Celt news and sports team up for four awards this evening
The Celt has been nominated and shortlisted for four major awards at the Local Ireland Awards, which will be announced later this evening.
Sports Editor Paul Fitzpatrick has been nominated in two separate categories, Sports Journalist of the Year and Columnist of the Year for his Cavanman's Diary series.
The Celt is also one of four nominees in the Best News Series category for 'Eden’s Legacy'. That story looks at the tragic death of Eden Heaslip and his family's work to highlight bullying and call for action to tackle the long running issue.
Photographer Alex Coleman has been nominated for Best Photograph for "Threshing it out".
Celt Editor Linda O'Reilly is delighted with the nominations.
"The Celt has been shortlisted across categories in news, sport, photography and colour/opinion for the Cavanman's Diary column. It is a brilliant reflection of the quality that exists throughout the paper in all sections and the brilliant journalists and photographers behind our stories and content.
"It is wonderful to get this recognition and it will be the icing on the cake to take any of the awards this evening. Thanks to our readers and advertisers for their ongoing support."
The prestigious awards, sponsored by the National Lottery, celebrate excellence in local journalism and the regional news publishing industry.
The three columns Paul Fitzpatrick has been shortlisted for in the Columnist of the Year Category are as follows:
Staying Safe in Lockdown, 2031
Trust is the key to media's future
Lifting so much more than just a cup
The three pieces Paul has been shortlisted for in the Sports Journalist of the Year category are as follows:
'You have an opportunity to put a smile on people's faces, to make people proud'
Cavan must adjust to playing without the driving force of the team
President of Local Ireland Declan McGuire said: “We are delighted to have had more than 600 entries this year, which is a record.
“It reflects the huge popularity of the awards and the intense competition to get a nomination.
“We are grateful to the National Lottery for their continued support and I want to thank all our judges for their time in considering so many entries.”
National Lottery CEO Andrew Algeo said: “At the National Lottery, we are so proud of our long-standing partnership with the Local Ireland Media Awards and we are especially looking forward to this year’s in-person event, which will allow us to celebrate the impact that local media has on the communities that they serve."
The judging panel for the awards is chaired by entrepreneur and broadcaster Áine Kerr. She is joined by author and broadcaster 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.
This year’s awards will be held at the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, this evening (Thursday) October 13. Guest Master of Ceremonies will be celebrity sports commentator Marty Morrissey.