, they've done themselves and The Echo proud.

"These awards are a celebration of the best of local journalism, and everyone in The Echo is thrilled for them both."

There were a total of seven winners across the wider Irish Times Group.

The awards were sponsored by the National Lottery and supported by Coimisiún na Meán.