LAUNCHING the Local Ireland Awards were Jennifer Crowe, Head of Corporate Affairs for the National Lottery, Chair of the Judges Alison O’Connor and Local Ireland Executive Director Bob Hughes.

Talents within local newspapers to be honoured

Published: Wed 4 Jun 2025, 9:45 AM

NEW categories have been included in this year's Local Ireland Media Awards which showcase the work of the local newspaper industry.

Entries are being invited for a record 19 categories, including new awards for Young Journalist of the Year and Political Coverage of the Year.

This year’s awards will be the eighth to be sponsored by the National Lottery, which has its own award for Best Community Journalist.

President of Local Ireland and Managing Director of the Southern Star Seán Mahon said: “I’m delighted that we are adding two new categories to the awards this year – the Young Journalist of the Year Award will recognise the strength in depth of talent within local news publishers and the Political Coverage of the Year award underlines the great work that we do in covering local politics.

“I want to thank the National Lottery for their continuing support as our headline sponsor, which has helped us grow and evolve these awards that recognise the important work that our journalists do.”

National Lottery Head of Corporate Affairs Jennifer Crowe said: “Local media plays a vital role in informing, inspiring and empowering people through powerful storytelling that reflects the heart of our society.

“At the National Lottery, we deeply align with these values, and champion them through the funding raised for thousands of Good Causes across Ireland.

“We are immensely proud of our ongoing partnership with the Local Ireland Media Awards, which honour outstanding journalists and media professionals who bring to light the stories that might otherwise go unheard, stories of remarkable individuals, events, and initiatives that shape our communities. We look forward to celebrating the exceptional work of local media once again.”

Chair of the Judging Panel, journalist and broadcaster Alison O’Connor said the awards recognise the excellence of the work done by reporters in regional newspapers.

"Each year the entries reflect the very high standard of that work done by those journalists. It is an honour to chair the judging panel and this year that stellar line up will be joined by two new judges – RTÉ Upfront presenter Katie Hannon and DCU lecturer Conor Tiernan,” said Alison.

Entries close on June 27 and the shortlist will be announced in August.

The awards take place in the Mullingar Park Hotel, September 11 with RTÉ Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan as host.