'A team effort,' as the Tipperary Star and The Nationalist win prestigious awards

Darren Hassett, Regional Editor and Digital Development Director for Iconic Media Group, accepting the awards from Local Ireland Executive Director, Bob Hughes.

placeholder image — Darren Hassett, Regional Editor and Digital Development Director for Iconic Media Group, accepting the awards from Local Ireland Executive Director, Bob Hughes.

The Nationalist took top prize in the category of Best Use of Photography for its 'Darkest of Days' front page while the Tipperary Star shared the spoils when it won in the Best Front Page category for its front page following the passing of Shane MacGowan.

The Tipperary Star and The Nationalist each won prestigious accolades at the Local Ireland Media Awards held in Mullingar last Thursday.

The Nationalist took top prize in the category of Best Use of Photography for its “Darkest of Days” front page while the Tipperary Star shared the spoils when it won in the Best Front Page category for its front page following the passing of Shane MacGowan.

This category was an all Tipperary affair and two trophies were handed out.

There was a tie for Best Front Page and it went to a judges’ vote and it was still tied, so it was decided to hand out two trophies to two winners - and the other winner happened to be the Nenagh Guardian.

Darren Hassett, Regional Editor and Digital Development Director for Iconic Media Group, said: “It’s interesting to look at what goes into winning such prestigious awards.

“It is a huge team effort that epitomises what the papers are about and the collaborative effort that goes into their production each and every week. In the Best Use of Photography category, John D. Kelly’s outstanding work captured a single moment of heartbreak and community togetherness that summed up the tragic Clonmel crash in August of 2023 that claimed the lives of Luke McSweeney, 24, his 18-year-old sister Grace, as well as Nicole Murphy (18) and Zoey Coffey (18).

PICTURED ABOVE: The award-winning front page of The Nationalist

“The Shane MacGowan front page came from the hard work of reporter Ronan Dodd sourcing a picture that not many would have to keep our front page coverage on the passing of The Pogues singer unique.

“That picture, coupled with the lyrics of The Broad Majestic Shannon, made for a beautiful tribute front page to Shane. Both were put together by our Production Hub, led by our Group Head of Production, the talented Damian Moran. So, winning these awards is down to the efforts of the Iconic Media Group team, from Clonmel and Nenagh and all the way to our Print Production Hub in Portlaoise. We’re also delighted to share the spoils with the Nenagh Guardian in the Best Front Page category.”

PICTURED ABOVE: The award-winning front page of the Tipperary Star

The Local Ireland Media Awards - sponsored by the National Lottery - showcase excellence in journalism and the achievements of Ireland’s local news publishers and their staff.